WWI: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia telegrams

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.cfact.org/2014/07/28/100-...cky-telegrams/

100 years ago: The Willy — Nicky telegrams

July 28th, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia one month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie. The great powers of Europe began to mobilize their armies.

Two imperial cousins, Czar Nicholas II of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany engaged in a fascinating exchange of telegrams (in English) as their nations teetered on the brink of war.

Peter’s Court Palais, 29 July 1914

Sa Majesté l’Empereur

Neues Palais

Am glad you are back. In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help me. An ignoble war has been declared to a weak country. The indignation in Russia shared fully by me is enormous. I foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the pressure forced upon me and be forced to take extreme measures which will lead to war. To try and avoid such a calamity as a European war I beg you in the name of our old friendship to do what you can to stop your allies from going too far.

Nicky

28 July 1914

Kaiser Wilhelm II

It is with the gravest concern that I hear of the impression which the action of Austria against Serbia is creating in your country. The unscrupulous agitation that has been going on in Serbia for years has resulted in the outrageous crime, to which Archduke Francis Ferdinand fell a victim. The spirit that led Serbians to murder their own king and his wife still dominates the country. You will doubtless agree with me that we both, you and me, have a common interest as well as all Sovereigns to insist that all the persons morally responsible for the dastardly murder should receive their deserved punishment. In this case politics plays no part at all.

On the other hand, I fully understand how difficult it is for you and your Government to face the drift of your public opinion. Therefore, with regard to the hearty and tender friendship which binds us both from long ago with firm ties, I am exerting my utmost influence to induce the Austrians to deal straightly to arrive to a satisfactory understanding with you. I confidently hope that you will help me in my efforts to smooth over difficulties that may still arise.

Your very sincere and devoted friend and cousin

Willy

With the 100th anniversary of World War I coming, I came across this and thought it'd be interesting to share. It's a series of short telegrams from Nicholas to Wilhelm just prior to the outbreak of a terrible war which would result in the overthrow of the German Empire and the creation of the Weimar Republic, and the overthrow of the House of Romanov (with the murder of Nicholas II and the imperial family) and the creation of the Soviet Union.

Click the link above to view the rest of the telegrams, they're only short and an interesting read.

Thoughts?

[GommeInc]

Nicholas II looks a lot like George VI. Quite interesting telegrams. I think one of the history museums is expecting to release a lot of letters (or just the key ones) that were exchanged between PMs and George V, and other countries.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Nicholas II looks a lot like George VI. Quite interesting telegrams. I think one of the history museums is expecting to release a lot of letters (or just the key ones) that were exchanged between PMs and George V, and other countries.

King George V you mean?

And even stranger, Prince Michael of Kent looks the spit of the two. So much so that the Russians often have him over.

Lord Frederick Windsor looks exactly the same as King George III even. It's insane.

[GommeInc]

King George V you mean?

And even stranger, Prince Michael of Kent looks the spit of the two. So much so that the Russians often have him over.

Lord Frederick Windsor looks exactly the same as King George III even. It's insane.

Hmm, I suppose George V is more to his likeness. There are quite a few similarities with George VI, but his face is a bit thinner than the Tsar's. Is there any blood relation between the two? I don't recall there being a Russian connection but my knowledge on the Royal bloodline only takes a Western European outlook