The Willy-Nicky Correspondence (2024)

Page 43 - The object of this war is to deliver the free peoples of the world from the menace and the actual power of a vast military establishment controlled by an irresponsible government which, having secretly planned to dominate the world, proceeded to carry the plan out without regard either to the sacred obligations of treaty or the long-established practices and...‎

Page 85 - Russian-German treaty is only projected, but still unsigned, she will immediately give short notice to her friend (if not secret ally) England, with whom she is bound by "entente cordiale,‎

Page 86 - Is bound by the entente cordiale, and inform her immediately. The outcome of such information would doubtless be an instantaneous attack by the two allied powers, England and Japan, on Germany, in Europe as well as in Asia. Their enormous maritime superiority would soon make short work of my small fleet, and Germany would be temporarily crippled. This would upset the scales of the equilibrium of the world to our mutual harm, and, later on, when you begin your peace negotiations, would throw you alone...‎

Page 44 - ... continent within the tide of blood — not the blood of soldiers only, but the blood of innocent women and children also and of the helpless poor; and now stands balked but not defeated, the enemy of four-fifths of the world.‎

Page 80 - Russia will be kept well out of Manchuria, Korea, etc., so that de facto Japan will get all she wants.' That is the point the British have in their eye when they speak of friendship and friendly mediation. France, as I hear from Japan, is already informed of these plans and, of course, a party to this arrangement, taking, as usual in the new entente cordiale, the side of England. They are going to offer you a bit of Persia as compensation, of course far from the shore of the Gulf...‎

Page 87 - Billow, who guaranteed absolute secrecy. Our mutual relations and feelings would remain unchanged as before, and I shall go on trying to make myself useful to you as far as my safety will permit. Your agreement of neutrality was communicated to me by the Emperor of Austria, and I thank you for your telegram doing the same. I think it very sensible and it has my fullest approval. Best love.‎

Page 119 - As this would at the same time guarantee territory and future existence of dynasty and country, the Danes are slowly resigning themselves to this alternative and making up their minds accordingly. This being exactly what you wished and hoped for, I thought it better not to touch on the subject with Danes and refrained from making any allusions.‎

Page 118 - Danes expect — their inability and helplessness to uphold even shadow of neutrality against invasion being evident — that Russia and Germany will immediately take steps to safeguard their interests by laying hands on Denmark and occupying it during the war.‎

Page 81 - ... the side of England. They are going to offer you a bit of Persia as compensation, of course far from the shore of the Gulf — (a va sans dire — which England means to annex herself, fearing you might get access to the warm sea, which you must by right, as Persia is bound to fall under Russian control and government. This would give either a splendid commercial opening, which England wants to debar you from.‎

Page 87 - That is only possible if your treaty becomes fact before and if we are perfectly d' 'accord under any form. A previous information of France will lead to catastrophe. " Should you, notwithstanding, think it impossible for you to conclude a treaty with me without the previous consent of France, then it would be a far safer alternative to abstain from concluding any treaty at all. Of course I shall be as absolutely silent about our pourparlers as you will be ; in the same manner as you have only informed...‎