1 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:22,399 ls this it? - This is it, Foreign Secretary. 2 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,319 Crowe's aIready here? - He arrived twenty minutes ago, sir. 3 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:29,559 Oh for God's sake. 4 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,959 Sorry your weekend has been ruined, sir. - Well, yours too, Alec. 5 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,799 Austria's mad. l should issue a communiqué saying just that. 6 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,679 Good afternoon, Foreign Secretary. 7 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,159 'Britain says Austria mad. Official!' 8 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:51,959 l was embarrassed to read the Serb note. lt was was Iike seeing a servant cringe. 9 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:53,199 lt was submissive. 10 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:56,919 Serbia has agreed to practically every demand Austria makes of her 11 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:58,639 and gets this in return. 12 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:01,039 Oh, it's a grotesque diplomatic exchange, Foreign Secretary. 13 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,959 What does Austria want? I mean what does she want? 14 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,759 It is sometimes better to forget everything we think we know and Iook instead 15 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,919 at what is staring us in the face. Austria doesn't want to talk. 16 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:13,879 She wants a war in the BaIkans. 17 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,839 I want to speak to that idiot Mensdorff. 18 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,159 Get the Austrian ambassador. - Yes sir. 19 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,999 l tell you its not often you see the Foregin Office in disarray 20 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:27,679 but it was this day. 21 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:32,519 Four weeks ago we discovered that the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the 22 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:37,879 Austrian throne, had been assassinated whiIe on a visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia. 23 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,919 The assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a Serb nationalist who beIieved 24 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,319 that acts of terror wouId drive the Austrians out of the BaIkans. 25 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,079 But student fanatic, a non-entity... 26 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:54,999 ls this important enough to disturb the Foreign Secretary? 27 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:55,919 No. 28 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,719 What position would Britain take if a conflict wouId break out 29 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:00,999 between Austria and Serbia? 30 00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:04,519 Well l suppose it doesn't take much to set the Balkans on fire. 31 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,879 In Berlin it was frantic too. 32 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:13,199 Austria was our ally and Franz Ferdinand was a personal friend of our Kaiser. 33 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,359 There is no crime greater. 34 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:20,039 The Hapsburg Empire had been crumbling for years. 35 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,439 And now the Kaiser said that had to stop. 36 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:26,439 Serbia must Iearn to fear the Hapsburgs again. 37 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,319 The Kaiser toId our Austrian friends to punish the Serbs. 38 00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:34,639 They sent a long list of demands instead. 39 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,599 We got them in London, and what extreme demands they were. 40 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,639 This is an astonishing ultimatum. 41 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,759 lt was obvious to everybody that Serbia couId not meet those demands. 42 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:50,559 But in fact they were designed to be rejected. 43 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:55,359 But then, Serbia did meet them... 44 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,839 only to find that the Austrians were stiII not satisfied. 45 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:05,199 And that's why the Austrian ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Office this morning. 46 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,759 You ought to be wearing body armour. 47 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:10,159 I want an expIanation. 48 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,519 Austria is unhappy with the Serbian response to our Iist of demands 49 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:15,399 and therefore has issued an uItimatum. 50 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:17,239 l said l want an explanation 51 00:04:17,280 --> 00:04:21,599 not a reiteration of the absurd sequence of events of the last twelve hours. 52 00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:26,719 Austria is unhappy. That is the explanation. 53 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,919 Were you surprised with the compliance of the Serbian government? 54 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:31,999 But we don't see it as a compliance. 55 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:37,799 They will extradite any government official you wish to charge in connection 56 00:04:37,840 --> 00:04:43,159 with the assassination, censor their newspapers overhaul their school curricuIum 57 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:47,439 punish anyone who denigrates your royaI famiIy... Do you want me to go on? 58 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:51,279 We see these things more like... cosmetic. 59 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,039 But you asked for them. 60 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,679 And you didn't expect them to comply, did you. 61 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:03,959 Let me remind you how post-NapoIeonic dipIomacy works. Are you listening? 62 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,159 I'm all ears. 63 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:12,159 We statesmen, we occasionaIIy conceal things from each other, we dissemble 64 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:18,639 we act hypocriticaIIy when consistency or sincerity would be either dangerous 65 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:24,239 or hurtfuI. We don't always tell the whole truth but we don't exactly lie. 66 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:29,719 But what we've never done, is pretend the other feIIow is a fooI. 67 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,079 Or that black is white when everyone can see that it isn't. 68 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,199 Because if we did that, the whoIe system 69 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:40,639 the concert that has kept the peace in Europe, kept even the 70 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:46,599 superannuated Austrian Empire afloat would begin to break down. 71 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,439 We don't regard it as compIiance. 72 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,559 You must have Ioved the Archduke Franz Ferdidand. 73 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:02,839 We did. - l mean, really loved him. 74 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,559 He was the heir to our throne. - Heir to the throne! 75 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:12,079 He was despised in Vienna. His poor Czech wife even more so. 76 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,879 They treated her like a waitress. l'm serious, they did. 77 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:24,919 I thought you said the Serbs had bent over backwards? 78 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,959 Vienna wants humiliation. - And bending over backwards isn't humiliating? 79 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,479 You shouId try it one day, Winston. 80 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:34,439 And if l were you l'd start watching Russia now. 81 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:39,479 HumiIiating IittIe Serbia is one thing. HumiIiating her protector is quite another. 82 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:44,519 She's right about that. 83 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,039 Be careful of Winston, he's smeIIing blood. 84 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:52,239 Why is Vienna suddenly unafraid of Russia? That is the question. 85 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,279 l disagree. - With what? 86 00:06:54,840 --> 00:06:56,359 l think it's the wrong question. 87 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:00,159 You don't want to hear my answer. - Oh yes, I know your answer. 88 00:07:00,280 --> 00:07:03,639 Which is that Austria is acting as if Russia doesn't exist, because she's 89 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:08,279 aIready taken out an insurance poIicy in BerIin. - An insurance poIicy? 90 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,839 You think Austria and Germany are in cahoots over this? 91 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:14,719 Your evidence? 92 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,159 Winston, l can see what Edward's getting at. 93 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,279 We don't yet know what the Germans think of this Iatest development 94 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:24,159 and its always been a point of principIe in this country not to reduce 95 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:26,279 everything to the workings of the aIIiances. 96 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,879 That way the logic of war always gets the upper hand. 97 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:34,559 It's my sense that Austria cannot see beyond her quarreI with Serbia. 98 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,519 It's what happens to great powers when they shrink. The worId shrinks 99 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:42,599 with them, and then they cease to think about consequences. 100 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:47,039 You don't believe that Austria's aIIiance with Germany means anything? 101 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,239 Don't be obtuse Winston, no one's said that. 102 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:55,639 l should Iike to propose a round-table conference here in London, to be attended by 103 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,719 the ambassadors of the disinterested parties. 104 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,559 If we start talking Austria will be forced to join the conversation. 105 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:08,959 How many days do we have before Austria actually declares war? 106 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,079 WeII that depends on the state of their army 107 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:13,919 and how weII they've digested this year's conscripts. 108 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,599 Perhaps four days, maybe a week? 109 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:22,119 It's crucial for Germany to be involved in any conference. 110 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:23,799 Unthinkable without her. 111 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:27,999 You can manage that? - I beIieve so. We have more than 112 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:31,639 a few carrots to offer. - There shouId be a stick too. 113 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:39,039 You wiII discover tomorrow morning that Winston Churchill has ordered 114 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:43,319 the entire fleet to remain at Spithead. - I see. 115 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:46,519 It's a precautionary thing, l mean the ships are there aIready 116 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:51,679 for the grand navaI review as you know. They just haven't gone home. 117 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,679 You don't have to threaten us into a conference Edward. 118 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:57,919 l know that. - Germany is open to the idea of 119 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,159 a collective soIution to the Balkan probIem. 120 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:05,039 It is an opportunity I think for Britain and Germany to cooperate at Iast. 121 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:09,399 Austria wiII have to suspend its military operations first. 122 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:14,279 Naturally. - But if - when - that happens 123 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:18,879 l will be prepared to host a peace conference straight away. 124 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,199 And I wiII inform my government straight away. Thank you. 125 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:30,719 I ought to say Max, there is an opinion amongst us 126 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,279 that a possibIe reason for Austria's wreckIess behaviour 127 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:37,559 is the tacit support she enjoys from Germany. 128 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:44,639 I can see how the impression might have arisen amongst some of you. 129 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:54,519 Vienna may have got used to us backing them and perhaps that has made them as they are. 130 00:09:54,560 --> 00:09:56,559 ReckIess. - Your superior said so. 131 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:03,959 And l will admit that possibiIity, but of course that is quite a different thing 132 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,359 from saying that she receives our encouragement. 133 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:15,799 What is it? 134 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:20,759 l admire Prince Lichnowsky and I think he's sincere. 135 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,959 l know that sentence and it's always foIIowed by its opposite. 136 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,039 Oh, come on Crowe. 137 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,199 TeII me why I shouIdn't pIace my faith in Lichnowsky. 138 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,959 l'm not sure BerIin listens to him. 139 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:42,439 He was listened to. Lichnowsky had Edward Grey's confidence, after all. 140 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:47,959 But was he respected? 141 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:52,999 Yes pIease. - Excuse me, sir... 142 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:56,039 Not by our Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg. 143 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,879 From our ambassador in London, sir. 144 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,919 This has just arrived? 145 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:04,759 Yes sir, seven minutes ago. 146 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:06,999 They agreed on so little. 147 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,759 Get me the Foreign Minister. - Yes, sir. 148 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:18,319 Of course it is a perfectIy reasonabIe proposal. Grey is a reasonabIe man. 149 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:23,999 lf I were in his position l wouId propose an international tribunal too. 150 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,119 Perhaps we shouId accept? - Say that again? 151 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:31,519 We should accept. 152 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,679 WouId you Iike to expIain to the Kaiser when he gets back from his holiday 153 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:37,479 tomorrow what has happened to his plan? 154 00:11:38,680 --> 00:11:42,719 'Not a crashing military victory for our Austrian ally, Your Majesty 155 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:47,399 but a diplomatic triumph for Sir Edward Grey and the British.' 156 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:49,479 No, no l wouId not want to be the one to say that. 157 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,119 And that's why it wiII not be said. 158 00:11:54,000 --> 00:12:01,679 We must therefore reject Edward Grey's offer Something to the effect that 159 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:04,799 Austria wouId find it... - InsupportabIe? 160 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,639 HumiIiating. 161 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:14,079 lt would be humiliating for a great power Iike Austria to be subjected to 162 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:17,879 the decisions of an international tribunal. 163 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:22,359 But what if the Austrians agree to Grey's proposal? 164 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,239 They won't. - You seem very sure. 165 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:30,519 You won't Iet them. But tell Lichnowsky we are sympathetic to the idea. 166 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:33,159 He'll want to cultivate it anyway. 167 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:37,679 We can use him to get then English off our backs for 48 hours or so. 168 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:45,959 And the Kaiser? 169 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:53,359 There is no proposaI from Britain. There never has been. 170 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:12,639 Kaiser Wilhelm knew nothing of the dipIomatic events of the past two weeks. 171 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:21,079 He'd been on his vacation, looking at the Norwegian fjords. 172 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:28,119 The world he expected to return to was one in which Serbia 173 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,999 had been handsomely crushed by Austria, while our most feared enemy 174 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:36,799 Russia, stood staring at a brilliant fait accompli. 175 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:40,399 Of course none of that had happened. 176 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:45,679 Did you know that Norwegians read more than any other peopIe in the world? 177 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,279 I have heard something of the sort, Your Majesty. 178 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,599 Of course you have. You know everything. 179 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:52,799 I didn't know it though. 180 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:59,279 It was very disappointing. 181 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,719 Norway, Your Majesty? - Norway? 182 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,479 Why do you want to talk about Norway? 183 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:10,079 Austria! That's disappointing. The Austrian army is stiII not in BeIgrade. 184 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:11,679 CompleteIy disappointing! 185 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,439 Not yet, your majesty. - Not yet! 186 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:18,239 l am assured by the Austrian Ambassador... - ln fact they decided to mobiIise 187 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,999 their army yesterday, so its little wonder they are 'not yet' in Belgrade. 188 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:25,359 The day before yesterday your majesty, but very Iate indeed sir 189 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,759 later than we expected. - Later than l wanted! 190 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,839 What did l teII him, Jagow, before I went on my vacation? You were there. 191 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:36,919 You said you wanted things to happen quickly. 192 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:42,199 A quick, cIean war. Over before the Russians know it has even begun, yes? 193 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:46,319 Yes, you did say that, Your Majesty. - And now, the Russians will get 194 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:49,439 all agitated, which l think I expressly said I did not want. 195 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,359 And this morning I arrive back in Berlin to discover that 196 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:58,239 the British have their navy on high alert. Brilliant! 197 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:05,919 l will resign. 198 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:12,239 No you won't. You cooked this broth. You wiII eat it. 199 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,639 What is especially humiliating is that the Serbs are now laughing at us. 200 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,199 You've seen their reply to the Austrian note? 201 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,959 l'd appreciate it if you left me to finish my breakfast. 202 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,039 Now, in the days following Austria's rejection of the Serbian reply 203 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:42,959 we found ourselves asking what will Russia do? What will Russia do? 204 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:44,879 Foreign Secretary? - Not now. 205 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:48,079 What is it and why have you not come to me? 206 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:57,719 Russia, our absolutist ally, was a perennial mystery to us. 207 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:03,679 We had been friends with Russia since 1907, and that was a good thing in Asia. 208 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:08,039 lt stopped us bickering about lndia and Afghanistan. But in Europe... 209 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,399 That's it, sir. - What is it? 210 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:16,439 ... weII, it meant we were now underwriting the decisions of a very erratic aIIy. 211 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:20,879 It's the Russian army. The Tsar appears to have ordered a section of it to mobilise 212 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,639 in the southern districts facing the Austrian Empire. 213 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:26,959 What in God's name has he done that for? - I don't know. 214 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,799 It's not been confirmed yet, of course. 215 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:34,079 WeII we'II just have to hope your sources are as wretched as they usually are. 216 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:36,599 lt's a precautionary thing, I'm sure. 217 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:40,039 At any rate, it will take four weeks to come to fruition. 218 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,959 But they've just wrecked my peace conference. - WeII, perhaps you won't need it. 219 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:48,919 Nothing wiII bring Austria to its senses quicker than Britain supporting its Russian aIIy. 220 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,799 How much more belligerent do you think the Tsar will become 221 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,079 if he imagines the Royal Navy and a British Expeditionary Force are at his disposal? 222 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:02,639 But, Foreign Secretary, it's the effect on Germany that is the relevant thing. 223 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,839 Germany wants to take part in my conference. - You don't need a conference. 224 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:09,119 The quickest way to infIuence Austria is to frighten Germany. 225 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,359 The best way to frighten Germany is to support Russia. 226 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,879 The key to this problem is to cut across internationaI rivaIries. 227 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:19,359 Not re-inforce them. I'm seeing the Russian ambassador in... 228 00:17:20,120 --> 00:17:24,879 It's at quarter to six. - Right. Now, in actuaI fact. 229 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:28,279 He's getting the deluxe treatment, I'm taking him to see the Prime Minister. 230 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:30,559 Good. But I think you shouId know that the men on the Russia desk are saying 231 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,039 that you don't take their concern seriousIy. 232 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:35,439 I'm not here to pIease the Russian desk. 233 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:38,359 They're turning into bIoody Russians in there, by the way... 234 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,879 I'm an eIected politician... - I know that! 235 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:42,959 ... and I answer to parliament! - Of course, but... 236 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,639 do not aIienate Russia over this, sir. 237 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,079 lf we faiI to bend a IittIe towards her here 238 00:17:48,120 --> 00:17:50,559 she wiII make things difficuIt for us in India. 239 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:56,959 Of course, the thing about our Russian alliance, the awkward thing 240 00:17:57,120 --> 00:18:01,319 was that it tied us to this man: Tsar Nicholas the second. 241 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,719 No one ever knew what he was going to say next. 242 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:08,119 He was whimsical and unpredictable, as powerful men often are 243 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:13,079 answering only to God but capable of acting like God too. 244 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:18,119 Now the man in charge of his war machine was General Vladimir SukhomIinov. 245 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:20,959 Enfilade fire from this direction. 246 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:24,799 Here he is re-enacting the 1812 BattIe of Borodino. 247 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,359 And it was here that Kutuzov depIoyed the guards. 248 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:31,639 All part of the young prince's tuition you understand. 249 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,159 And the royal family's general entertainment. 250 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,599 And this woman, who hates the BattIe of Borodino 251 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:40,839 is general Sukhomlinov's young wife. 252 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:46,559 No Alexei, that's the infantry. 253 00:18:47,120 --> 00:18:49,679 You never find horses in a trench. 254 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:56,999 This man now had 13 army corps moving towards the Austrian empire. 255 00:18:57,280 --> 00:19:00,039 And that was not a pleasant thought for us in London 256 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:05,039 For we are talking 1,100,000 men. 257 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:10,679 We had to show our support for the Serbs. There'd be a rebeIIion 258 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,199 in Russia if we didn't. - Rubbish. 259 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:15,519 We both know that's not true, Count Benckendorff. 260 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:20,799 Are you saying that the Russian does not care at aII about his Serb brother? 261 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:26,639 l'm saying that most Russians will have more luck locating Serbia on a map 262 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:28,999 with a bIindfoId and a pin. 263 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,679 Count, Iet's not forget how we got here. 264 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:36,079 Austria's case against your Serb friends is that they provide 265 00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:39,999 a safe haven for Bosnian terrorists. WeII, we all depIore that l think. 266 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,279 We do have a little difficuIty understanding 267 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:47,559 why Russia has feIt it necessary to mobiIise her army. 268 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:51,359 lt's the same thing as you did yesterday with the Royal Navy! 269 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,799 lt's not the same thing at all. - But it is. 270 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:59,599 This is not a 'mobiIisation'. In our administrative departments 271 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:03,559 it is called a 'period preparatory to war'. 272 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,119 Are you impressed with those apostrophes, Edward? 273 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:12,079 Edward is not impressed. You see, Count, pIaying with the word 274 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:17,239 cannot alter the fact that quite soon you will have 275 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:21,559 over one million men at arms moving towards the Austrian frontier. 276 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:27,839 You object to us 'mobiIising' an army that will take ten days 277 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:29,999 to assume a proper war footing. 278 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:36,159 Not four weeks? - There is an oId idea... 279 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:39,319 WiIIiam Gladstone's idea. 280 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:44,959 It says that our two countries sit on the edges of Europe 281 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:48,999 and that if we shouId ever faII out... 282 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:52,199 - ...the Iands in between should fall under the dominion of Germany. 283 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:58,039 You need only affirm your friendship to Russia tonight 284 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:02,519 and you wiII see the Austrians pull in their horns. 285 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:05,319 And the Germans too. 286 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:12,959 We know aIso that our two empires 287 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:17,199 are drawing ever cIoser together in Asia. 288 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:24,079 Soon it is likeIy that our cartographers shall collide not far 289 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:27,359 from the North West frontier of India. 290 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:34,279 lt would be a shame, wouId it not, if our grenadiers collided too? 291 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:41,719 When you are so close together and you are not friends 292 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:46,359 it is very difficuIt to avoid friction. 293 00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:49,559 Now that sounded almost like a threat. 294 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:55,479 Those were your Foreign Secretary's words to me not five years ago. 295 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,759 Which is why we became friends. 296 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,279 And why we now have to heIp each other. 297 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:11,759 Foreign Secretary. Prime Minister. 298 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:22,679 He said 'ten days'. 299 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:28,359 We in BerIin were shocked by the Russian mobilisation too. 300 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,879 That had not been in the Kaiser's plan. 301 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,879 But his Chief of Staff, GeneraI Moltke? 302 00:22:37,120 --> 00:22:38,799 l don't think MoItke was shocked. 303 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,599 The Tsar has mobiIised his southern army districts. 304 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,079 That's technicaIIy 1.1 miIIion men. 305 00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:45,959 Perhaps a little Iess, knowing lvan. 306 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:47,639 You can aIways count on ten per cent 307 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:51,679 being curIed up in ditch with the vodka bottIe! 308 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,559 But, big numbers nonetheless. 309 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:56,839 More than Austria can handle. 310 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:00,039 So a stalemate? - Well that depends on what we do. 311 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:04,279 Think of it from my point of view; I'm paid to be suspicious. 312 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:10,319 So then, how am I meant to know that these Russian troops are destined 313 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,119 for the Austrian border? 314 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:15,559 How can l be sure that these troops aren't being sent here 315 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:18,359 or here, or here? To our borders. 316 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,639 Well I suppose in this... - I can't! 317 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:24,839 So are we not entitIed to mobilise an army too? 318 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:26,959 For defensive purposes. 319 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:33,919 WeII l wouId rather think the Kaiser wouId wish to retain that prerogative. 320 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:39,639 lt would be an excellent thing if Russia could be... 321 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,319 ... encouraged to move to a generaI mobiIisation. 322 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:44,079 Get aII her men in the field. 323 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:47,359 We will see it one day, whether we Iike it or not. 324 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,479 Rather it happens now than in five or ten years time 325 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,879 when the scaIes tip towards Russia. 326 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:58,479 Think of aII these doubletrack raiIway Iines laid through Poland coming our way. 327 00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:03,879 Theirs is a partiaI mobiIisation, not a generaI one. 328 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:09,239 But a generaI one wouIdn't be difficuIt to provoke, wouId it? 329 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:24,319 I aIways expect you to Iose your magic powers when we deprive you of those. 330 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,439 We do! We are at your mercy now. 331 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:32,719 There can't be a powerful Russia and a powerfuI Germany on the same continent. 332 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:34,479 One has to submit! 333 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:37,959 But Iet me give you a statistic. 334 00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:43,039 Something that will reduce this monstrous Cossack to human size. 335 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,239 At the present moment the Russian Empire has possession of 4,000 machine guns. 336 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,559 The German Empire has 24,000. 337 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:56,119 We know why we have so many precious weapons of war. 338 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,679 Because we are industrious and we are prudent. 339 00:24:59,880 --> 00:25:02,079 But why does Russia have so few? 340 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:05,799 Once you know the answer to that question 341 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:08,159 you have stopped fearing the Cossack. 342 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,239 The reason why Russia lacks machine guns 343 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:16,919 is that the GeneraI Sukhomlinov's pretty young wife adores Fabergé eggs. 344 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,599 Where is he going with this? - I don't know. 345 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,719 So old SukhomIinov, who is famously uxorious 346 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,279 finds that to love his wife is to empty his waIIet. 347 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:31,599 And that is why the old generaI took a back-hander from Vickers of EngIand 348 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,919 to suppIy aII of Russia's machine guns. 349 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,559 But Vickers' machine guns are three times the price of those produced in Moscow. 350 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:40,879 Here's another statistic. 351 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:45,359 We have 381 batteries of heavy artillery. They have 60! 352 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:48,919 And their forts? They are not forts. They are museums! 353 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,719 And don't tell me about the Russian steamroller gentlemen! 354 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:54,319 lt doesn't exist! It is a fantasy. 355 00:25:55,360 --> 00:25:59,719 But... But be carefuI. 356 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:03,719 EventuaIIy old Suko will be put out to grass 357 00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:08,559 and wiII be repIaced by a moderniser - with a modest wife. 358 00:26:09,240 --> 00:26:13,959 lf that happens tomorrow then it is Iikely that by 1917 Russia wiII have parity with us. 359 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:17,039 lmagine that! 360 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:21,599 Imagine a BaIkan crisis where they, not we, have the whip hand. 361 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:28,799 GentIemen. It's us or them. The Teuton or the SIav. 362 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:30,159 We all know it. 363 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:36,359 Through no machinations of our own we are now being offered the chance 364 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:42,919 by very reasonabIe terms to settIe that account once and forever. 365 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:47,519 On Russia l have simiIar thoughts to you. 366 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:50,359 I've often said we overestimate their strength. 367 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:52,839 So it was like listening to my own voice in there. 368 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:54,919 I make no cIaims to originaIity. 369 00:26:54,960 --> 00:26:56,959 But you faiIed to mention the French. 370 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,679 The French alliance with Russia. Isn't that the key? 371 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:05,759 A Russian entry into a Balkan war would mean a French entry into a BaIkan war. 372 00:27:05,920 --> 00:27:09,839 And at that point we wouIdn't be caIIing it 'a Balkan war' any more. 373 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:12,479 I've just told you why you shouIdn't fear Russia. 374 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:17,199 I'm too in need of dinner right now to tell you why you shouIdn't fear France. 375 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:20,719 lt's not a question of fear of course, it's a... - You wiII manage France. 376 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:22,839 lf the time comes. I am sure of that. 377 00:27:24,920 --> 00:27:27,879 lt is important that we maintain the European equipoise. 378 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,519 You do agree with that? - As you say. 379 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:44,079 We have a political system in Germany where power is concentrated at the top. 380 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:49,359 One of the tragedies of July 1914 was that the man at the very top 381 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:52,559 always seemed to be reacting to yesterday's news. 382 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:58,559 While Moltke's mind was turning towards a general war with Russia 383 00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:03,879 the Kaiser was still trying to control Austria's locaI war with Serbia. 384 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:10,039 Every cause for war has vanished. - Your majesty? 385 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:12,599 Every cause. Gone! 386 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,159 What do you call this? 387 00:28:17,120 --> 00:28:21,159 lt's the Serb reply to the Austrian demands. They agreed to everything. 388 00:28:21,360 --> 00:28:25,759 Everything, a totaI capituIation! - I thought you said... 389 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:31,199 What! What did l say? - I was under the impression 390 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:35,479 you had read the Serb repIy before we met at breakfast yesterday. 391 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:37,799 Why on earth would you think that? 392 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,399 It was in front of you on the breakfast tabIe. 393 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:48,039 This whoIe thing wouIdn't be such a mess if Austria had simpIy... 394 00:28:48,840 --> 00:28:53,159 if things had been done as l said they should be done. 395 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:56,439 You've had the time Bethmann. 396 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:07,199 Do we change course your majesty? - No. Get Austria into Belgrade. 397 00:29:07,720 --> 00:29:11,399 They can hold the city untiI the Serbs do aII those things 398 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:14,559 they now say they are willing to do. - Yes, sir. 399 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:16,319 But it must be done immediateIy! - Yes, sir. 400 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,079 Message to Vienna. - Yes, sir. 401 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:33,639 I take the liberty of submitting for the consideration of Your Imperial Majesty... 402 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:36,919 No, no, no, no... 403 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,079 'The indulgence of Your Imperial Majesty.' 404 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:06,039 Franz Josef, the Austrian Emperor, signing a declaration of war against Serbia. 405 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:12,399 Look at his face. He might be signing an ordinance to permit 406 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:16,999 electric street-lighting in distant Budapest or lifting a ban 407 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:19,039 on linen trading in Cracow. 408 00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:25,119 What he is actually doing is signing his own death warrant 409 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:28,119 and that of his dynasty. 410 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,679 The Kaiser had finally got his IittIe BaIkan war. 411 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:48,319 That evening the first Austrian bombs fell on Belgrade. 412 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,479 The Serbian government has left BeIgrade apparantIy. 413 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:06,999 To avoid capture. - I see. 414 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:10,599 Of course we're still waiting to hear officially from the Austrian embassy. 415 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:13,559 So the internationaI conference... - It's dead. 416 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:18,439 Yes, l suppose so. l can't imagine how that happened. 417 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:20,359 l thought we had an agreement. 418 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:24,319 You've been pIayed Edward. And very cIever pIay. 419 00:31:25,240 --> 00:31:27,839 You have to admire Berlin. - BerIin? 420 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:30,479 They've used Prince Lichnowsky Iike a sewer. 421 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:33,199 A conduit to send all their shit our way. 422 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:37,319 Don't feeI sorry for yourself. You've onIy Iost one wicket. 423 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:44,159 The game's stiII trembIing in the baIance. - Yes, that's true. 424 00:31:44,960 --> 00:31:48,119 Do remember that affability is not a strategy Edward. 425 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:52,319 Now's the time to put British power into the scales. 426 00:31:53,000 --> 00:32:05,519 No more pretending we're just the umpire. l'll see myseIf out. 427 00:32:25,240 --> 00:32:28,599 You toId me Berlin was going to put its weight behind a peace conference? 428 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:31,039 But Edward, that was before we reaIised 429 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:34,639 that the Russians were mobiIising their army. - Against Austria, not Germany. 430 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,839 l'm toId they have enough troops to worry us both. 431 00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:42,799 They fear your mobiIisation too, of course. - But Germany has not mobilised. 432 00:32:42,840 --> 00:32:46,919 Yes, yes. But they fear the speed with which you can... 433 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:50,999 Therefore they are obIiged to act now for fear of being overwheImed later. 434 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:52,159 l understand the point! 435 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:55,399 Crowe, could I have a moment with Prince Lichnowsky? 436 00:33:00,160 --> 00:33:05,719 You're shaken by this too. I can teII. What can we do Max? 437 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:09,799 I beIieve that once the Austrians have captured Belgrade 438 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:12,119 the Kaiser will want dipIomacy to take over. 439 00:33:12,160 --> 00:33:16,559 I feel I have been misIed once by Germany. - I can appreciate that 440 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:18,999 but it is not by design. PIease beIieve me. 441 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:25,719 Very weII. Once Austria has crossed the Danube let the Kaiser propose a plan for mediation. 442 00:33:25,800 --> 00:33:28,319 I am not jeaIous about my roIe in this 443 00:33:28,360 --> 00:33:31,959 or previous about ownership. - l know you're not. 444 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,439 No, we are happy to fall in with whatever he suggests. 445 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:37,639 We could caII it 'the German Peace plan'. 446 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:41,599 Oh, that wouId be very helpfuI to His Majesty. 447 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:45,799 We are friends aren't we? - Most certainIy we are friends. 448 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:48,239 So, l am telling you this because we are friends 449 00:33:48,320 --> 00:33:51,279 and l wouIdn't want our intimacy to lead you astray. 450 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:55,919 lf France is drawn into this confIict... - France? 451 00:33:56,120 --> 00:34:00,359 As Russia's ally it is possibIe. - UnIikely for a BaIkan question. 452 00:34:00,400 --> 00:34:05,079 But stiII possibIe. And if France is drawn in, it may be difficult 453 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:07,999 for Britain to stand aside. 454 00:34:21,720 --> 00:34:24,559 He will warn his government. 455 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:34,239 Britain in earnest, mediation must succeed. 456 00:34:36,240 --> 00:34:41,039 'Britain in earnest'. Of course, that aIarmed the Kaiser. 457 00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:46,079 He thought of his cousin, Tsar NicoIas of Russia. 458 00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:47,439 Knees up. 459 00:34:47,480 --> 00:34:53,119 And wondered if the two of them might not stop their respective military machines. 460 00:34:53,720 --> 00:34:54,559 HaIt. 461 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,199 What a sad dialogue they embarked on. - Salute. 462 00:34:57,240 --> 00:35:04,519 Dear Nicky, we have a common interest as sovereigns to ensure 463 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:08,999 that all persons morally responsibIe for the murder... 464 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:15,559 Dear Willy, the indignation in Russia, fuIIy shared by me is enormous. 465 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:22,399 I foresee a time when I shall be forced to take extreme measures which will Iead to war. 466 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:27,599 Dear Nicky, the whoIe weight of the decision Iies soIeIy on your shoulders now... 467 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:34,999 Dear Willy, I shall be overwhelmed by pIeasure to go to war. I appeaI to you to heIp me... 468 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:39,919 Dear Nicky... - Dear Willy... 469 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,599 Dear Nicky... - And on it went. - Dear Willy... 470 00:35:42,680 --> 00:35:47,119 Two sovereigns living in a world of make-believe. 471 00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:53,039 That evening Russia moved to full mobilisation and all her reservists were called up. 472 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:59,599 That night Moltke sent a cable to Vienna. 'Proceed to fuII mobiIisation.' 473 00:35:59,720 --> 00:36:01,439 'Do not fear Russia.' 474 00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:09,719 But Bethmann sent one to the Austrians too. To open hostilities with Russia 475 00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:11,839 he said, would be a serious error. 476 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:15,119 Sincerely, and so on and so on. 477 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:19,159 Two conflicting voices. Whose would be louder? 478 00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:27,999 We knew nothing about those two telegrams of course. 479 00:36:28,920 --> 00:36:32,519 But the full Russian mobilisation we did know about. 480 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:41,839 We aIso knew that it meant France was now in danger of being drawn into the conflict. 481 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:05,919 France has arrived. - I aIways expect him to dance in. 482 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:08,879 l rather doubt he'll be in the mood for that. 483 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:17,719 This was France in the shape of Ambassador Paul Cambon. Gallic on the surface 484 00:37:18,160 --> 00:37:22,959 Gallic to the core. But there were many in the Foreign Office who joked that 485 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:30,319 Monsieur Cambon was representing Russia too. For in 1892 the impossible had happened. 486 00:37:30,360 --> 00:37:34,759 Republican France, home to the revolution, had signed a treaty 487 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:39,839 with Tsarist Russia, the symbol of despotic tyranny. Why had they done this? 488 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:45,679 Fear. Fear that they might be overwhelmed again by the German army. 489 00:37:46,040 --> 00:37:48,039 The Foreign Secretary will see you now, Your ExceIIency. 490 00:37:48,080 --> 00:37:52,919 So now, if Russia went to war, it was likely that France would do so too. 491 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:06,199 If France foIIows Russia into a BaIkan war, it will be difficult for Britain to foIIow France. 492 00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:10,239 l know that sounds blunt, but I think it's important to be clear 493 00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:13,199 so there's no room for misunderstanding Iater. 494 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:17,639 Germany, happily, will postpone its own mobilisation 495 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:21,239 untiI we've absoIutely exhausted efforts at mediation. 496 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:27,439 But in the Iight of Russia's actions, they're asking rather a lot of them l feeI. 497 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:29,719 lt does sound bIunt. 498 00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:33,879 Ah. For a moment there I thought you'd taken a vow of siIence, Paul. 499 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:36,159 There is a war party in Germany. 500 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:38,399 He knows it. - Yes, I know it too. 501 00:38:38,760 --> 00:38:42,679 But if France throws the fat in the fire by foIIowing Russia 502 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:45,879 it will simply encourage that war party. Don't you think? 503 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:53,079 How easy it is to be compIacent about Germany when you are protected by the ChanneI? 504 00:38:53,520 --> 00:38:58,039 My dear fellow, its not the ChanneI that protects us, it's the Navy. 505 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:08,039 Theirs is no ordinary mobiIisation of course. The Russian railway system... 506 00:39:08,080 --> 00:39:12,519 ls prehistoric. lt would be quicker to get their men to the front in horse and cart. 507 00:39:13,240 --> 00:39:16,399 And therefore there is no need for us to panic. - Who panics here? 508 00:39:17,080 --> 00:39:20,199 l'm saying we shouId not be hasty. - The French will be. 509 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:23,399 It's their nature. - But France has not mobilised. 510 00:39:23,720 --> 00:39:28,079 On the contrary, I received a piece of information today which I wish to share with you. 511 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:34,399 On an initiative from the French Foreign Ministry to eliminate potentiaI sources of friction 512 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:41,639 all French military personneI have retreated ten kilometers from the Franco-German frontier 513 00:39:41,680 --> 00:39:42,999 as from this morning. 514 00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:46,119 They're getting some practice in. - Shut up. 515 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:50,839 The French have not mobilised. - Not yet. 516 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:54,999 So you're asking us to threaten someone in advance of them possibly 517 00:39:55,040 --> 00:39:58,639 threatening us. - Yes. Yes l am. 518 00:39:59,600 --> 00:40:02,799 What are you planning? - Either Germany fiIIs her lungs or she dies. 519 00:40:02,840 --> 00:40:07,559 This is the Iaw of nations. lnternational Iife is a constant struggIe to breathe. 520 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:09,919 You want to invade France? 521 00:40:10,200 --> 00:40:15,079 And then we'II deal with the Russians. - ls this vanity? 522 00:40:16,040 --> 00:40:20,519 It won't be Iike your uncle's day, Moltke. I thought as a military man 523 00:40:20,640 --> 00:40:25,839 you might have noticed the Iine of concrete forts they've built since 1870. 524 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:32,999 TouIs, MoulainviIIe, Douaumont... - Very good Bethmann. 525 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:35,359 You should set this to music... - Verdun... 526 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:38,519 Verdun. Oui, oui, pas oublié. Verdun. 527 00:40:39,720 --> 00:40:44,439 Are we just to ignore these fortifications? Pretend they're not there, they do not exist? 528 00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:48,759 We could spare France, of course, and concentrate on Russia 529 00:40:49,640 --> 00:40:52,119 but Paris wouId have to agree to certain conditions. 530 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:56,639 Those, l've already outlined to our friends in London. 531 00:40:58,200 --> 00:41:00,279 You're taIking to London? 532 00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:03,079 They wiII receive my note tomorrow morning. 533 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:32,359 Quite incredibIe. 534 00:41:32,720 --> 00:41:35,439 Germany is practicaIIy asking for the keys to France. 535 00:41:35,720 --> 00:41:39,719 If France agrees to remain neutral in the event of a German-Russian war 536 00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:43,839 it gets as its reward from Germany, what? 537 00:41:43,880 --> 00:41:48,599 The German occupation of the fortresses of Verdun and Touls for the duration of that war! 538 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:51,639 They don't seem to know the difference between a threat and a bribe. 539 00:41:51,680 --> 00:41:54,279 It's intended to provoke a French mobiIisation. - Not convinced. 540 00:41:54,320 --> 00:41:57,639 It is, Edward. lt would be like them teIIing us 'We won't attack you 541 00:41:57,680 --> 00:42:01,519 but Winston here must aIIow German saiIors to take command of the RoyaI Navy'. 542 00:42:01,560 --> 00:42:04,359 You all keep saying 'they' or 'them'. 543 00:42:04,400 --> 00:42:07,319 How do you know its not the work of just one man? 544 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:10,799 Rogues have loud voices, doesn't mean they speak for everyone. 545 00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:12,999 Urgh. - I beg your pardon? 546 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:16,999 I think we must share this with the Cabinet. They will be waiting Winston. 547 00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:24,039 The German proposal is inept. Of course it is. - But the principle... 548 00:42:24,080 --> 00:42:28,159 But the principIe behind it is not a bad one. - What is this principle 549 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:31,599 Mr. ChanceIIor? That we stuff our aIIy? - Very good Winston. 550 00:42:31,800 --> 00:42:36,879 But the principIe that Mr. Burns here is taIking about is one of separating any war in 551 00:42:36,920 --> 00:42:39,279 the East with any Iikely conflict in the West. 552 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:44,159 Building a cavity wall between the two. - The sensible thing would be to 553 00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:48,799 send France a signal that we do not share her enthusiasm for war. 554 00:42:48,920 --> 00:42:53,879 That we rein her in. - Or leave her high and dry? 555 00:42:54,240 --> 00:42:58,719 France is our ally, we do have certain obIigations. 556 00:42:58,760 --> 00:43:00,959 We have an understanding with her. 557 00:43:02,840 --> 00:43:06,599 That's putting it rather mildly, Lord MorIey. 558 00:43:06,720 --> 00:43:10,519 lt is an understanding, that's the way the Foreign Secretary 559 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:13,599 described the Entente CordiaIe when it was first dreamt up. 560 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:17,639 And exactly what this understanding entaiIs 561 00:43:18,120 --> 00:43:20,799 we around this table don't quite know. 562 00:43:21,640 --> 00:43:25,039 There's nothing that you're concealing from us is there Sir Edward? 563 00:43:35,440 --> 00:43:42,039 Please. Sir Edward is still in cabinet, but I could have some tea brought for you. 564 00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:44,399 Thank you. 565 00:44:08,280 --> 00:44:14,599 Have you been waiting Iong? - Oh, only since 1870. 566 00:44:24,240 --> 00:44:27,759 For two years, your majesty. If we aII just adjust our diet a IittIe. 567 00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:31,079 That's with grain from our own fieIds. 568 00:44:33,760 --> 00:44:37,319 We may acquire fieIds elsewhere of course. 569 00:44:39,120 --> 00:44:40,479 You mean in Russia. 570 00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:43,999 Russia... eventuaIIy. - He's talking about France. 571 00:44:44,160 --> 00:44:48,319 l wonder, Your Majesty, do you know how many Ministers of War 572 00:44:48,360 --> 00:44:52,279 the French RepubIic has had in the Iast 43 years? 573 00:44:52,680 --> 00:44:56,519 I wiII not guess. But l am sure my Chancellor here wiII know the answer. 574 00:44:56,880 --> 00:44:57,919 42. 575 00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:04,159 That is correct. 42 Ministers of War in 43 years. And they wonder why 576 00:45:04,200 --> 00:45:06,639 their army is a rabble. - But it isn't. 577 00:45:06,920 --> 00:45:08,839 Bethmann Hollweg the soIdier. 578 00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:12,159 your Majesty, he wants to decIare war on France. 579 00:45:12,200 --> 00:45:16,879 l don't want to. But I think a war between us is bound to happen. 580 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:20,039 He wants to. And l will tell you this: Britain will not stay neutraI 581 00:45:20,080 --> 00:45:21,239 in a war that takes in France. 582 00:45:21,320 --> 00:45:23,319 Britain is not capabIe of getting involved. 583 00:45:23,880 --> 00:45:26,599 She cannot spare the troops. - He means Ireland. 584 00:45:26,640 --> 00:45:30,199 She wiII risk how many divisions on the continent? Four? Five? 585 00:45:30,920 --> 00:45:34,759 They wouId get swept up in the generaI rout. - This is irresponsible talk. 586 00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:37,759 Gentlemen, it's a beautifuI summer's evening. 587 00:45:39,200 --> 00:45:41,359 And l think we deserve some refreshments. 588 00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:48,599 You have to say, it could teach the British a thing or two. 589 00:45:50,160 --> 00:45:52,839 Well if you insist on making war on the continent 590 00:45:52,880 --> 00:45:56,479 then don't just send a few outriders. Do it properIy. 591 00:46:01,240 --> 00:46:06,559 l wouId ask the cabinet for authorisation to move to a full mobilisation of the Royal Navy. 592 00:46:06,600 --> 00:46:08,679 Do that, and l go! 593 00:46:08,720 --> 00:46:13,599 Oh John, pIease. - Sorry Prime Minister, but that is gunboat dipIomacy. 594 00:46:13,640 --> 00:46:16,559 Any fool can make an heroic gesture. 595 00:46:16,600 --> 00:46:20,479 Let's not confuse that with a bid for peace. - Hear, hear. 596 00:46:20,520 --> 00:46:23,879 LiberaIism has got to mean something more inteIIigent 597 00:46:23,920 --> 00:46:26,799 than puIIing a gun out every time you're in a quarreI. 598 00:46:26,840 --> 00:46:31,559 lt's an accompaniment, John, to what I'm doing. We'II keep on taIking. 599 00:46:31,600 --> 00:46:33,799 I would offer my resignation too, Prime Minister. 600 00:46:35,920 --> 00:46:37,719 And l. 601 00:46:38,960 --> 00:46:44,399 Prime Minister, you will not take the LiberaI Party with you into a European war. 602 00:46:46,040 --> 00:46:47,759 But can l suggest this. 603 00:46:49,200 --> 00:46:53,639 We have evidentIy Iost control of what is taking pIace between Austria and Russia. 604 00:46:54,600 --> 00:46:58,959 But we are stiII capable of infIuencing what is happening between Germany 605 00:46:59,000 --> 00:47:04,199 and France. That is where our peacemaking efforts shouId now be. 606 00:47:06,680 --> 00:47:08,279 Sir Edward? 607 00:47:08,760 --> 00:47:15,159 I shouId like to make a teIephone caII to the German ambassador. 608 00:47:18,640 --> 00:47:20,999 Your Excellency. Sir Edward is on the Number Ten telephone 609 00:47:21,040 --> 00:47:23,039 and wouId like to speak with you. 610 00:47:30,040 --> 00:47:35,679 You must promise not to attack France. That is key. ln the event 611 00:47:35,720 --> 00:47:41,559 of a Russian-German confIict breaking out. Yes. 612 00:47:41,920 --> 00:47:43,799 Do you understand? 613 00:47:44,480 --> 00:47:53,999 And we wiII undertake to guarantee that Britain and France wiII not attack Germany in return. 614 00:47:54,240 --> 00:47:55,959 The French have agreed to this? 615 00:47:56,160 --> 00:47:57,799 What? - JuIy. 616 00:47:58,080 --> 00:48:00,559 The French have... - That is correct. 617 00:48:01,760 --> 00:48:06,159 Then I wiII take the responsibility for saying now that the German government 618 00:48:06,200 --> 00:48:11,959 will respond positively, pIeasurably, to your initiative. 619 00:48:13,600 --> 00:48:14,759 Sir Edward? 620 00:48:36,240 --> 00:48:45,439 Sir Edward Grey's proposal is to be commended for guaranteeing the security 621 00:48:46,240 --> 00:48:48,919 of our border with France. 622 00:48:49,160 --> 00:48:52,519 What did you say to Germany? You have sold us, l can tell. 623 00:48:52,680 --> 00:48:54,839 Crowe, please, wiII you join us? 624 00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:06,199 l have not soId you. lt is simply this. The cabinet feels Britain has no 625 00:49:06,240 --> 00:49:11,399 interest in what is essentially and Austro- Russian dispute in the East. 626 00:49:11,960 --> 00:49:16,839 France of course has her alliance with Russia, the provisions of which we know 627 00:49:16,880 --> 00:49:22,279 nothing about and we cannot aIIow ourseIves to be the tail Russia's comet. 628 00:49:22,320 --> 00:49:24,159 You have sold us! - We haven't. 629 00:49:24,200 --> 00:49:26,359 Each day we delay our mobiIisation 630 00:49:26,400 --> 00:49:30,799 we Iose the equivaIent of 25 kilometres of French territory if war does break out. 631 00:49:30,840 --> 00:49:34,999 But I appreciate France's restraint and would urge her to continue on that course. 632 00:49:35,040 --> 00:49:38,039 How many French lives wiII it take to get each of these 25 kiIometres back? 633 00:49:38,080 --> 00:49:38,759 Paul... 634 00:49:38,800 --> 00:49:41,599 Are you going to wait until France is vioIated before you act? 635 00:49:45,920 --> 00:49:51,239 You must make your own decision and not reckon on British assistance. 636 00:49:52,200 --> 00:49:57,639 We for our part wiII continue to expIore peace initiatives with Germany. 637 00:50:05,520 --> 00:50:09,439 This evening, the word 'honour' wiII be struck from the EngIish dictionary. 638 00:50:18,520 --> 00:50:20,639 I thought he wouId be a little more pIiabIe. 639 00:50:23,680 --> 00:50:29,319 He's distraught, of course. l think the French will back down. 640 00:50:30,800 --> 00:50:32,439 l think they'll see sense. 641 00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:39,399 Can I ask you sir, what preciseIy did you say to Prince Lichnowsky on the teIephone? 642 00:50:40,720 --> 00:50:43,959 I - I toId him... 643 00:50:50,400 --> 00:50:52,679 I'm not entirely sure Crowe. 644 00:50:53,360 --> 00:50:56,519 That's rather awkward. 645 00:50:58,680 --> 00:51:04,719 Everyone thinks I have the power to invent new facts when the old ones 646 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:07,959 become dangerous. 647 00:51:10,000 --> 00:51:14,479 They think if they tell me their predicament it will disappear. 648 00:51:15,000 --> 00:51:20,079 To them you are Great Britain. You hold immense power. 649 00:51:23,320 --> 00:51:25,679 l am aIso just Edward Grey. 650 00:51:40,560 --> 00:51:45,479 The Kaiser ordered the mobiIisation of our army aginst Russia that evening. 651 00:51:48,720 --> 00:51:51,799 And then, France aIso mobiIised. 652 00:51:52,200 --> 00:51:55,399 If the iron dice roll, may God help us. 653 00:51:57,320 --> 00:52:01,959 Trains must leave every 90 seconds. No deIays. No excuses. 654 00:52:02,480 --> 00:52:05,799 A miIIion of our soldiers wouId soon be on the move. 655 00:52:06,920 --> 00:52:08,919 And l wouId be one of them. 656 00:52:10,880 --> 00:52:13,839 We think we are good at this? Let us prove it. 657 00:52:15,680 --> 00:52:20,519 But then suddenly, out of the clear blue sky, came Edward Grey's peace plan. 658 00:52:22,120 --> 00:52:25,119 The one he proposed on the telephone to Prince Lichnowsky. 659 00:52:26,960 --> 00:52:32,839 lt arrived in Berlin just 23 minutes after the Kaiser had signed our mobilisation papers. 660 00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:39,719 Open those doors. And bring champagne. - What is it? 661 00:52:39,840 --> 00:52:41,719 The best champagne. - What is it? 662 00:52:41,760 --> 00:52:46,119 Gentlemen, l just received word from Prince Lichnowsky in London. 663 00:52:47,360 --> 00:52:51,399 'French and...' ChanceIIor, you represent the civiIian arm of Germany. 664 00:52:51,640 --> 00:52:57,319 You read it. - 'French and British neutrality 665 00:52:57,360 --> 00:53:01,319 guaranteed if Germany refrains from attacking France.' 666 00:53:01,480 --> 00:53:06,119 Only Russia is left in the fieId. - l have 25,000 trains in motion. 667 00:53:06,160 --> 00:53:08,999 Will Russia back down now aIso? - She might weII do that. 668 00:53:09,080 --> 00:53:13,039 25,000 trains are moving westwards. - They don't have brakes? 669 00:53:14,920 --> 00:53:18,999 Our forward units are about to enter Luxemburg. - Then stop them, Moltke. 670 00:53:19,040 --> 00:53:23,199 And deploy the entire army to the East. - l can't. lt's too Iate. 671 00:53:23,240 --> 00:53:28,559 lt's a command, you half-wit. Stop them and turn the army to the East. 672 00:53:33,320 --> 00:53:35,279 Let's go. 673 00:53:37,560 --> 00:53:39,759 To England. - To Sir Edward Grey. 674 00:53:39,800 --> 00:53:45,119 It will be compIete chaos! The whole world wiII be thrown into chaos! 675 00:53:49,000 --> 00:53:50,119 The Army. 676 00:53:50,680 --> 00:53:57,279 You said the whoIe worId. It's just the Army. It is simpIe Moltke. 677 00:53:58,080 --> 00:54:03,719 Applaud this man's superb dipIomacy, and then begin shifting your men to the East. 678 00:54:04,960 --> 00:54:08,999 We'II discuss reservations once you've finished. Well, on with it, mobilise 679 00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:11,559 yourself first. - This isn't leadership. 680 00:54:13,000 --> 00:54:16,719 You might start by getting those Luxemburg patrols back before they do some damage 681 00:54:16,840 --> 00:54:18,559 It isn't. 682 00:54:18,880 --> 00:54:24,679 Even with that absurd marshaIs baton in your hand. - Moltke! - Your one good hand. 683 00:54:34,960 --> 00:54:37,079 When do wars start? 684 00:54:45,520 --> 00:54:49,879 When a declaration is signed or when an embassy is closed? 685 00:54:51,800 --> 00:54:56,359 Or do we delude ourseIves that these formalities are what count? 686 00:55:01,840 --> 00:55:07,679 l know this. Our feIIows were not meant to be in Luxemburg on August 1st. 687 00:55:08,040 --> 00:55:12,559 We had not declared an argument with that country, let alone declared a war. 688 00:55:13,400 --> 00:55:17,639 Yet, at seven in the evening a detachment of the 69th infantry regiment crossed 689 00:55:17,680 --> 00:55:19,359 over into Luxemburg. 690 00:55:27,320 --> 00:55:31,239 They were under the command of a Lieutenant Feldmann, who'd been 691 00:55:31,280 --> 00:55:33,839 told to seize the town's telegraph office. 692 00:55:37,440 --> 00:55:42,719 No casualties were suffered that day, unless you count Private Mayer with his 693 00:55:42,760 --> 00:55:43,439 sprained ankle. 694 00:55:45,400 --> 00:55:49,999 But this strange little engagement was the curtain-raiser to an all-out war 695 00:55:50,200 --> 00:55:51,399 on the Western Front. 696 00:55:58,760 --> 00:56:03,879 Or it would have been, had Sir Edward Grey's peace plan not reached Berlin just 697 00:56:03,960 --> 00:56:06,999 in time. 698 00:56:11,800 --> 00:56:16,799 FeIdmann was told to come home. The war in the West had been cancelled. 699 00:56:17,880 --> 00:56:22,639 Dear Georgie, having just received the glorious communication from your government 700 00:56:23,040 --> 00:56:28,919 offering French neutrality under guarantee of Great Britain, l am deIighted to 701 00:56:28,960 --> 00:56:32,199 convey my own government's enthusiasm for the proposal. 702 00:56:43,720 --> 00:56:46,559 How does an army of severaI million men 703 00:56:46,600 --> 00:56:49,959 defeat another army of severaI million men? 704 00:56:50,000 --> 00:56:52,759 l will Iikely resign from the government if we enter this war. 705 00:56:52,800 --> 00:56:54,279 For God's sake 706 00:56:54,320 --> 00:56:57,839 state the conditions under which Britain will remain neutraI. 707 00:56:57,880 --> 00:56:59,719 That you do not go to war with France. 708 00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:01,719 Madness, they could have saved us. 709 00:57:01,760 --> 00:57:04,519 Those are German raiIway pIatforms. They're now half a miIe long. 710 00:57:04,560 --> 00:57:07,039 German troops are heading towards the BeIgian border. 711 00:57:08,280 --> 00:57:10,559 You'll be told there isn't a better time to be young 712 00:57:10,600 --> 00:57:14,639 and that you are the envy of those too oId to fight. 713 00:57:14,680 --> 00:57:16,479 I've never seen myself as a soIdier. 714 00:57:16,520 --> 00:57:20,639 The immense expense of blood will in the end be for nothing. 715 00:57:20,680 --> 00:57:23,079 It is you who can stop it.