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matches the moviesbyrizzo
1080p full 2hr 52 min vers

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version incl in 500 movie
 single folder download torrent

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<i>On 28th june 1914 Europe was
enjoying a prosperous peace</i>

4
00:00:09,020 --> 00:00:13,620
<i>37 days later
the nations were at war</i>

5
00:00:15,030 --> 00:00:20,630
<i>In that time only a handful of
people knew what was happening</i>

6
00:01:03,950 --> 00:01:07,540
37 Days
Part 1 of 3

7
00:01:10,950 --> 00:01:13,930
Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
Sync: Marocas62

8
00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:21,430
"One month in summer"

9
00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:59,019
<i>I once calculated
that the Foreign Office</i>

10
00:01:59,020 --> 00:02:02,700
<i>receives 250 telegrams
every hour.</i>

11
00:02:05,780 --> 00:02:08,969
<i>That is 6,000 telegrams per day.</i>

12
00:02:08,970 --> 00:02:11,850
<i>Or 42,000 each week...</i>

13
00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,600
You thought I was Persia,
didn't you? I've been promoted!

14
00:02:19,410 --> 00:02:25,040
<i>'..which comes to 2,190,000
telegrams every year.</i>

15
00:02:25,350 --> 00:02:27,599
<i>Britannia rules the waves,
I suppose.</i>

16
00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,549
<i>And for that reason,
we must welcome</i>

17
00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:32,050
<i>these tides of information.</i>

18
00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:35,399
<i>Political crisis in Argentina.</i>

19
00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:38,239
<i>The abolition of slavery in Siam,
I love it.</i>

20
00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,749
<i>It means that I am working
at the centre of the world</i>

21
00:02:40,750 --> 00:02:44,129
<i>and get to find out what is
happening, as soon as it happens.</i>

22
00:02:44,130 --> 00:02:46,759
<i>Well, within a few hours,
anyway.</i>

23
00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:48,599
<i>But, my word,</i>

24
00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:50,800
<i>it is an awful lot of telegrams!</i>

25
00:02:57,110 --> 00:02:58,929
Could you do these promptly,
Muriel?

26
00:02:58,930 --> 00:03:00,690
-Please?
-Please!

27
00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:04,049
<i>This particular one though,
received in London</i>

28
00:03:04,050 --> 00:03:06,609
<i>from His Britannic Majesty's
Consul in Sarajevo,</i>

29
00:03:06,610 --> 00:03:09,450
<i>on June 28, 1914.</i>

30
00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:11,419
<i>Well,
I should be honest with you,</i>

31
00:03:11,420 --> 00:03:14,400
<i>the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,
murdered in Sarajevo.</i>

32
00:03:16,380 --> 00:03:19,059
<i>Interesting, for sure,
over breakfast,</i>

33
00:03:19,060 --> 00:03:20,419
<i>but forgotten by tea-time.</i>

34
00:03:20,420 --> 00:03:22,909
Thank you.
<i>Or so I thought.</i>

35
00:03:22,910 --> 00:03:24,900
<i>As did everyone else
I spoke to.</i>

36
00:03:26,500 --> 00:03:30,350
<i>But it was not forgotten.
And I think it never will be.</i>

37
00:03:31,580 --> 00:03:35,170
28th JUNE 1914

38
00:03:36,340 --> 00:03:39,390
37 DAYS TO WAR

39
00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,239
<i>You know,
it is a magical place,</i>

40
00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,269
<i>and I have to pinch myself
sometimes that I'm here.</i>

41
00:03:45,270 --> 00:03:47,379
<i>Just two years on from Kings,</i>

42
00:03:47,380 --> 00:03:49,639
<i>a second division
clerk in the great,</i>

43
00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:51,489
<i>and,
as some would have it,</i>

44
00:03:51,490 --> 00:03:54,089
<i>independent kingdom
of the Foreign Office.</i>

45
00:03:54,090 --> 00:03:56,049
What's in the box, Henry,
lead piping?

46
00:03:56,050 --> 00:04:00,079
<i>Not much of a player, not yet,
but a ringside seat</i>

47
00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:01,389
<i>if you like your boxing.</i>

48
00:04:01,390 --> 00:04:05,459
Shoulders back.
Doubtless that is for me, Alec.

49
00:04:05,460 --> 00:04:08,169
-It is, sir.
-Well, let's take it into my office.

50
00:04:08,170 --> 00:04:10,649
<i>That's my boss,
Sir Eyre Crowe.</i>

51
00:04:10,650 --> 00:04:12,159
So, what do we have?

52
00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:14,760
<i>The Assistant Undersecretary
at the Foreign Office.</i>

53
00:04:15,590 --> 00:04:18,639
<i>German born,
educated in Berlin, but now,</i>

54
00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,409
<i>he is more British than
any one of us.</i>

55
00:04:21,410 --> 00:04:22,959
Well, well.

56
00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,219
<i>I have learned to watch Sir Eyre
closely</i>

57
00:04:25,220 --> 00:04:27,989
<i>because everyone knows he is
a brilliant man.</i>

58
00:04:27,990 --> 00:04:29,890
<i>-Including himself.</i>
-Do you know,

59
00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,150
I was about to
predict something like this?

60
00:04:34,030 --> 00:04:37,019
<i>This man had come to Britain
at 17,</i>

61
00:04:37,020 --> 00:04:38,329
<i>a German speaker still,</i>

62
00:04:38,330 --> 00:04:41,489
<i>and sailed through his
civil service examinations.</i>

63
00:04:41,490 --> 00:04:44,390
I thought so.
Rash, rash, rash.

64
00:04:44,950 --> 00:04:46,669
<i>I think he likes me too.</i>

65
00:04:46,670 --> 00:04:48,909
<i>I am a scholarship boy,
you see.</i>

66
00:04:48,910 --> 00:04:51,219
<i>A bit of an outsider myself.</i>

67
00:04:51,220 --> 00:04:55,230
Look at this.
The 28th was the Serb holy day.

68
00:04:55,840 --> 00:04:58,870
What a time for an Austrian
archduke to go to Sarajevo.

69
00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:03,200
-It is rash, sir.
-Yes. Rash.

70
00:05:03,810 --> 00:05:05,110
So...

71
00:05:05,740 --> 00:05:08,099
-Is this important or not?
-It is.

72
00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:11,429
But important enough to disturb
the Foreign Secretary?

73
00:05:11,430 --> 00:05:13,550
-Right now?
-Right now.

74
00:05:15,990 --> 00:05:17,290
No.

75
00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,289
I believe you may want to think about
that one again.

76
00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:26,590
Come.

77
00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,199
-I am leaving, Crowe, is it urgent?
-It's Bosnia, Foreign Secretary.

78
00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:32,950
I think that might wait.

79
00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:37,159
Really?
Come and walk me out then.

80
00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,989
<i>That is Sir Edward Grey,
the Liberal Foreign Secretary.</i>

81
00:05:40,990 --> 00:05:44,929
<i>As a statesman he was,
we believed, trusted and admired.</i>

82
00:05:44,930 --> 00:05:46,239
The Mesopotamia minute.

83
00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:48,789
And I shall need the Persian text
first thing tomorrow.

84
00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:50,090
Sir.

85
00:05:50,890 --> 00:05:53,719
-So who would want him dead?
-Many people.

86
00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,109
Franz Ferdinand was
an unpopular man

87
00:05:56,110 --> 00:05:57,889
and made enemies easily.

88
00:05:57,890 --> 00:05:59,529
What does your stomach say?

89
00:05:59,530 --> 00:06:01,949
-Croat? Muslim?
-I doubt it.

90
00:06:01,950 --> 00:06:04,259
-Hungarian?
-Possibly.

91
00:06:04,260 --> 00:06:06,019
More likely to be a Serb, then?

92
00:06:06,020 --> 00:06:08,959
-That is where I would place my money.
-Me too.

93
00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,709
The question is,
how will the Austrians take it?

94
00:06:11,710 --> 00:06:13,719
You are going to give me
a very brief

95
00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,159
but wonderfully incisive answer.

96
00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:19,090
The same way they take all
their disappointments.

97
00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:21,219
Hysterical condemnation,

98
00:06:21,220 --> 00:06:23,029
a baroque display of official grief

99
00:06:23,030 --> 00:06:25,139
and a demand for financial
compensation.

100
00:06:25,140 --> 00:06:27,380
-From?
-From whomever they can find to blame.

101
00:06:27,730 --> 00:06:29,829
We don't want it to be Serbia,
do we?

102
00:06:29,830 --> 00:06:31,229
-No.
-It would be messy.

103
00:06:31,230 --> 00:06:33,119
-It would...
-Yes?

104
00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:37,329
Austria does have rather too many
unruly Serbs within its own borders

105
00:06:37,330 --> 00:06:40,149
to go picking a fight with
a whole lot more outside.

106
00:06:40,150 --> 00:06:42,459
-So do we need to worry?
-We always need to do that.

107
00:06:42,460 --> 00:06:44,290
But I should enjoy my supper?

108
00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,389
<i>You know,
Sir Edward might also have been</i>

109
00:06:52,390 --> 00:06:54,620
<i>the unluckiest man in Britain.</i>

110
00:06:55,220 --> 00:06:56,929
<i>His wife had recently died</i>

111
00:06:56,930 --> 00:06:59,129
<i>after being thrown by a horse.</i>

112
00:06:59,130 --> 00:07:01,409
-How is your boy doing?
-Very well, sir.

113
00:07:01,410 --> 00:07:03,359
I hope to see him
back here before long.

114
00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,859
<i>His elder brother
had been eaten by a lion</i>

115
00:07:05,860 --> 00:07:09,880
<i>'and his younger brother would be
mauled to death by a buffalo.</i>

116
00:07:10,910 --> 00:07:13,869
<i>That is enough personal tragedy
to finish a man,</i>

117
00:07:13,870 --> 00:07:17,489
<i>but Grey bore it,
somehow.</i>

118
00:07:17,490 --> 00:07:19,279
That dreadful man,
Eyre Crowe,

119
00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:22,659
I'll wager he sees
this as an opportunity

120
00:07:22,660 --> 00:07:24,829
-to have a go at the Germans.
-Now, now, dear,

121
00:07:24,830 --> 00:07:27,809
Sir Edward has come
here to relax, not to talk shop.

122
00:07:27,810 --> 00:07:30,559
Nonsense, he loves
talking shop, you all do.

123
00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,849
Look at David over there.
Do you want him to recite Welsh poetry?

124
00:07:33,850 --> 00:07:35,199
No, you don't.

125
00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,959
You want him to relate some
tittle-tattle from the Treasury!

126
00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:41,049
You can never distinguish between a
dinner party and a cabinet meeting

127
00:07:41,050 --> 00:07:44,949
and much as we would all welcome
your feminine wisdom in Cabinet,

128
00:07:44,950 --> 00:07:47,950
-Margot, there is a difference!
-More's the pity!

129
00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:52,970
But at least tell me this,
Sir Edward, is it Serbia or Servia?

130
00:07:53,930 --> 00:07:58,119
-B for "Barbarian", or V for "Villain"?
-I am at a loss.

131
00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:01,689
Some of our clerks type
it up as B, others V.

132
00:08:01,690 --> 00:08:02,999
The Times favours V.

133
00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,359
Never.
In the Manchester Guardian, it is B.

134
00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:07,919
And the News of the World says,
"Who the hell cares?"

135
00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,020
-About the spelling?
-About anything!

136
00:08:10,780 --> 00:08:13,339
I have no firm allegiance to either,
Margot.

137
00:08:13,340 --> 00:08:14,889
Well, you should get these
things straight.

138
00:08:14,890 --> 00:08:17,089
A misspelt name is like a
forgotten face.

139
00:08:17,090 --> 00:08:18,619
A grave insult.

140
00:08:18,620 --> 00:08:21,469
Just the sort of thing men will
go to war over.

141
00:08:21,470 --> 00:08:22,779
Quite so!

142
00:08:22,780 --> 00:08:26,039
Those Serbs do appear to enjoy
killing royalty, though.

143
00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,909
-We don't know it is the Serbs yet.
-Yes, but Margot is quite correct.

144
00:08:29,910 --> 00:08:33,049
They are thrilled by violence,
by the reality, not just the idea.

145
00:08:33,050 --> 00:08:34,640
Winston's kind of people!

146
00:08:35,450 --> 00:08:39,480
Their own King Alexander stripped
and butchered in the Royal bedchamber.

147
00:08:40,130 --> 00:08:41,780
His wife, too.

148
00:08:42,090 --> 00:08:46,259
-Both of them thrown from open windows.
-It is the land of the blood feud.

149
00:08:46,260 --> 00:08:48,659
A contested will,
pistols are drawn.

150
00:08:48,660 --> 00:08:52,199
An argument over a worthless
plot of land, out come the knives.

151
00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,209
And the embittered past,
always there -

152
00:08:55,210 --> 00:08:57,149
threatening to engorge the present.

153
00:08:57,150 --> 00:08:59,339
Dear God,
it sounds just like Ireland.

154
00:08:59,340 --> 00:09:01,739
Please,
can we not talk about that?!

155
00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:03,419
-Here, here.
-Of course, my dear,

156
00:09:03,420 --> 00:09:06,919
except to say, that if I were
Prime Minister instead of you,

157
00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,409
I'd have had the leaders of the
Ulster Volunteer Force shot by now.

158
00:09:10,410 --> 00:09:12,779
-I do believe she would!
-And anyone else

159
00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:15,629
bent on using guns to
overturn the decisions

160
00:09:15,630 --> 00:09:17,439
of the British House of
Commons.

161
00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:18,749
Bloodshed.

162
00:09:18,750 --> 00:09:20,689
The perfect solution
to the Irish problem!

163
00:09:20,690 --> 00:09:22,090
But there will be blood.

164
00:09:22,450 --> 00:09:24,659
You've all let it slide too far.

165
00:09:24,660 --> 00:09:26,760
The only question is, whose?

166
00:09:28,090 --> 00:09:29,390
Thank you, Margot.

167
00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:35,390
You have been keeping your cards close
to your chest tonight, Sir Edward.

168
00:09:36,710 --> 00:09:38,010
So,

169
00:09:38,500 --> 00:09:39,800
please,

170
00:09:40,390 --> 00:09:42,649
give me something to take away.

171
00:09:42,650 --> 00:09:44,659
Ireland is not my department,
Margot.

172
00:09:44,660 --> 00:09:46,279
I am not talking about that.

173
00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,809
Home rule will be resisted by Ulster,
and the Tory leadership,

174
00:09:49,810 --> 00:09:52,550
and there will be a horrible
civil war, that is obvious.

175
00:09:53,430 --> 00:09:58,760
Now, I want to know about
the Sarajevo assassination.

176
00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:03,220
-Should I be worried?
-Well, I don't see why.

177
00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:08,600
You see, now I am worried.
I can read you like a book.

178
00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:11,739
Well, I do hope I am not so
transparent

179
00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:13,140
to foreign diplomats.

180
00:10:13,460 --> 00:10:14,769
So...

181
00:10:14,770 --> 00:10:17,479
what is the Foreign Office
plotting?

182
00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:18,889
"Plotting"?

183
00:10:18,890 --> 00:10:22,110
We all know you sit
on a mountain of secrets.

184
00:10:22,940 --> 00:10:24,799
Nobody is plotting anything,
Margot,

185
00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:26,479
but you have my assurance,

186
00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:28,639
if this country has
anything to worry about

187
00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:30,750
you will be the first to be told.

188
00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:33,029
-Edward.
-Thank you.

189
00:10:33,030 --> 00:10:34,339
Good night, Winston.

190
00:10:34,340 --> 00:10:35,640
-Yes.
-Edward.

191
00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:38,880
Good night, David.

192
00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:49,299
Thank the Lord
I am not married to her.

193
00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:51,490
If I had been,
I'd be a widower by now.

194
00:10:53,260 --> 00:10:54,560
Sorry, Edward.

195
00:10:54,930 --> 00:10:56,520
Damn careless of me.

196
00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:01,680
But I must say,
I do hope it's not the Serbs.

197
00:11:02,190 --> 00:11:04,299
Because if it is
Austria won't be happy

198
00:11:04,300 --> 00:11:07,180
until their army has been
billeted in Belgrade.

199
00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:08,820
I am not sure.

200
00:11:09,690 --> 00:11:12,980
And then we will have the
Russians rattling their sabres.

201
00:11:13,290 --> 00:11:16,879
We don't want a Slav common front
developing over this.

202
00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,480
I can't imagine Austria would be
stupid enough to provoke that.

203
00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,250
-Good night, Edward.
-Good night.

204
00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:30,600
I am certain you will make us proud
if you are called upon.

205
00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,289
You are still up, William.
That wasn't necessary.

206
00:11:42,290 --> 00:11:45,759
-It's me.
-Crowe?

207
00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:50,289
-I was let in by your men.
-What is it?

208
00:11:50,290 --> 00:11:53,610
I was right, it was a Serb.

209
00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:59,809
A young student,
a fanatic, clearly,

210
00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:02,869
possibly an anarchist, I forget.

211
00:12:02,870 --> 00:12:04,429
Principo, I think.

212
00:12:04,430 --> 00:12:08,470
The details all are here,
such as they are.

213
00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,809
I thought you would want to know
before the morning papers.

214
00:12:13,810 --> 00:12:15,110
Thank you, Crowe.

215
00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:23,609
<i>The Archduke's assassin was
Gavrilo Princip,</i>

216
00:12:23,610 --> 00:12:26,719
<i>a Bosnian Serb, and a nonentity,</i>

217
00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:30,659
<i>but a nonentity
with a very powerful idea.</i>

218
00:12:30,660 --> 00:12:32,979
<i>Princip believed that Bosnia</i>

219
00:12:32,980 --> 00:12:35,239
<i>should be part of
the Kingdom of Serbia</i>

220
00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:37,039
<i>and that it would take violence</i>

221
00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,499
<i>to get rid of the province's
Austrian overlords,</i>

222
00:12:39,500 --> 00:12:43,280
<i>violence that he and his
friends were willing to inflict.</i>

223
00:12:45,680 --> 00:12:48,190
<i>And the victim
they chose was this man.</i>

224
00:12:48,650 --> 00:12:50,999
<i>The Archduke Franz Ferdinand.</i>

225
00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:54,849
<i>The heir to the Habsburg throne
and the symbol of everything Princip</i>

226
00:12:54,850 --> 00:12:57,079
<i>hated about Austrian rule -</i>

227
00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:00,980
<i>its arrogance, its bullying, and...</i>

228
00:13:01,560 --> 00:13:04,629
<i>Well, the sheer fact that it
regarded the Serbs in the province</i>

229
00:13:04,630 --> 00:13:06,799
<i>as an inferior race.</i>

230
00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,499
<i>And it was madness for
a Habsburg to visit Sarajevo</i>

231
00:13:09,500 --> 00:13:11,149
<i>on this day of all days,</i>

232
00:13:11,150 --> 00:13:15,709
<i>for the 28th was the most important
date in the Serb calendar.</i>

233
00:13:15,710 --> 00:13:17,490
<i>A day of holy mourning.</i>

234
00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,649
<i>It would be like an English king
going, in battle dress,</i>

235
00:13:21,650 --> 00:13:23,399
<i>to Dublin on St Patrick's Day.</i>

236
00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,030
<i>An act of self destruction.</i>

237
00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,490
<i>Yet this fool might
still have escaped.</i>

238
00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,569
The young assassins
had lost their nerve

239
00:13:31,570 --> 00:13:34,149
<i>and all Princip had seen
of the Archduke's car</i>

240
00:13:34,150 --> 00:13:36,950
<i>was a blur as it raced by.</i>

241
00:13:38,560 --> 00:13:40,800
<i>He had retreated to a little cafe</i>

242
00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,990
<i>and was no doubt contemplating
what might have been.</i>

243
00:13:46,790 --> 00:13:48,099
<i>But then...</i>

244
00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:50,160
<i>by some perverse roll of the dice,</i>

245
00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,090
<i>the boy got a second chance.</i>

246
00:13:53,680 --> 00:13:55,529
-Back, back!
-It is fine!

247
00:13:55,530 --> 00:13:58,609
<i>The Archduke's driver had got lost
in the city's old town</i>

248
00:13:58,610 --> 00:14:00,049
<i>and the car...</i>

249
00:14:00,050 --> 00:14:04,559
<i>Well, this makes
me laugh and cry even now,</i>

250
00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:09,300
<i>the car was stuck right outside
Princip's coffee house.</i>

251
00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:29,890
<i>These shots, from this boy,
they were loud in Sarajevo.</i>

252
00:14:30,870 --> 00:14:34,150
<i>'I promise you,
they were even louder in Berlin.</i>

253
00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:39,060
32 DAYS TO WAR

254
00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,459
<i>For Austria was our ally</i>

255
00:14:47,460 --> 00:14:50,350
<i>and Franz Ferdinand was our friend.</i>

256
00:14:51,750 --> 00:14:53,059
Good morning.

257
00:14:53,060 --> 00:14:56,169
<i>For most of my colleagues in the
Chancellery of the German Reich,</i>

258
00:14:56,170 --> 00:15:00,600
<i>it was as if we ourselves
had been shot.</i>

259
00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:06,120
<i>There were very few like me
in the Imperial Government.</i>

260
00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,739
<i>I count myself a liberal</i>

261
00:15:11,740 --> 00:15:16,530
<i>and liberalism is understood to be
a kind of poison here.</i>

262
00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:26,060
<i>I favour making the Fatherland
a true democracy, too.</i>

263
00:15:26,370 --> 00:15:29,169
<i>And that,
should it ever become known,</i>

264
00:15:29,170 --> 00:15:32,160
<i>would be enough
to see me cashiered.</i>

265
00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,310
<i>For this is a Prussian
institution, still,</i>

266
00:15:35,990 --> 00:15:37,720
<i>not a German one.</i>

267
00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,350
<i>And here is
the man at the head of it -</i>

268
00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:48,560
<i>the Imperial Chancellor,
Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg.</i>

269
00:15:49,010 --> 00:15:51,569
The Kaiser needs to know
the title of the book,

270
00:15:51,570 --> 00:15:54,879
not the chapter and verse.
This one.

271
00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,409
<i>Bethmann-Hollweg
had spent a lifetime</i>

272
00:15:57,410 --> 00:15:59,080
<i>in the Prussian civil service.</i>

273
00:15:59,590 --> 00:16:01,849
<i>He was extremely competent</i>

274
00:16:01,850 --> 00:16:03,959
<i>and he knew that the murder
in Sarajevo</i>

275
00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:06,559
<i>would affect our Kaiser personally.'</i>

276
00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:09,809
They were friends.
They were more than friends.

277
00:16:09,810 --> 00:16:11,690
They were hunting partners.

278
00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,969
What became of the antelope
population of Bohemia?

279
00:16:14,970 --> 00:16:18,209
One day, perhaps, there are children
who'll want to know the answer.

280
00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:20,559
You can tell them it was eliminated

281
00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:22,889
in the course of
one glorious weekend

282
00:16:22,890 --> 00:16:26,719
-by the Archduke and our Kaiser.
-They achieved that?

283
00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,009
It is impossible to kill
so many living things

284
00:16:29,010 --> 00:16:31,840
and not effect a bond of some kind.

285
00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:37,970
<i>But Bethmann-Hollweg's special
gift was for obedience.</i>

286
00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,290
<i>Obedience to the right man.</i>

287
00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,110
<i>Obedience to this man...</i>

288
00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,140
<i>..Kaiser Wilhelm II.</i>

289
00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:51,050
<i>You all know him.</i>

290
00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:55,150
<i>The eldest grandson
of Queen Victoria.</i>

291
00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:57,539
<i>The withered left arm</i>

292
00:16:57,540 --> 00:17:01,260
<i>with which he was yanked into life
by a panic-stricken midwife.</i>

293
00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:04,640
<i>The moustache pointing to heaven.</i>

294
00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,880
<i>He was often a puzzle
to us, though.</i>

295
00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:15,640
No crime greater.

296
00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:20,540
There is no crime greater.

297
00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:25,129
Regicide attacks
the apex of civilised life.

298
00:17:25,130 --> 00:17:26,620
When you kill a king

299
00:17:27,360 --> 00:17:30,689
you kill the order
in which people find all meaning.

300
00:17:30,690 --> 00:17:33,160
-Your Majesty...
-And these Serbs! I hate them!

301
00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:36,280
We all do.

302
00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:41,260
I know it's a sin to hate anybody
and we ought not to do it.

303
00:17:42,120 --> 00:17:44,550
But we cannot help hating them!

304
00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:50,660
Tell them about the Browning.

305
00:17:53,360 --> 00:17:55,859
The gun that was shot in Sarajevo.

306
00:17:55,860 --> 00:17:57,160
Yes.

307
00:17:57,940 --> 00:17:59,240
Well.

308
00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,389
We don't know for certain,
but it might appear...

309
00:18:03,390 --> 00:18:05,200
We know!

310
00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,140
The bullet displays markings
of the Royal Serbian arsenal.

311
00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,239
That's what Vienna is telling us.

312
00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,150
It wasn't a deluded boy
who fired the gun,

313
00:18:16,460 --> 00:18:18,280
it was the Serbian Government.

314
00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,079
It is possible the gun was stolen.

315
00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:24,839
It is fairly well known,
I think,

316
00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:26,839
that practically every
farm in Serbia

317
00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,459
has become a dump
for pilfered weapons

318
00:18:29,460 --> 00:18:31,570
since the last Balkan war.

319
00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,820
Good, Prince Lichnowsky.

320
00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,090
That is what they will want us
to think.

321
00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,290
What does my Chancellor say?

322
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,119
In terms of Imperial policy, sir,

323
00:18:48,120 --> 00:18:52,169
we first ought to see what line
of thinking emerges from Vienna.

324
00:18:52,170 --> 00:18:55,439
In the meantime,
we might sound out the Russians,

325
00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:58,639
for the obvious reason that
they continue to see themselves

326
00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:00,819
as the
"protectors of the Serbian nation".

327
00:19:00,820 --> 00:19:04,439
We know from experience
that Russia gets nervous

328
00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,839
whenever there is a disturbance
in the Balkans...

329
00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,889
Do you think that is
an appropriate German response,

330
00:19:09,890 --> 00:19:11,800
to wait and see how Russia reacts?

331
00:19:12,730 --> 00:19:14,739
I didn't quite say that,
Your Majesty.

332
00:19:14,740 --> 00:19:16,040
It's what you meant!

333
00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:29,850
The Austrians! They're our problem.
Isn't that so?

334
00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:34,449
As soon as the corpse is buried,
their courage will fail.

335
00:19:34,450 --> 00:19:36,459
And if it fails this time,
she is finished.

336
00:19:36,460 --> 00:19:41,619
Every Serb, Croat, Polack,
Transylvanian-Romanian-Negro-Gypsy

337
00:19:41,620 --> 00:19:44,129
in the Habsburg Empire,
any race with a grievance,

338
00:19:44,130 --> 00:19:46,889
will pick up the gun
and point it to the Austrian heart!

339
00:19:46,890 --> 00:19:49,030
We all know this, don't we?

340
00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:53,090
Well, don't we?

341
00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:58,650
That is why, this time,
we must give Vienna some backbone.

342
00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:02,899
Serbia must learn to fear
the Habsburgs again.

343
00:20:02,900 --> 00:20:04,359
Hear, hear.

344
00:20:04,360 --> 00:20:05,909
We should let Austria know

345
00:20:05,910 --> 00:20:08,519
that whatever she intends to do
to the Serbs,

346
00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:10,480
we shall support her.

347
00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,469
Won't they still procrastinate?

348
00:20:13,470 --> 00:20:16,529
Not if Bethmann here tells them
that our support is conditional

349
00:20:16,530 --> 00:20:20,480
on their taking immediate and
decisive action against the Serbs.

350
00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:24,899
Military action?

351
00:20:24,900 --> 00:20:29,060
Of course, military action!
But it must be swift!

352
00:20:29,770 --> 00:20:32,140
None of their usual
coming and going.

353
00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:36,810
Look at you!

354
00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,180
You're all worried about Russia.

355
00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:45,840
Where the hell is Moltke
when you need him?

356
00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,290
That was not a rhetorical question.

357
00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,660
Well, General Moltke is still on
vacation in Carlsbad, Your Majesty.

358
00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:59,059
My Chief of Staff
didn't think it worthwhile

359
00:20:59,060 --> 00:21:01,860
to break his holiday over
this, like the rest of us?

360
00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,700
I have an appointment with him
in two days' time, Your Majesty.

361
00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:09,350
And for the rest of you.

362
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,320
Stop worrying about Russia.

363
00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,059
If there's one man in the world

364
00:21:18,060 --> 00:21:20,850
who detests regicide more
than I do, it's the Tsar.

365
00:21:22,360 --> 00:21:24,189
God knows,
his family has seen

366
00:21:24,190 --> 00:21:26,450
enough king-killers in its time.

367
00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:30,430
Prince Lichnowsky, if you will.

368
00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:40,569
-You will be returning to London soon?
-Tomorrow night, Your Majesty.

369
00:21:40,570 --> 00:21:42,800
Yes, yes, tomorrow, that's right.

370
00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:45,149
You know, Max,

371
00:21:45,150 --> 00:21:49,529
what really matters is what
our English cousins will say.

372
00:21:49,530 --> 00:21:52,450
They don't understand that,
but we do.

373
00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:54,750
Look at this.

374
00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:59,219
Do you know where
this oak comes from?

375
00:21:59,220 --> 00:22:03,409
I suppose it... You're going
to tell me it's from England.

376
00:22:03,410 --> 00:22:06,270
Better than that Max.
Much better than that.

377
00:22:06,810 --> 00:22:09,690
It's from the quarterdeck
of Nelson's Victory.

378
00:22:10,210 --> 00:22:12,390
It's a gift from my grandmother.

379
00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:17,500
You can still smell the salt.

380
00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:23,039
Do you know that Lord Nelson
used to get sea-sick?

381
00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:24,409
I can get sea-sick,
too.

382
00:22:24,410 --> 00:22:26,510
It's a damn shame for us sailors.

383
00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,210
Do you think Sir Edward Grey

384
00:22:31,750 --> 00:22:34,589
will be in a flap over
what has happened?

385
00:22:34,590 --> 00:22:37,460
I have always found him
to be very calm.

386
00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:40,739
Easy to be, of course,

387
00:22:40,740 --> 00:22:44,559
when you have the deck of cards
arranged just as you want it.

388
00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:46,270
That is true, sir.

389
00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,020
It is.

390
00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:54,180
And I'm pleased...

391
00:22:54,590 --> 00:22:58,250
you think
Edward Grey will be calm.

392
00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,030
Austria needs...

393
00:23:04,540 --> 00:23:08,629
to be loved by the other
great powers.

394
00:23:08,630 --> 00:23:11,200
She's gravely ill. We all know that.

395
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,310
The best medicine is
to get their soldiers

396
00:23:15,940 --> 00:23:19,599
in some foreign capital,
just for a short while.

397
00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:21,259
The Serbs are wild animals.

398
00:23:21,260 --> 00:23:24,709
But you can tame them,
and then you can order them around.

399
00:23:24,710 --> 00:23:27,060
They have a special
talent for servility.

400
00:23:31,240 --> 00:23:33,370
You're my friend, Max.

401
00:23:34,360 --> 00:23:36,099
I picked you for London myself

402
00:23:36,100 --> 00:23:39,049
because I wanted somebody there
who would tell me the truth.

403
00:23:39,050 --> 00:23:40,950
Not just what I want to hear.

404
00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:47,799
Well, I believe Grey
will look sympathetically

405
00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,840
on any Austrian effort
to punish the assassins.

406
00:23:51,720 --> 00:23:53,219
But we should be aware

407
00:23:53,220 --> 00:23:56,049
that there is still something
in the British mind

408
00:23:56,050 --> 00:23:59,540
that revolts
against overweening force.

409
00:24:00,050 --> 00:24:02,390
Against the bully,
if you will.

410
00:24:03,210 --> 00:24:05,050
Especially in the Balkans.

411
00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:09,990
It is still the land
of Lord Byron, in that respect.

412
00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:15,799
Yes, yes, of course.

413
00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,429
They see a large nation oppress
a small one and...

414
00:24:19,430 --> 00:24:21,299
it raises a...

415
00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:24,000
protective instinct, I suppose.

416
00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,980
Unless Britain herself
is the oppressor.

417
00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,150
And then they call it paternalism!

418
00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:35,799
There is some truth in that, sir.

419
00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:38,779
The hypocrisy of the English, Max!

420
00:24:38,780 --> 00:24:41,220
I don't know how you endure it.

421
00:24:46,730 --> 00:24:49,739
30 DAY TO WAR

422
00:24:49,740 --> 00:24:51,049
<i>Two days later,</i>

423
00:24:51,050 --> 00:24:53,820
<i>the Kaiser's
belligerent thoughts about Serbia,</i>

424
00:24:54,490 --> 00:24:56,920
<i>now written up into smooth prose,</i>

425
00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:00,980
<i>were handed to the Austrian
ambassador in Berlin.</i>

426
00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,639
<i>Look at him.
So smug.</i>

427
00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,690
Our respects to Vienna.

428
00:25:07,050 --> 00:25:08,350
<i>Why?</i>

429
00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:12,380
<i>Because he's Hungarian nobility
and that's their style?</i>

430
00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:17,140
<i>Or maybe it's the Kaiser's
astonishing document in his hand.</i>

431
00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,600
<i>"We will back you", it said,
"in whatever you choose to do".</i>

432
00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,589
<i>We would all come to know
the Kaiser's memorandum to Austria</i>

433
00:25:27,590 --> 00:25:29,430
<i>as "the blank cheque".</i>

434
00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:32,829
<i>But that phrase
doesn't really do it justice.</i>

435
00:25:32,830 --> 00:25:34,680
<i>It implies a choice.</i>

436
00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:42,359
<i>Whereas we were expecting,
even requiring the Austrians</i>

437
00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:44,710
<i>to open hostilities with Serbia.</i>

438
00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:52,089
<i>Of course, the old Emperor
in Vienna, Franz Joseph,</i>

439
00:25:52,090 --> 00:25:54,520
<i>worked to his own stroke.</i>

440
00:25:57,240 --> 00:26:00,250
<i>66 years he had sat on his throne.</i>

441
00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:06,230
<i>What was urgency to a man like that?</i>

442
00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:10,960
<i>Our blank cheque was meant to be
cashed straightaway.</i>

443
00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:14,300
<i>There was little chance of that.</i>

444
00:26:15,050 --> 00:26:16,639
<i>Nothing happened.</i>

445
00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:20,959
<i>It was as if the Balkans
went back to sleep.</i>

446
00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:25,049
No guns were raised,
<i>no cannons were wheeled out.</i>

447
00:26:25,050 --> 00:26:27,000
<i>No armies moved.</i>

448
00:26:31,770 --> 00:26:33,779
<i>In my opinion,</i>
war's a certainty.

449
00:26:33,780 --> 00:26:35,849
Too many guns in circulation now

450
00:26:35,850 --> 00:26:38,150
to bring politics back
into the equation.

451
00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:41,559
-Winston?
-Yeah, here's our problem.

452
00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:45,859
About 30,000 German rifles
have been landed at Larne,

453
00:26:45,860 --> 00:26:48,319
County Antrim,
in the past few months.

454
00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:51,559
Now, we can get no help
from the local authorities there,

455
00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:54,669
once those weapons are in the hands
of the Ulster Volunteers.

456
00:26:54,670 --> 00:26:57,520
Because the Ulster Volunteers
ARE the local authorities?

457
00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:01,649
There's no greater opponent of Irish
home rule than the Irish policeman.

458
00:27:01,650 --> 00:27:04,399
The Royal Irish Constabulary.

459
00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,349
Unswervingly loyal
to Westminster,

460
00:27:07,350 --> 00:27:09,759
until the moment they don't
want to be.

461
00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:13,369
Our fairest chance is for me
to put more ships into the Irish Sea

462
00:27:13,370 --> 00:27:15,579
to try and intercept the gun running.

463
00:27:15,580 --> 00:27:18,190
But, of course,
it's the Nationalists, too, who...

464
00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:22,479
What is it, Edward?

465
00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:24,210
Well, perhaps it's nothing.

466
00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:28,039
Well,
it transpires that the assassins -

467
00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:33,569
the Sarajevo assassins -
were trained in Belgrade.

468
00:27:33,570 --> 00:27:36,609
-The Black Hand?
-Well, that's what they call themselves.

469
00:27:36,610 --> 00:27:40,679
-It's a pantomime name.
-Not pantomime blood, unfortunately.

470
00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:41,989
Quite.

471
00:27:41,990 --> 00:27:47,219
Evidently the Black Hand has
warned the Serbian secret service,

472
00:27:47,220 --> 00:27:49,729
whose leading officers seem
to be terrorists

473
00:27:49,730 --> 00:27:51,569
in all but name.

474
00:27:51,570 --> 00:27:55,299
I don't think the Serbian
Prime Minister or his Cabinet

475
00:27:55,300 --> 00:27:57,599
knew anything of Princip

476
00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:00,860
or indeed how far this
Black Hand stretches.

477
00:28:01,370 --> 00:28:03,569
The Austrians know all this,
presumably?

478
00:28:03,570 --> 00:28:05,429
According to our intercepts,
they do.

479
00:28:05,430 --> 00:28:08,959
Well. That's good.
Means they've absorbed the shock.

480
00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:11,859
But still no official
reaction from Vienna?

481
00:28:11,860 --> 00:28:13,990
-Nothing.
-So what do you think is happening?

482
00:28:14,360 --> 00:28:17,209
Well, I imagine that
the Austrian and Serb governments

483
00:28:17,210 --> 00:28:19,959
have opened a private channel
of communication

484
00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:23,020
and are sorting the problem
out between themselves.

485
00:28:23,330 --> 00:28:24,630
But?

486
00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:26,740
But?

487
00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:30,569
I'm expecting you to say what you
always say at this moment.

488
00:28:30,570 --> 00:28:31,870
Yes, yes?

489
00:28:32,900 --> 00:28:35,119
What do I always say?

490
00:28:35,120 --> 00:28:38,619
You wear what you imagine
is your guileless face

491
00:28:38,620 --> 00:28:42,979
and you tell me that where
central Europe is concerned,

492
00:28:42,980 --> 00:28:48,250
it is better to listen to what
Berlin is saying than Vienna.

493
00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:53,479
-I do that?
-And then you say...

494
00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,489
In fact, why don't you say it now
while I get my things together?

495
00:28:56,490 --> 00:28:58,979
No, I know the face.
You don't have to do that.

496
00:28:58,980 --> 00:29:00,370
Just give me the words.

497
00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:06,459
I probably say something like,
"Austria's reached the point

498
00:29:06,460 --> 00:29:08,319
"where she can do nothing
in her foreign policy

499
00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:10,600
"without consulting Germany first."

500
00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:16,209
But sometimes
I go further than that and say,

501
00:29:16,210 --> 00:29:19,080
"Austrian policy is
made in Berlin."

502
00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:21,399
-As you know.
-Good.

503
00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,850
I'm glad you've got
that off your chest.

504
00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:27,159
And you know I have an appointment

505
00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:30,059
on this beautiful
summer's afternoon

506
00:29:30,060 --> 00:29:32,319
with the Invincibles,

507
00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:36,389
which not even the appearance
of the German Navy in the Channel

508
00:29:36,390 --> 00:29:38,310
would stop me from attending.

509
00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,029
Very Francis Drake,
Foreign Secretary.

510
00:29:41,030 --> 00:29:44,289
You know, Crowe,
you should really take up cricket.

511
00:29:44,290 --> 00:29:47,229
It teaches one an awful lot
about life.

512
00:29:47,230 --> 00:29:50,010
Prince Lichnowsky loves it.

513
00:29:57,460 --> 00:29:59,070
The cover drive!

514
00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:02,599
You know, that's the finest sight
in cricket.

515
00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:04,719
And in the whole field of sport,
Edward?

516
00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:07,359
Quite so.
Good to see you back, Max.

517
00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:09,370
I was sorry to miss your innings.

518
00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:13,259
-You mean you blinked?
-It was over that quickly?

519
00:30:13,260 --> 00:30:15,269
Clean bowled, I'm afraid.

520
00:30:15,270 --> 00:30:16,570
Hardly saw it.

521
00:30:16,980 --> 00:30:18,449
Your eyes?

522
00:30:18,450 --> 00:30:21,730
No! It was just a very fast ball.

523
00:30:22,340 --> 00:30:25,850
Let's take a walk around the rope.

524
00:30:26,980 --> 00:30:30,909
I've been reassured
by the Austrian silence.

525
00:30:30,910 --> 00:30:33,659
-I think that's a good sign, don't you?
-I do.

526
00:30:33,660 --> 00:30:35,769
It suggests a very responsible
approach,

527
00:30:35,770 --> 00:30:37,570
the Balkans being
such a tinderbox.

528
00:30:38,010 --> 00:30:39,560
I agree.

529
00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:42,759
There's two there!

530
00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:45,930
Let's just speculate for a moment,
if you don't mind.

531
00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:51,209
What do you think would happen
if Austria decided to punish Serbia?

532
00:30:51,210 --> 00:30:53,999
-To punish her?
-Teach her a lesson.

533
00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:58,449
Do you believe that Russia would
come to the aid of the Serbs?

534
00:30:58,450 --> 00:31:00,790
Well, she might.

535
00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:06,639
And if that happened, would France
have to follow Russia and...

536
00:31:06,640 --> 00:31:09,249
Would Britain be bound to
follow France?

537
00:31:09,250 --> 00:31:10,550
Yes.

538
00:31:10,900 --> 00:31:13,259
Would Britain be bound
to follow France?

539
00:31:13,260 --> 00:31:14,560
Yes...

540
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:20,050
You're trying to get me to say that
if Russia cries help,

541
00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:25,279
a French gendarme and a British
bobby will turn up on the doorstep.

542
00:31:25,280 --> 00:31:27,050
You're teasing me, Edward.

543
00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:31,299
I fear you are almost trying
to tell me something, Max.

544
00:31:31,300 --> 00:31:34,409
But you do have an
understanding with France.

545
00:31:34,410 --> 00:31:37,390
You know we do,
just as we have one with Russia.

546
00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:40,189
But nothing that
binds you in a crisis?

547
00:31:40,190 --> 00:31:41,809
We are still speculating.

548
00:31:41,810 --> 00:31:44,079
Yes, well, I have nothing to hide.

549
00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:47,299
His Majesty's Government has
an obligation to Parliament

550
00:31:47,300 --> 00:31:48,959
not to incur...

551
00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:52,119
secret liabilities abroad,
you know that.

552
00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:54,699
I often think we are
a little more open

553
00:31:54,700 --> 00:31:57,050
on that score than you are.

554
00:31:57,730 --> 00:32:00,629
I sometimes wonder what
your Reichstag doesn't know.

555
00:32:00,630 --> 00:32:02,959
I'll tell you this,
no speculation now.

556
00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:04,669
What happened last week

557
00:32:04,670 --> 00:32:08,899
much depends on Austria maintaining
its sense of proportion.

558
00:32:08,900 --> 00:32:12,230
It's important that Serb sentiment
isn't raised to a point

559
00:32:12,690 --> 00:32:16,080
where Russia finds it impossible
to stand aside.

560
00:32:21,140 --> 00:32:22,510
<i>-Good shot.</i>
-Edward?

561
00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:24,489
About your eyes?

562
00:32:24,490 --> 00:32:26,949
I told you,
it was a very quick ball.

563
00:32:26,950 --> 00:32:28,659
Yes, of course.

564
00:32:28,660 --> 00:32:31,959
But the physician I mentioned
in Nuremberg,

565
00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:33,269
the oculist,

566
00:32:33,270 --> 00:32:35,889
he can see you in August
when you take your vacation.

567
00:32:35,890 --> 00:32:38,150
The whole thing would be
very discreet.

568
00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:43,899
Thank you, Max.

569
00:32:43,900 --> 00:32:46,480
There are some secrets
we have to keep.

570
00:32:47,030 --> 00:32:49,809
You know, Edward,
we can take this to Parliament,

571
00:32:49,810 --> 00:32:52,569
-share the load.
-No, I wouldn't want to do that.

572
00:32:52,570 --> 00:32:54,259
At least not yet.

573
00:32:54,260 --> 00:32:56,569
The Commons has a right to know.

574
00:32:56,570 --> 00:32:58,459
-Of course.
-And she will want to know.

575
00:32:58,460 --> 00:33:02,290
For the moment, I would like to keep
it within the charmed circle.

576
00:33:02,970 --> 00:33:06,689
"Charmed circle"?
I wonder who that might be.

577
00:33:06,690 --> 00:33:08,349
You've sacked the butler,
have you, dear?

578
00:33:08,350 --> 00:33:09,679
Foreign Office?

579
00:33:09,680 --> 00:33:12,199
Crowe's cabal in the
Foreign Office?

580
00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:14,559
-Just you and Crowe?
-Please, Margot.

581
00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:18,289
-One sugar or two.
-Two.

582
00:33:18,290 --> 00:33:21,439
Diplomacy,
all those silken phrases.

583
00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:24,209
Why don't you just come out
and say what you mean for once?

584
00:33:24,210 --> 00:33:28,149
Why don't you say what you
mean when you see a friend

585
00:33:28,150 --> 00:33:29,959
wearing a dress you don't like?

586
00:33:29,960 --> 00:33:31,269
She does.

587
00:33:31,270 --> 00:33:34,579
Well,
some things are better not said.

588
00:33:34,580 --> 00:33:36,889
-Not even the truth?
-Especially the truth.

589
00:33:36,890 --> 00:33:38,549
You never know
who will misunderstand it.

590
00:33:38,550 --> 00:33:39,859
Openness.

591
00:33:39,860 --> 00:33:43,239
We hear it from our backbenchers
all the time, together with that

592
00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:46,399
other shibboleth,
Democratic Foreign Policy.

593
00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:51,160
It wasn't so very long ago that
democracy itself sounded risible.

594
00:33:52,170 --> 00:33:56,930
Can you imagine trying to conduct
diplomacy under such conditions -

595
00:33:57,850 --> 00:34:00,169
for the clamour of popular passions?

596
00:34:00,170 --> 00:34:02,420
There would be dead bodies
everywhere.

597
00:34:03,290 --> 00:34:05,799
We are the surgeons.

598
00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:09,029
We've seen most things, and I'm sorry
if this sounds arrogant,

599
00:34:09,030 --> 00:34:10,940
we know how to use the knives.

600
00:34:20,140 --> 00:34:21,549
Do you have any chalk with you?

601
00:34:21,550 --> 00:34:24,010
This stuff doesn't seem
to work properly.

602
00:34:25,090 --> 00:34:27,209
-I... I...
-Of course you don't.

603
00:34:27,210 --> 00:34:30,859
It would be too strange if you did.
Thank you for coming, Crowe.

604
00:34:30,860 --> 00:34:34,860
I've taken the liberty of ordering up
a rather superb Elbling.

605
00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:42,820
He's odd, isn't he? Your boss.

606
00:34:44,420 --> 00:34:46,689
He's never been to
Germany in all his time

607
00:34:46,690 --> 00:34:47,999
as Foreign Secretary.

608
00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,830
Not really. He hasn't been
to Austria or Russia either.

609
00:34:52,490 --> 00:34:55,799
He says it allows him to keep
an open mind

610
00:34:55,800 --> 00:35:00,039
-and to play the ball, not the man.
-Whatever that means.

611
00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:03,209
Sporting metaphors will be
the death of us one day.

612
00:35:03,210 --> 00:35:05,429
I must confess I have
never understood

613
00:35:05,430 --> 00:35:08,139
the British obsession with sport.

614
00:35:08,140 --> 00:35:10,999
Pursuing a rolling ball

615
00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:15,390
teaches you nothing apart from
how to pursue a rolling ball.

616
00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:19,649
You should be in no doubt,
Crowe,

617
00:35:19,650 --> 00:35:21,659
there are some very
important people

618
00:35:21,660 --> 00:35:24,369
who admire what you have done
at the Foreign Office.

619
00:35:24,370 --> 00:35:28,029
It can't have been easy to educate
the old guard about Germany.

620
00:35:28,030 --> 00:35:32,480
-There was a terrible blind spot there.
-I am not popular.

621
00:35:32,850 --> 00:35:34,590
I'll bet you're not.

622
00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:38,179
No mandarin

623
00:35:38,180 --> 00:35:41,469
likes to be told they've
been hoodwinked by a rogue.

624
00:35:41,470 --> 00:35:44,619
Sir Edward though,
is a fair man.

625
00:35:44,620 --> 00:35:47,959
-There is no grudge there.
-He is supremely fair.

626
00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:52,079
He truly believes in the role
of honour in diplomacy.

627
00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,730
That's one thing a
rogue can never forgive,

628
00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:57,219
outwit them by stealth
or by deceit

629
00:35:57,220 --> 00:36:00,219
and they will grin and
bear it, they might even admire you.

630
00:36:00,220 --> 00:36:05,120
But defeat them by acting honourably
and they will burn for revenge.

631
00:36:06,540 --> 00:36:08,750
That's something cricket
doesn't teach you.

632
00:36:09,820 --> 00:36:12,489
I think I'm correct in saying
that I'm the only

633
00:36:12,490 --> 00:36:17,269
member of the entire Government who
has spent some time with the Kaiser.

634
00:36:17,270 --> 00:36:18,899
Most probably.

635
00:36:18,900 --> 00:36:21,750
He looks on war as a
child looks on war.

636
00:36:22,560 --> 00:36:26,039
He never got past the
tin soldier stage,

637
00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:29,849
uniforms, naval signals,
regimental colours,

638
00:36:29,850 --> 00:36:34,089
of actual warfare he knows
nothing and fears the worst.

639
00:36:34,090 --> 00:36:36,249
So we should treat
him like a child?

640
00:36:36,250 --> 00:36:38,110
In a manner of speaking, yes.

641
00:36:38,590 --> 00:36:42,280
The only gesture he will understand
from Britain is the raised hand.

642
00:36:43,490 --> 00:36:45,160
That's what I think.

643
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,690
You must have told Sir Edward
this yourself?

644
00:36:51,560 --> 00:36:53,990
Politics is a curious business,
isn't it?

645
00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:58,380
Who's strong?
Who's weak and whatnot?

646
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:05,580
I think it's better it comes from someone
who doesn't constitute a threat...

647
00:37:10,790 --> 00:37:15,490
28 DAYS TO WAR

648
00:37:21,640 --> 00:37:24,739
<i>Where the hell is General Moltke
when you need him?</i>

649
00:37:24,740 --> 00:37:27,790
<i>That's what the Kaiser had
asked his men in Berlin.</i>

650
00:37:28,150 --> 00:37:30,049
<i>Well, here he was.</i>

651
00:37:30,050 --> 00:37:31,960
-General?
<i>-In Carlsbad.</i>

652
00:37:32,500 --> 00:37:33,809
A storm from Berlin!

653
00:37:33,810 --> 00:37:35,169
<i>Taking the cure.</i>

654
00:37:35,170 --> 00:37:36,559
You want a towel?

655
00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:38,680
-No. Thank you.
-Someone get him one.

656
00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:47,450
<i>Every bit the Chief
of the General Staff...</i>

657
00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:53,180
<i>..even out of uniform.</i>

658
00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:58,050
<i>And I will tell you
something about this uniform.</i>

659
00:38:00,920 --> 00:38:05,240
<i>The Chief of Staff is not
a hereditary position in Germany,</i>

660
00:38:05,850 --> 00:38:09,450
<i>but Moltke's uncle had worn
it before him.</i>

661
00:38:11,060 --> 00:38:14,709
<i>And in the Franco-Prussian
War of 1870,</i>

662
00:38:14,710 --> 00:38:17,209
the uncle had led the German army

663
00:38:17,210 --> 00:38:20,910
<i>that crushed France
and occupied Paris...</i>

664
00:38:23,720 --> 00:38:26,250
<i>What did the nephew think of that?</i>

665
00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:31,070
<i>An example to follow?</i>

666
00:38:31,650 --> 00:38:33,919
<i>A burden to carry -</i>

667
00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:35,220
<i>Both?</i>

668
00:38:37,540 --> 00:38:40,050
The Kaiser thinks the
Russians will stand back

669
00:38:40,490 --> 00:38:42,999
and let the Austrian army enjoy
the whore houses

670
00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:46,729
in Belgrade for a couple of weeks,
doesn't he?

671
00:38:46,730 --> 00:38:48,979
He wants a victory without
paying a price.

672
00:38:48,980 --> 00:38:51,599
Just a small victory -
in a local war.

673
00:38:51,600 --> 00:38:54,690
But it can't happen.
The Russians aren't that stupid.

674
00:38:55,380 --> 00:38:57,389
And let's stop pretending
the Austrians

675
00:38:57,390 --> 00:39:00,049
are going to solve
our problems for us.

676
00:39:00,050 --> 00:39:01,519
I agree.

677
00:39:01,520 --> 00:39:05,070
If we really wish to change
the balance of power in the Balkans

678
00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:10,009
we ought to think about what kind
of price we are prepared to pay.

679
00:39:10,010 --> 00:39:13,060
The German army isn't just
there for decoration.

680
00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:16,389
So will you come back to Berlin?

681
00:39:16,390 --> 00:39:19,449
If I do that,
everything will speed up.

682
00:39:19,450 --> 00:39:22,009
-Precisely.
-But I don't want things to speed up,

683
00:39:22,010 --> 00:39:23,870
I want them to slow down.

684
00:39:24,650 --> 00:39:26,959
The longer things
drag on with Serbia,

685
00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:29,869
the more agitated
the Russians will get.

686
00:39:29,870 --> 00:39:31,509
With the Russians agitated,

687
00:39:31,510 --> 00:39:34,950
the less belligerent we shall
appear in the weeks to come.

688
00:39:36,980 --> 00:39:39,089
I'm staying here for a while.

689
00:39:39,090 --> 00:39:41,920
-Harder!
-Not so hard.

690
00:39:43,430 --> 00:39:48,809
28 DAYS TO WAR

691
00:39:48,810 --> 00:39:49,869
27 DAYS TO WAR

692
00:39:49,870 --> 00:39:51,239
26 DAYS TO WAR

693
00:39:51,240 --> 00:39:52,399
25 DAYS TO WAR

694
00:39:52,400 --> 00:39:53,709
24 DAYS TO WAR

695
00:39:53,710 --> 00:39:55,019
23 DAYS TO WAR

696
00:39:55,020 --> 00:39:56,079
22 DAYS TO WAR

697
00:39:56,080 --> 00:39:57,249
21 DAYS TO WAR

698
00:39:57,250 --> 00:40:00,290
21 DAYS TO WAR

699
00:40:05,840 --> 00:40:07,829
You can't send your ultimatum

700
00:40:07,830 --> 00:40:10,770
because your soldiers
are wanted at the harvest?

701
00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:17,470
What happened to the idea of farmers
doing the harvest?

702
00:40:19,440 --> 00:40:21,950
So the middle of August -
five weeks?

703
00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:25,979
You will be ready in five weeks'
time, brilliant!

704
00:40:25,980 --> 00:40:28,869
Do you think there's any chance

705
00:40:28,870 --> 00:40:31,949
the Serbs might discover
what we're up to by then?

706
00:40:31,950 --> 00:40:33,370
And the Russians?

707
00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:37,129
Will they still be seething at
the regicide in a month's time?

708
00:40:37,130 --> 00:40:40,440
Or will they be Serbia's
gallant protector again?

709
00:40:43,220 --> 00:40:44,820
Do not sit down!

710
00:40:48,280 --> 00:40:50,739
This is Austria's last chance.

711
00:40:50,740 --> 00:40:53,070
So please,
explain to your Emperor,

712
00:40:53,610 --> 00:40:55,330
using your own words,

713
00:40:55,780 --> 00:40:59,479
that unless action is taken
against Belgrade in the next week

714
00:40:59,480 --> 00:41:01,219
it will be too late.

715
00:41:01,220 --> 00:41:04,640
Too late forever.
You won't get another chance.

716
00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:16,950
It's like taking care of a pony.

717
00:41:22,360 --> 00:41:26,080
<i>Quick to take offence,
slow to act.</i>

718
00:41:27,290 --> 00:41:29,339
<i>Isn't that always
the way with people</i>

719
00:41:29,340 --> 00:41:30,949
<i>who stand on their dignity?</i>

720
00:41:30,950 --> 00:41:32,970
<i>The same with nations.</i>

721
00:41:33,860 --> 00:41:36,359
<i>Since the Archduke's assassination</i>

722
00:41:36,360 --> 00:41:38,399
<i>a whole three weeks
had passed</i>

723
00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:40,069
<i>before the Habsburg Emperor</i>

724
00:41:40,070 --> 00:41:44,020
<i>finally got round to composing
his ultimatum to Serbia.</i>

725
00:41:48,320 --> 00:41:51,440
<i>But don't be fooled by this
pathetic quadrille.</i>

726
00:41:53,720 --> 00:41:56,070
<i>Austria was in no haste,</i>

727
00:41:56,880 --> 00:41:59,680
but weak and
decadent as she was,

728
00:42:00,210 --> 00:42:04,300
<i>her vindictiveness was...
amazing.</i>

729
00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:07,550
<i>In Berlin we waited...</i>

730
00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:13,190
<i>We cursed the Austrians
for their stupor.</i>

731
00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:16,100
<i>And then...</i>

732
00:42:16,470 --> 00:42:17,959
This!

733
00:42:17,960 --> 00:42:21,059
It's inept. They might as
well have just invaded.

734
00:42:21,060 --> 00:42:23,250
This makes them look unreasonable.

735
00:42:23,810 --> 00:42:25,379
<i>Unreasonable?</i>

736
00:42:25,380 --> 00:42:29,020
<i>What Austria wanted from Serbia was
complete humiliation!</i>

737
00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:34,069
<i>In a police cell in
faraway Sarajevo,</i>

738
00:42:34,070 --> 00:42:37,860
<i>the Austrians already had the
Archduke's assassin Gavrilo Princip -</i>

739
00:42:38,260 --> 00:42:41,820
<i>he and his wretched comrades still
dreaming of a greater Serbia.</i>

740
00:42:43,520 --> 00:42:46,479
<i>And the boys had confessed
to receiving shooting lessons</i>

741
00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:48,880
<i>and a case of revolvers in
Belgrade -</i>

742
00:42:49,520 --> 00:42:52,239
<i>but now Austria blamed</i>

743
00:42:52,240 --> 00:42:54,769
<i>the entire Serb nation
for their operation</i>

744
00:42:54,770 --> 00:42:57,079
<i>and its list of demands
on the Serbian Government</i>

745
00:42:57,080 --> 00:42:59,769
was so extreme that,
in meeting them,

746
00:42:59,770 --> 00:43:03,090
<i>the Serbs would have completely
surrendered their sovereignty.</i>

747
00:43:05,020 --> 00:43:08,559
This is an astonishing ultimatum.

748
00:43:08,560 --> 00:43:11,250
-It is.
-So much for Fermanagh and Tyrone.

749
00:43:11,640 --> 00:43:13,999
I wouldn't take your eyes
off Ireland, gentlemen.

750
00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:16,529
I'm happy to.
Such a dreary bog.

751
00:43:16,530 --> 00:43:19,469
I'd bet on an Irish war
before I would a Balkan one...

752
00:43:19,470 --> 00:43:21,459
-Sadly.
-But the Austrian ultimatum

753
00:43:21,460 --> 00:43:24,069
has been purposely designed
to be rejected surely?

754
00:43:24,070 --> 00:43:26,889
It probably has.
But that doesn't mean it will be.

755
00:43:26,890 --> 00:43:29,339
So,
you have cause for hope?

756
00:43:29,340 --> 00:43:33,249
I know Serbia is in no shape
to fight a war.

757
00:43:33,250 --> 00:43:36,179
Nor I understand is Russia.

758
00:43:36,180 --> 00:43:38,980
Then they have no alternative
but to negotiate.

759
00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:46,260
Just keep them supplied with tea
until Sir Edward's ready.

760
00:43:47,640 --> 00:43:50,950
And don't...
don't let them speak to each other.

761
00:43:52,500 --> 00:43:54,100
How...how do I do that?

762
00:44:02,360 --> 00:44:04,469
<i>We'd gathered the
principal ambassadors</i>

763
00:44:04,470 --> 00:44:06,099
<i>at the Foreign Office.</i>

764
00:44:06,100 --> 00:44:08,050
<i>Prince Lichnowsky you know.</i>

765
00:44:08,980 --> 00:44:11,589
<i>Count Benckendorff -
German name,</i>

766
00:44:11,590 --> 00:44:13,980
but the ambassador for Russia.

767
00:44:14,890 --> 00:44:19,180
<i>And the Times reader is
Count Mensdorff of Austria.</i>

768
00:44:21,720 --> 00:44:23,340
<i>They're all cousins.</i>

769
00:44:24,020 --> 00:44:25,449
<i>That's worth saying again...</i>

770
00:44:25,450 --> 00:44:27,349
The three cousins are here.

771
00:44:27,350 --> 00:44:29,389
Who would you like to see first?

772
00:44:29,390 --> 00:44:31,220
Austria - I suppose.

773
00:44:34,960 --> 00:44:38,380
Count Mensdorff,
if you'd like to come this way.

774
00:44:39,940 --> 00:44:42,620
What is this country -
Servia?

775
00:44:47,880 --> 00:44:51,759
My government, after a
thorough police investigation

776
00:44:51,760 --> 00:44:54,219
into the murder
of our Archduke Franz Ferdinand

777
00:44:54,220 --> 00:44:55,529
and his consort,

778
00:44:55,530 --> 00:44:57,459
have sifted through
the accumulated evidence...

779
00:44:57,460 --> 00:45:01,480
Yes, yes, what I want to know is
what you think of this ultimatum.

780
00:45:02,920 --> 00:45:06,759
"The Serb government should
suppress any newspaper

781
00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:09,239
"which creates
anti-Austrian feeling.

782
00:45:09,240 --> 00:45:12,919
"It must outlaw all
pan-Serbian cultural societies.

783
00:45:12,920 --> 00:45:16,479
"It must rewrite its school
textbooks to eliminate any negative

784
00:45:16,480 --> 00:45:19,899
"references to
the Habsburg monarchy."

785
00:45:19,900 --> 00:45:22,089
What an extraordinary
thing to demand

786
00:45:22,090 --> 00:45:23,819
of an independent country.

787
00:45:23,820 --> 00:45:25,439
Don't you agree?

788
00:45:25,440 --> 00:45:29,489
It's as though you imagine
Serbia to be a little province

789
00:45:29,490 --> 00:45:30,799
in your own empire.

790
00:45:30,800 --> 00:45:33,209
I don't think that
there is that assumption.

791
00:45:33,210 --> 00:45:36,650
Do you know what I said to Crowe here
when I read this thing two hours ago?

792
00:45:38,800 --> 00:45:42,549
You said it was the most
formidable document

793
00:45:42,550 --> 00:45:45,679
ever addressed by
one state to another.

794
00:45:45,680 --> 00:45:48,290
Was that before or after
I fell off my chair?

795
00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:52,169
It's designed to
be rejected, isn't it?

796
00:45:52,170 --> 00:45:56,219
No, it is.
Let's not act like children today.

797
00:45:56,220 --> 00:45:59,239
No government wishing
to maintain its sovereignty

798
00:45:59,240 --> 00:46:01,049
could agree to these terms.

799
00:46:01,050 --> 00:46:02,719
There would be a revolution.

800
00:46:02,720 --> 00:46:05,529
They'd be overthrown by their own
people. Is that what you want?

801
00:46:05,530 --> 00:46:08,999
-We have no opinion on these...
-Because if it is,

802
00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:13,129
you'll be dealing
with someone far worse in Belgrade.

803
00:46:13,130 --> 00:46:16,610
You'll get someone in charge
who actually does hate you.

804
00:46:19,680 --> 00:46:21,119
Point five.

805
00:46:21,120 --> 00:46:24,180
Yes.
Point five.

806
00:46:26,480 --> 00:46:28,450
How will that be achieved?

807
00:46:28,920 --> 00:46:31,379
You demand the right for...

808
00:46:31,380 --> 00:46:34,519
your own state officials
to take an active role

809
00:46:34,520 --> 00:46:38,089
in policing anti-Austrian
feeling in Serbia.

810
00:46:38,090 --> 00:46:39,879
There are many police
forces co-operating

811
00:46:39,880 --> 00:46:41,740
over national
boundaries these days.

812
00:46:42,050 --> 00:46:43,850
Give me strength.

813
00:46:44,980 --> 00:46:47,670
You've also given us 48 hours -

814
00:46:48,680 --> 00:46:52,150
well, that's 18 hours now -
to use our influence

815
00:46:52,720 --> 00:46:55,209
and help Serbia move towards

816
00:46:55,210 --> 00:46:57,010
some of these demands.

817
00:47:00,360 --> 00:47:03,170
I have been instructed to ask you

818
00:47:03,680 --> 00:47:05,470
what position Britain would take

819
00:47:06,010 --> 00:47:09,429
if a conflict would break
out between Austria and Serbia.

820
00:47:09,430 --> 00:47:11,949
There is a strong feeling
in this country

821
00:47:11,950 --> 00:47:14,720
that Serbia shouldn't
be humiliated.

822
00:47:15,240 --> 00:47:17,399
There's considerable
admiration for her.

823
00:47:17,400 --> 00:47:19,719
-There is.
-Is there?

824
00:47:19,720 --> 00:47:22,999
But, you know,
I would very happily let

825
00:47:23,000 --> 00:47:26,179
you and the Serbs sort this mess
out between the two of you.

826
00:47:26,180 --> 00:47:28,309
But I can't do that

827
00:47:28,310 --> 00:47:33,079
because we both know there is a danger
that Russia will be drawn in

828
00:47:33,080 --> 00:47:38,200
and the British interest
would become involved.

829
00:47:39,160 --> 00:47:41,129
To join forces with Russia?

830
00:47:41,130 --> 00:47:43,220
To mediate, you fool!

831
00:47:50,040 --> 00:47:52,269
Diplomacy is a branch of manners.

832
00:47:52,270 --> 00:47:54,430
That man has none.

833
00:47:56,120 --> 00:47:59,569
Russia is
outraged by this, Sir Edward.

834
00:47:59,570 --> 00:48:02,219
We have our dignity too.

835
00:48:02,220 --> 00:48:06,080
And Serbia is a friend of ours.

836
00:48:06,460 --> 00:48:11,239
We can't let her be put on
the end of an Austrian chain.

837
00:48:11,240 --> 00:48:14,499
I think that's a slightly fanciful
image, Count Benckendorff.

838
00:48:14,500 --> 00:48:18,090
My government hopes you will
support us

839
00:48:18,400 --> 00:48:22,199
-as our trusted ally.
-It's quite true.

840
00:48:22,200 --> 00:48:26,709
We have co-operated well in
recent years, especially in Asia,

841
00:48:26,710 --> 00:48:28,439
and that has been gratifying.

842
00:48:28,440 --> 00:48:31,029
But Afghanistan is not the Balkans.

843
00:48:31,030 --> 00:48:32,339
What are you saying?

844
00:48:32,340 --> 00:48:34,679
I'm saying I'm just warning you

845
00:48:34,680 --> 00:48:38,490
that nobody in England
much cares about Serbia.

846
00:48:39,160 --> 00:48:43,999
It would infuriate the British people
to know that even a single mule of ours

847
00:48:44,000 --> 00:48:45,930
had been sacrificed for a country

848
00:48:45,940 --> 00:48:48,269
most of them cannot place on a map.

849
00:48:48,270 --> 00:48:49,599
That is outrageous.

850
00:48:49,600 --> 00:48:53,529
I'm not saying it's commendable,
I'm just outlining our difficulty.

851
00:48:53,530 --> 00:48:56,049
-Do you think this?
-He agrees with me.

852
00:48:56,050 --> 00:48:58,099
The other thing, my dear Count.

853
00:48:58,100 --> 00:48:59,400
Please.

854
00:48:59,960 --> 00:49:04,879
I would urge Russia
to steady its own horses.

855
00:49:04,880 --> 00:49:07,839
I mean, Austria has put
Serbia in an impossible position,

856
00:49:07,840 --> 00:49:09,319
I appreciate that.

857
00:49:09,320 --> 00:49:12,809
But it will be easier for me
to play the mediator

858
00:49:12,810 --> 00:49:17,510
if you are not already
locked into their quarrel.

859
00:49:22,560 --> 00:49:24,360
You do understand that?

860
00:49:29,970 --> 00:49:31,629
I'll get Prince Lichnowsky.

861
00:49:31,630 --> 00:49:34,269
I can't stay in here
any longer. I need air.

862
00:49:34,270 --> 00:49:36,079
Good idea. We can use the garden.

863
00:49:36,080 --> 00:49:38,690
Actually, I'd like
to see the prince alone.

864
00:49:48,120 --> 00:49:49,679
You really didn't know?

865
00:49:49,680 --> 00:49:53,709
I discovered its contents at
exactly the same time as you did.

866
00:49:53,710 --> 00:49:56,689
Because I thought you were
testing me at the cricket.

867
00:49:56,690 --> 00:49:59,509
No-one in Germany knew what
was in the ultimatum,

868
00:49:59,510 --> 00:50:02,859
but a few people did know
there'd be one.

869
00:50:02,860 --> 00:50:04,169
I see.

870
00:50:04,170 --> 00:50:07,829
And did Germany encourage Austria

871
00:50:07,830 --> 00:50:11,409
to be militant in drawing
up that ultimatum?

872
00:50:11,410 --> 00:50:14,309
I can't answer that,
Edward.

873
00:50:14,310 --> 00:50:15,659
Because you don't know?

874
00:50:15,660 --> 00:50:17,940
I can't answer that either.

875
00:50:20,440 --> 00:50:23,529
Ah, what do you think the Kaiser
will think when he reads it?

876
00:50:23,530 --> 00:50:25,699
He's currently on holiday,
isn't he?

877
00:50:25,700 --> 00:50:27,539
Yes, he is.

878
00:50:27,540 --> 00:50:29,749
He's definitely on holiday.

879
00:50:29,750 --> 00:50:32,300
-I believe he gets back...
-Yeah, no matter.

880
00:50:32,640 --> 00:50:38,599
But you say you were as ignorant of the
actual contents of the ultimatum as we were?

881
00:50:38,600 --> 00:50:40,349
So, tell me,

882
00:50:40,350 --> 00:50:41,939
man to man,

883
00:50:41,940 --> 00:50:45,490
now you've seen it,
what do you think?

884
00:50:47,620 --> 00:50:52,850
What I think of it is
probably what you think of it.

885
00:51:01,920 --> 00:51:04,129
I think the Germans
are playing with us.

886
00:51:04,130 --> 00:51:05,439
I realise that.

887
00:51:05,440 --> 00:51:08,649
So why don't we send out a signal
that we are not to be played with?

888
00:51:08,650 --> 00:51:11,349
I meant I realise
that's what you think.

889
00:51:11,350 --> 00:51:13,979
What, I'm wrong?

890
00:51:13,980 --> 00:51:19,350
There's this curious
defect somewhere, Crowe.

891
00:51:20,600 --> 00:51:23,239
-In me?
-In the way you operate.

892
00:51:23,240 --> 00:51:25,899
You're always so eager
to hold Germany

893
00:51:25,900 --> 00:51:28,159
to an inappropriate
moral standard.

894
00:51:28,160 --> 00:51:30,259
Perhaps it comes from
being an intellectual.

895
00:51:30,260 --> 00:51:32,519
-Or perhaps because I was born in Germany?
-I didn't say that.

896
00:51:32,520 --> 00:51:34,370
-You're thinking it.
-No, I'm not.

897
00:51:35,760 --> 00:51:38,699
But like all abstract thinkers,

898
00:51:38,700 --> 00:51:41,899
you have your <i>idée fixe</i>,
your obsession.

899
00:51:41,900 --> 00:51:43,890
We can't afford obsessions.

900
00:51:44,360 --> 00:51:49,300
We've developed a sophisticated
diplomatic machine over the years.

901
00:51:49,670 --> 00:51:52,019
It's not perfect
but it keeps the peace.

902
00:51:52,020 --> 00:51:54,559
Villains get caught
in its moving parts,

903
00:51:54,560 --> 00:51:57,739
those who don't abide
by the rules get spat out.

904
00:51:57,740 --> 00:51:59,380
Well, you know this.

905
00:51:59,870 --> 00:52:02,120
At least you used to.

906
00:52:03,000 --> 00:52:05,849
Since this morning,

907
00:52:05,850 --> 00:52:09,039
we have but one task -

908
00:52:09,040 --> 00:52:12,289
to get the interested nations

909
00:52:12,290 --> 00:52:14,419
talking to each other.

910
00:52:14,420 --> 00:52:17,400
Those with poisonous motives
will be exposed,

911
00:52:18,050 --> 00:52:21,420
the machine will be greased
- by me, by others -

912
00:52:22,430 --> 00:52:26,350
and it will operate
as it did before.

913
00:52:49,440 --> 00:52:51,279
-You look well, Moltke.
-Â£20.

914
00:52:51,280 --> 00:52:53,130
Carlsbad has worked its magic.

915
00:52:55,140 --> 00:52:59,339
The Kaiser will be excited
about the Austrian ultimatum.

916
00:52:59,340 --> 00:53:00,959
Yes, I think he will be.

917
00:53:00,960 --> 00:53:03,210
Because he won't know what it means.

918
00:53:03,550 --> 00:53:06,559
Well, he's finally getting
his little Balkan war.

919
00:53:06,560 --> 00:53:07,969
Yes, he'll get that.

920
00:53:07,970 --> 00:53:12,259
He'll sit there contemplating
that harmless little acorn of his,

921
00:53:12,260 --> 00:53:14,420
but acorns have a habit of growing.

922
00:53:15,940 --> 00:53:18,009
The little Balkan
war will not remain

923
00:53:18,010 --> 00:53:19,720
a little Balkan war forever.

924
00:53:21,120 --> 00:53:23,100
The problem with our Kaiser is

925
00:53:24,160 --> 00:53:27,039
that he only ever
plans one move ahead.

926
00:53:27,040 --> 00:53:31,999
Well, he's absolutely certain that the
Russians will not come to the aid of Serbia.

927
00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:33,300
And he's right,

928
00:53:33,610 --> 00:53:35,830
but they will mobilise their army

929
00:53:36,450 --> 00:53:38,079
and that will be enough.

930
00:53:38,080 --> 00:53:40,499
But why on earth would they do that?

931
00:53:40,500 --> 00:53:43,060
I will leave them
with no other choice.

932
00:53:59,010 --> 00:54:00,969
It's not like you to sulk,
Crowe.

933
00:54:00,970 --> 00:54:03,239
I am not sulking.

934
00:54:03,240 --> 00:54:04,590
And now you're offended.

935
00:54:05,090 --> 00:54:06,550
No, I'm not.

936
00:54:06,910 --> 00:54:08,369
You'll feel better tomorrow

937
00:54:08,370 --> 00:54:10,269
when the hysteria subsides

938
00:54:10,270 --> 00:54:12,420
and the Balkans
becomes boring again.

939
00:54:12,770 --> 00:54:16,200
For that matter, oh, so will I.

940
00:54:17,280 --> 00:54:19,079
And Germany?

941
00:54:19,080 --> 00:54:23,920
Look, 20 minutes of sunshine left.

942
00:54:25,200 --> 00:54:27,250
My favourite part of the day.

943
00:54:29,400 --> 00:54:32,620
-Good night.
-Good night, Foreign Secretary.

944
00:54:41,240 --> 00:54:43,959
Early night for once,
unlike you, I'm afraid.

945
00:54:43,960 --> 00:54:45,720
Nice to see you're fitting in.

946
00:56:15,200 --> 00:56:16,710
-Lovely evening.
-Sir.

947
00:56:23,820 --> 00:56:26,720
22nd JULY

948
00:56:29,030 --> 00:56:32,630
13 DAYS TO WAR

949
00:56:32,800 --> 00:56:36,620
"One Week in July"

950
00:56:55,380 --> 00:56:57,189
Is this it?
This is it, Foreign Secretary.

951
00:56:57,190 --> 00:56:59,890
-Crowe's already here?
-He arrived 20 minutes ago, sir.

952
00:57:02,120 --> 00:57:04,090
For God's sake.

953
00:57:04,880 --> 00:57:07,039
Sorry your weekend
has been ruined, sir.

954
00:57:07,040 --> 00:57:08,740
Well, yours too, Alec.

955
00:57:09,980 --> 00:57:11,620
Austria's mad.

956
00:57:12,090 --> 00:57:14,489
I should issue a communique
saying just that.

957
00:57:14,490 --> 00:57:16,199
Good afternoon, Foreign Secretary.

958
00:57:16,200 --> 00:57:18,649
"Britain says Austria mad."

959
00:57:18,650 --> 00:57:19,950
"Official!"

960
00:57:21,900 --> 00:57:24,289
I was embarrassed to read
the Serb note.

961
00:57:24,290 --> 00:57:26,499
It was like seeing
a servant cringe.

962
00:57:26,500 --> 00:57:27,909
It was submissive.

963
00:57:27,910 --> 00:57:31,529
Serbia has agreed to practically
every demand Austria makes of her.

964
00:57:31,530 --> 00:57:33,239
And gets this in return!

965
00:57:33,240 --> 00:57:35,809
It's a grotesque diplomatic exchange,
Foreign Secretary.

966
00:57:35,810 --> 00:57:38,409
What does Austria want?
I mean, what does she want?

967
00:57:38,410 --> 00:57:41,279
It is sometimes better to forget
everything we think we know

968
00:57:41,280 --> 00:57:44,859
and look instead at what is
staring us in the face.

969
00:57:44,860 --> 00:57:48,300
Austria doesn't want to talk.
She wants a war in the Balkans.

970
00:57:48,750 --> 00:57:51,200
I want to speak to that idiot
Mensdorff.

971
00:57:54,500 --> 00:57:56,309
Get the Austrian Ambassador.

972
00:57:56,310 --> 00:57:57,619
Yes, sir.

973
00:57:57,620 --> 00:58:00,749
<i>I tell you, it's not often you see
the Foreign Office in disarray</i>

974
00:58:00,750 --> 00:58:02,160
<i>but it was this day.</i>

975
00:58:03,260 --> 00:58:06,469
<i>Four weeks ago, we discovered
that the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,</i>

976
00:58:06,470 --> 00:58:08,200
<i>heir to the Austrian throne,</i>

977
00:58:08,850 --> 00:58:12,540
had been assassinated while on
a visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia.

978
00:58:14,220 --> 00:58:17,999
<i>The assassin, Gavrilo Princip,
was a Serb nationalist</i>

979
00:58:18,000 --> 00:58:19,659
<i>who believed that acts of terror</i>

980
00:58:19,660 --> 00:58:22,170
<i>would drive the Austrians
out of the Balkans.</i>

981
00:58:22,670 --> 00:58:25,229
<i>But...
student fanatic?</i>

982
00:58:25,230 --> 00:58:26,539
<i>A nonentity?</i>

983
00:58:26,540 --> 00:58:28,259
Is this important enough
to disturb

984
00:58:28,260 --> 00:58:30,109
-the Foreign Secretary?
-No.

985
00:58:30,110 --> 00:58:31,879
What position would Britain
take

986
00:58:31,880 --> 00:58:34,960
if a conflict would break
out between Austria and Serbia?

987
00:58:36,020 --> 00:58:39,140
<i>Well, I suppose it doesn't take
much to set the Balkans on fire.</i>

988
00:58:39,950 --> 00:58:42,460
<i>In Berlin, it was frantic too.</i>

989
00:58:43,070 --> 00:58:44,749
<i>Austria was our ally</i>

990
00:58:44,750 --> 00:58:47,909
<i>and Franz Ferdinand was a personal
friend of our Kaiser.</i>

991
00:58:47,910 --> 00:58:51,339
There's no crime greater.

992
00:58:51,340 --> 00:58:54,379
<i>The Habsburg Empire had been
crumbling for years</i>

993
00:58:54,380 --> 00:58:57,849
<i>and now the Kaiser said
that had to stop.</i>

994
00:58:57,850 --> 00:59:01,219
Serbia must learn to fear
the Habsburgs again.

995
00:59:01,220 --> 00:59:03,509
<i>The Kaiser told
our Austrian friends</i>

996
00:59:03,510 --> 00:59:05,050
<i>to punish the Serbs.</i>

997
00:59:05,910 --> 00:59:09,180
<i>They sent a long
list of demands instead.</i>

998
00:59:10,180 --> 00:59:13,769
<i>We got them in London.
What extreme demands they were.</i>

999
00:59:13,770 --> 00:59:17,419
This is an astonishing ultimatum.

1000
00:59:17,420 --> 00:59:19,219
<i>It was obvious to everybody</i>

1001
00:59:19,220 --> 00:59:21,599
<i>that Serbia could not
meet those demands.</i>

1002
00:59:21,600 --> 00:59:25,280
<i>That in fact,
they were designed to be rejected.</i>

1003
00:59:27,500 --> 00:59:29,939
<i>But then, Serbia did meet them,</i>

1004
00:59:29,940 --> 00:59:33,560
<i>only to find that the Austrians
were still not satisfied.</i>

1005
00:59:34,470 --> 00:59:37,849
And that's why the Austrian
ambassador had been <i>summoned</i>

1006
00:59:37,850 --> 00:59:39,789
<i>summoned to the Foreign Office
this morning.</i>

1007
00:59:39,790 --> 00:59:41,760
You ought to be wearing body armour.

1008
00:59:42,430 --> 00:59:44,220
<i>I want an explanation.</i>

1009
00:59:44,580 --> 00:59:46,989
Austria is unhappy with
the Serbian response

1010
00:59:46,990 --> 00:59:50,009
to our list of demands
and therefore has issued an ultimatum.

1011
00:59:50,010 --> 00:59:53,799
I said I want an explanation,
not a reiteration of the absurd

1012
00:59:53,800 --> 00:59:56,510
sequence of events
of the last 12 hours.

1013
00:59:57,500 --> 01:00:01,499
Austria is unhappy.
That is the explanation.

1014
01:00:01,500 --> 01:00:04,529
Were you surprised by the compliance
of the Serbian government?

1015
01:00:04,530 --> 01:00:06,730
But we don't see it as a compliance.

1016
01:00:07,460 --> 01:00:10,969
They will extradite
any government official

1017
01:00:10,970 --> 01:00:13,959
you wish to charge in connection
with the assassination.

1018
01:00:13,960 --> 01:00:17,609
Censor their newspapers,
overhaul their school curriculum,

1019
01:00:17,610 --> 01:00:20,699
punish anyone
who denigrates your royal family.

1020
01:00:20,700 --> 01:00:22,009
Do you want me to go on?

1021
01:00:22,010 --> 01:00:23,950
We see these things more like...

1022
01:00:24,950 --> 01:00:27,270
-cosmetic.
-But you asked for them!

1023
01:00:27,820 --> 01:00:32,150
And you didn't expect them
to comply, did you?

1024
01:00:33,270 --> 01:00:34,579
Let me remind you

1025
01:00:34,580 --> 01:00:37,050
of how post-Napoleonic
diplomacy works.

1026
01:00:37,430 --> 01:00:39,009
Are you listening?

1027
01:00:39,010 --> 01:00:40,839
I am all ears.

1028
01:00:40,840 --> 01:00:42,249
We statesmen,

1029
01:00:42,250 --> 01:00:45,169
we occasionally conceal things
from each other,

1030
01:00:45,170 --> 01:00:48,059
we dissemble,
we act hypocritically

1031
01:00:48,060 --> 01:00:51,369
when consistency or sincerity

1032
01:00:51,370 --> 01:00:54,399
would
be either dangerous or hurtful.

1033
01:00:54,400 --> 01:00:58,620
We don't always tell the whole truth,
but we don't exactly lie.

1034
01:00:59,200 --> 01:01:01,189
But what we've never done

1035
01:01:01,190 --> 01:01:04,349
is pretend the other fellow
is a fool.

1036
01:01:04,350 --> 01:01:07,469
Or that black is white
when everyone can see that it isn't.

1037
01:01:07,470 --> 01:01:10,779
Because if we did that,
the whole system,

1038
01:01:10,780 --> 01:01:13,989
the concert that has kept
the peace in Europe,

1039
01:01:13,990 --> 01:01:17,970
kept even the superannuated
Austrian Empire afloat...

1040
01:01:18,510 --> 01:01:21,350
would begin to break down.

1041
01:01:23,220 --> 01:01:26,200
We don't regard it as compliance.

1042
01:01:30,260 --> 01:01:33,010
You must have loved
the Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

1043
01:01:33,850 --> 01:01:37,350
-We did.
-I mean, really loved him.

1044
01:01:38,260 --> 01:01:40,459
He was the heir to our throne.

1045
01:01:40,460 --> 01:01:43,869
Heir to the throne!
He was despised in Vienna.

1046
01:01:43,870 --> 01:01:46,709
His poor Czech wife
even more so.

1047
01:01:46,710 --> 01:01:48,749
They treated her like a waitress.

1048
01:01:48,750 --> 01:01:50,850
Look, I'm serious.
They did.

1049
01:01:56,460 --> 01:01:59,529
I thought you said the Serbs
had bent over backwards.

1050
01:01:59,530 --> 01:02:01,219
Vienna wants humiliation.

1051
01:02:01,220 --> 01:02:03,609
And bending over backwards
isn't humiliating?

1052
01:02:03,610 --> 01:02:05,219
You should try it one day, Winston.

1053
01:02:05,220 --> 01:02:09,069
And if I were you,
I'd start watching Russia now.

1054
01:02:09,070 --> 01:02:11,249
Humiliating little Serbia
is one thing.

1055
01:02:11,250 --> 01:02:14,050
Humiliating her protector
is quite another.

1056
01:02:17,620 --> 01:02:19,340
She's right about that.

1057
01:02:19,780 --> 01:02:22,400
Be careful of Winston.
He's smelling blood.

1058
01:02:23,190 --> 01:02:25,599
Why is Vienna suddenly
unafraid of Russia?

1059
01:02:25,600 --> 01:02:27,989
-That is the question.
-I disagree.

1060
01:02:27,990 --> 01:02:29,339
With what?

1061
01:02:29,340 --> 01:02:31,009
I think it's the wrong question.

1062
01:02:31,010 --> 01:02:33,289
-You don't want to hear my answer.
-Yes.

1063
01:02:33,290 --> 01:02:34,819
I know your answer.

1064
01:02:34,820 --> 01:02:37,629
Which is that Austria is acting as
if Russia doesn't exist,

1065
01:02:37,630 --> 01:02:40,829
because she's already taken out
an insurance policy in Berlin.

1066
01:02:40,830 --> 01:02:42,950
An insurance policy?

1067
01:02:43,460 --> 01:02:46,320
You think Austria and Germany
are in cahoots over this?

1068
01:02:47,830 --> 01:02:49,130
Your evidence?

1069
01:02:50,220 --> 01:02:52,999
Winston, I can see what
Edward's getting at.

1070
01:02:53,000 --> 01:02:55,939
We don't yet know what the Germans
think of this latest development

1071
01:02:55,940 --> 01:02:57,969
and it's always been a
point of principle in this country

1072
01:02:57,970 --> 01:03:01,109
not to reduce everything to the
workings of the alliances.

1073
01:03:01,110 --> 01:03:04,459
That way the logic of war always
gets the upper hand.

1074
01:03:04,460 --> 01:03:06,169
It's my sense that Austria

1075
01:03:06,170 --> 01:03:08,900
cannot see beyond her
quarrel with Serbia.

1076
01:03:09,310 --> 01:03:12,389
It's what happens to great powers
when they shrink.

1077
01:03:12,390 --> 01:03:14,109
The world shrinks with them

1078
01:03:14,110 --> 01:03:17,339
and then they cease to
think about consequences.

1079
01:03:17,340 --> 01:03:19,299
You don't believe that
Austria's alliance

1080
01:03:19,300 --> 01:03:21,339
with Germany means anything?

1081
01:03:21,340 --> 01:03:24,029
Don't be obtuse, Winston.
No-one has said that.

1082
01:03:24,030 --> 01:03:26,909
I would like to propose
a round-table conference

1083
01:03:26,910 --> 01:03:28,219
here in London,

1084
01:03:28,220 --> 01:03:33,050
to be attended by the ambassadors
of the disinterested parties.

1085
01:03:33,540 --> 01:03:35,199
If we start talking,

1086
01:03:35,200 --> 01:03:38,140
Austria will be forced
to join the conversation.

1087
01:03:38,550 --> 01:03:41,849
How many days do we
have before Austria

1088
01:03:41,850 --> 01:03:43,389
actually declares war?

1089
01:03:43,390 --> 01:03:45,459
Well, that depends
on the state of their army

1090
01:03:45,460 --> 01:03:48,669
and how well they've digested
this year's conscripts.

1091
01:03:48,670 --> 01:03:52,120
Perhaps, well, four days,
maybe a week.

1092
01:03:53,820 --> 01:03:56,829
It's crucial for Germany
to be involved in any conference.

1093
01:03:56,830 --> 01:03:58,429
Unthinkable without her.

1094
01:03:58,430 --> 01:04:00,089
You can manage that?

1095
01:04:00,090 --> 01:04:04,059
I believe so. We have more than
a few carrots to offer.

1096
01:04:04,060 --> 01:04:06,100
There should be a stick too.

1097
01:04:08,900 --> 01:04:12,189
<i>You will discover tomorrow morning
that Winston Churchill</i>

1098
01:04:12,190 --> 01:04:17,009
<i>has ordered the entire fleet</i>
to remain at Spithead.

1099
01:04:17,010 --> 01:04:19,459
-I see.
-It's a precautionary thing.

1100
01:04:19,460 --> 01:04:22,699
I mean, the ships are there
already for the Grand Naval Review,

1101
01:04:22,700 --> 01:04:24,150
as you know.

1102
01:04:24,540 --> 01:04:26,179
They just haven't gone home.

1103
01:04:26,180 --> 01:04:29,009
You don't have to threaten us
into a conference, Edward.

1104
01:04:29,010 --> 01:04:30,339
I know that.

1105
01:04:30,340 --> 01:04:32,089
Germany is open to the idea

1106
01:04:32,090 --> 01:04:34,669
of a collective solution
to the Balkan problem.

1107
01:04:34,670 --> 01:04:36,409
It is an opportunity,
I think,

1108
01:04:36,410 --> 01:04:39,609
for Britain and Germany
to cooperate at last.

1109
01:04:39,610 --> 01:04:43,969
Austria will have to suspend
its military operations first.

1110
01:04:43,970 --> 01:04:48,679
-Naturally.
-But if... when that happens,

1111
01:04:48,680 --> 01:04:50,819
I will be prepared to host

1112
01:04:50,820 --> 01:04:53,329
a peace conference
straightaway.

1113
01:04:53,330 --> 01:04:56,749
And I will inform my government
straightaway.

1114
01:04:56,750 --> 01:05:00,289
-Thank you.
-I ought to say, Max,

1115
01:05:00,290 --> 01:05:05,069
there is an opinion amongst us
that a possible reason

1116
01:05:05,070 --> 01:05:07,690
for Austria's
reckless behaviour

1117
01:05:08,150 --> 01:05:12,050
is the tacit support
she enjoys from Germany.

1118
01:05:12,810 --> 01:05:15,439
I can see
how the impression

1119
01:05:15,440 --> 01:05:19,150
might have arisen
amongst some of you.

1120
01:05:20,380 --> 01:05:23,289
Vienna may have got used to us
backing them

1121
01:05:23,290 --> 01:05:26,740
and perhaps that has made them

1122
01:05:27,750 --> 01:05:29,709
-as they are.
Reckless.

1123
01:05:29,710 --> 01:05:31,400
Your superior said so.

1124
01:05:32,540 --> 01:05:36,919
And I will admit that possibility,
but of course,

1125
01:05:36,920 --> 01:05:41,370
that is quite a different thing from saying
she receives our encouragement.

1126
01:05:48,820 --> 01:05:50,120
What is it?

1127
01:05:50,500 --> 01:05:55,219
I admire Prince Lichnowsky
and I think he's sincere.

1128
01:05:55,220 --> 01:05:58,420
I know that sentence. It's always
followed by its opposite.

1129
01:05:59,470 --> 01:06:01,379
Come on, Crowe.

1130
01:06:01,380 --> 01:06:04,789
Tell me why I shouldn't
place my faith in Lichnowsky.

1131
01:06:04,790 --> 01:06:07,510
I'm not sure Berlin
listens to him.

1132
01:06:10,220 --> 01:06:12,340
<i>He was listened to.</i>

1133
01:06:13,180 --> 01:06:16,960
<i>Lichnowsky had Edward Grey's
confidence, after all.</i>

1134
01:06:20,460 --> 01:06:22,700
<i>But was he respected?</i>

1135
01:06:24,700 --> 01:06:27,139
<i>-Yes, please?</i>
-Excuse me, sir...

1136
01:06:27,140 --> 01:06:30,279
<i>Not by our Chancellor,
Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg.</i>

1137
01:06:30,280 --> 01:06:32,920
From our ambassador in London, sir.

1138
01:06:34,300 --> 01:06:35,860
This has just arrived?

1139
01:06:36,620 --> 01:06:39,199
Yes, sir,
seven minutes ago.

1140
01:06:39,200 --> 01:06:41,779
<i>They agreed on so little.</i>

1141
01:06:41,780 --> 01:06:44,160
-Get me the Foreign Minister.
-Yes, sir.

1142
01:06:47,180 --> 01:06:50,609
Of course, it's a perfectly
reasonable proposal.

1143
01:06:50,610 --> 01:06:54,459
Grey is a reasonable man.
If I were in his position,

1144
01:06:54,460 --> 01:06:58,250
I would propose an international
tribunal, too.

1145
01:07:00,780 --> 01:07:02,519
Perhaps we should accept.

1146
01:07:02,520 --> 01:07:03,950
Say that again?

1147
01:07:04,740 --> 01:07:06,179
We should accept.

1148
01:07:06,180 --> 01:07:10,159
Would you like to explain to the Kaiser
when he gets back from his holiday tomorrow,

1149
01:07:10,160 --> 01:07:11,780
what has happened to his plan?

1150
01:07:12,660 --> 01:07:14,959
"Not a crashing military victory

1151
01:07:14,960 --> 01:07:16,949
"for our Austrian ally,
Your Majesty,

1152
01:07:16,950 --> 01:07:18,959
"but a diplomatic triumph

1153
01:07:18,960 --> 01:07:22,029
"for Sir Edward Grey
and the British."

1154
01:07:22,030 --> 01:07:23,989
No, I would not want to be
the one to say that.

1155
01:07:23,990 --> 01:07:26,400
And that's why it will not be said.

1156
01:07:28,500 --> 01:07:34,059
We must therefore reject
Edward Grey's offer.

1157
01:07:34,060 --> 01:07:38,029
Something to the effect that
Austria would find it...

1158
01:07:38,030 --> 01:07:39,330
Insupportable?

1159
01:07:41,780 --> 01:07:43,700
"Humiliating".

1160
01:07:44,500 --> 01:07:48,279
It would be humiliating for
a great power like Austria

1161
01:07:48,280 --> 01:07:52,060
to be subjected to the decisions
of an international tribunal.

1162
01:07:53,220 --> 01:07:57,189
But what if the Austrians agree
to Grey's proposal?

1163
01:07:57,190 --> 01:07:58,659
They won't.

1164
01:07:58,660 --> 01:07:59,999
You seem very sure.

1165
01:08:00,000 --> 01:08:01,659
We won't let them.

1166
01:08:01,660 --> 01:08:05,229
But tell Lichnowsky we are
sympathetic to the idea.

1167
01:08:05,230 --> 01:08:07,550
He'll want to cultivate it anyway.

1168
01:08:07,900 --> 01:08:10,459
We can use him to get
the English off our backs

1169
01:08:10,460 --> 01:08:12,200
for 48 hours or so.

1170
01:08:18,780 --> 01:08:20,160
And the Kaiser?

1171
01:08:22,180 --> 01:08:25,160
There is no proposal from Britain.

1172
01:08:26,220 --> 01:08:27,900
There never has been.

1173
01:08:30,410 --> 01:08:32,150
28 th JULY

1174
01:08:33,560 --> 01:08:36,760
8 DAYS TO WAR

1175
01:08:41,660 --> 01:08:44,799
<i>Kaiser Wilhelm knew nothing
of the diplomatic events</i>

1176
01:08:44,800 --> 01:08:46,360
<i>of the past two weeks.</i>

1177
01:08:48,720 --> 01:08:51,160
<i>He'd been on his vacation...</i>

1178
01:08:52,830 --> 01:08:55,500
<i>..looking at the Norwegian fjords.</i>

1179
01:08:57,860 --> 01:09:00,579
<i>The world he expected to return to</i>

1180
01:09:00,580 --> 01:09:02,529
<i>was one in which Serbia</i>

1181
01:09:02,530 --> 01:09:05,369
<i>had been handsomely
crushed by Austria</i>

1182
01:09:05,370 --> 01:09:08,269
<i>while our most feared enemy,
Russia,</i>

1183
01:09:08,270 --> 01:09:11,200
<i>stood staring at a brilliant
fait accompli.</i>

1184
01:09:12,060 --> 01:09:15,149
<i>Of course, none of that
had happened.</i>

1185
01:09:15,150 --> 01:09:17,699
Did you know that Norwegians

1186
01:09:17,700 --> 01:09:20,239
read more than any other
people in the world?

1187
01:09:20,240 --> 01:09:22,789
I have heard something
of the sort, Your Majesty.

1188
01:09:22,790 --> 01:09:24,590
Of course you have.
You know everything.

1189
01:09:25,650 --> 01:09:27,270
I didn't know it, though.

1190
01:09:31,140 --> 01:09:33,450
It was very disappointing.

1191
01:09:34,820 --> 01:09:37,429
-Norway, Your Majesty?
-Norway?

1192
01:09:37,430 --> 01:09:39,380
Why do you want to
talk about Norway?

1193
01:09:40,100 --> 01:09:42,239
Austria!
That's disappointing.

1194
01:09:42,240 --> 01:09:44,599
The Austrian army is still not
in Belgrade.

1195
01:09:44,600 --> 01:09:47,799
-Completely disappointing!
-Not yet, Your Majesty.

1196
01:09:47,800 --> 01:09:49,279
"Not yet".

1197
01:09:49,280 --> 01:09:51,149
I am assured by
the Austrian Ambassador...

1198
01:09:51,150 --> 01:09:54,109
In fact, they decided to
mobilise their army yesterday

1199
01:09:54,110 --> 01:09:56,539
so it's little wonder
they're "not yet" in Belgrade.

1200
01:09:56,540 --> 01:09:59,719
The day before yesterday, Your Majesty,
but very late indeed, sir.

1201
01:09:59,720 --> 01:10:02,570
-Later than we expected.
-Later than I wanted!

1202
01:10:04,430 --> 01:10:07,189
What did I tell him, Jagow,
before I took my vacation?

1203
01:10:07,190 --> 01:10:08,549
You were there.

1204
01:10:08,550 --> 01:10:11,309
You said you wanted things
to happen quickly.

1205
01:10:11,310 --> 01:10:12,970
A quick, clean war.

1206
01:10:13,750 --> 01:10:16,059
Over before the Russians
know it's even begun.

1207
01:10:16,060 --> 01:10:18,819
-Yes?
-Yes, you did say that, Your Majesty.

1208
01:10:18,820 --> 01:10:21,209
And now the Russians
will get all agitated,

1209
01:10:21,210 --> 01:10:24,020
which I think I expressly
said I did not want.

1210
01:10:25,940 --> 01:10:27,919
And this morning I arrive
back in Berlin

1211
01:10:27,920 --> 01:10:30,860
to discover that the British
have their navy on high alert.

1212
01:10:31,470 --> 01:10:32,770
Brilliant!

1213
01:10:38,060 --> 01:10:39,990
I will resign.

1214
01:10:41,460 --> 01:10:42,950
No, you won't!

1215
01:10:43,560 --> 01:10:46,620
You've cooked this broth.
You will eat it.

1216
01:10:48,060 --> 01:10:50,009
What is especially humiliating

1217
01:10:50,010 --> 01:10:52,180
is that the Serbs are now
laughing at us.

1218
01:10:55,700 --> 01:10:57,819
You've seen their reply
to the Austrian note?

1219
01:10:57,820 --> 01:11:00,990
I'd appreciate it if you left me
to finish my breakfast.

1220
01:11:09,700 --> 01:11:12,359
<i>Now, in the days following
Austria's rejection</i>

1221
01:11:12,360 --> 01:11:13,669
<i>of the Serbian reply,</i>

1222
01:11:13,670 --> 01:11:15,289
<i>we found ourselves asking,</i>

1223
01:11:15,290 --> 01:11:17,549
<i>"What will Russia do?
What will Russia do?"</i>

1224
01:11:17,550 --> 01:11:19,200
-Foreign Secretary?
-Not now!

1225
01:11:19,870 --> 01:11:21,859
What is it?
And why have you not come to me?

1226
01:11:21,860 --> 01:11:23,160
What?

1227
01:11:27,450 --> 01:11:32,270
<i>Russia, our absolutist ally,
was a perennial mystery to us.</i>

1228
01:11:33,260 --> 01:11:36,309
<i>We'd been friends with Russia
since 1907</i>

1229
01:11:36,310 --> 01:11:38,399
<i>and that was a good thing in Asia.</i>

1230
01:11:38,400 --> 01:11:41,210
<i>It stopped us bickering
about India and Afghanistan.</i>

1231
01:11:41,680 --> 01:11:43,359
<i>-But in Europe?</i>
Ready.

1232
01:11:43,360 --> 01:11:46,019
-That's it, sir.
-What is it?

1233
01:11:46,020 --> 01:11:48,669
<i>Well, it meant we were now
underwriting the decisions</i>

1234
01:11:48,670 --> 01:11:51,119
<i>of a very erratic ally.</i>

1235
01:11:51,120 --> 01:11:52,459
It's the Russian army.

1236
01:11:52,460 --> 01:11:55,469
The Tsar appears to have ordered
a section of it to mobilise

1237
01:11:55,470 --> 01:11:59,109
in the southern districts facing
the Austrian Empire.

1238
01:11:59,110 --> 01:12:00,719
What in God's name
has he done that for?

1239
01:12:00,720 --> 01:12:02,029
I don't know.

1240
01:12:02,030 --> 01:12:04,340
It's, it's not been
confirmed yet, of course.

1241
01:12:04,750 --> 01:12:06,679
Well, I just have to hope your sources

1242
01:12:06,680 --> 01:12:08,749
are as wretched
as they usually are.

1243
01:12:08,750 --> 01:12:11,359
It's a precautionary thing,
I'm sure.

1244
01:12:11,360 --> 01:12:14,220
At any rate, it will take
four weeks to come to fruition.

1245
01:12:14,570 --> 01:12:17,179
But they've just
wrecked my peace conference.

1246
01:12:17,180 --> 01:12:18,919
Well, perhaps you won't need it.

1247
01:12:18,920 --> 01:12:21,009
Nothing will bring Austria
to her senses quicker

1248
01:12:21,010 --> 01:12:23,430
than Britain
supporting its Russian ally.

1249
01:12:25,820 --> 01:12:28,559
How much more belligerent do you
think the Tsar will become

1250
01:12:28,560 --> 01:12:30,109
if he imagines the Royal Navy

1251
01:12:30,110 --> 01:12:31,919
and a British Expeditionary Force

1252
01:12:31,920 --> 01:12:34,529
-are at his disposal?
-But, Foreign Secretary,

1253
01:12:34,530 --> 01:12:37,509
it's the effect on Germany
that's the relevant thing.

1254
01:12:37,510 --> 01:12:40,669
-Germany wants to take part in my conference.
-We don't need a conference.

1255
01:12:40,670 --> 01:12:42,959
The quickest way to influence
Austria is to frighten Germany.

1256
01:12:42,960 --> 01:12:45,859
The best way to frighten Germany
is to support Russia!

1257
01:12:45,860 --> 01:12:49,689
The key to this problem is to
cut across international rivalries,

1258
01:12:49,690 --> 01:12:50,990
not reinforce them.

1259
01:12:51,420 --> 01:12:53,770
I'm seeing the Russian
Ambassador in...

1260
01:12:54,230 --> 01:12:55,929
It's a quarter to six.

1261
01:12:55,930 --> 01:12:58,859
Right, well, now, in actual fact.

1262
01:12:58,860 --> 01:13:00,839
He's getting the deluxe treatment.

1263
01:13:00,840 --> 01:13:02,569
I'm taking him to see
the Prime Minister.

1264
01:13:02,570 --> 01:13:05,159
Good! But I think you should
know the man on the Russia desk

1265
01:13:05,160 --> 01:13:07,669
is saying that you don't take their
concerns seriously.

1266
01:13:07,670 --> 01:13:09,949
I'm not here to please
the Russian desk.

1267
01:13:09,950 --> 01:13:12,909
They're turning into bloody
Russians in there, by the way.

1268
01:13:12,910 --> 01:13:15,289
-I'm an elected politician.
-I know that.

1269
01:13:15,290 --> 01:13:16,899
And I answer to Parliament.

1270
01:13:16,900 --> 01:13:20,429
Of course. But do not alienate
Russia over this, sir.

1271
01:13:20,430 --> 01:13:22,629
If we fail to bend a little
towards her here,

1272
01:13:22,630 --> 01:13:25,220
she will make things
difficult for us in India.

1273
01:13:27,020 --> 01:13:29,939
<i>Of course, the thing about
our Russian alliance,</i>

1274
01:13:29,940 --> 01:13:31,409
<i>the awkward thing,</i>

1275
01:13:31,410 --> 01:13:35,230
<i>was that it tied us to this man -
Tsar Nicholas II.</i>

1276
01:13:36,040 --> 01:13:38,589
<i>No-one ever knew what
he was going to say next.</i>

1277
01:13:38,590 --> 01:13:40,769
<i>He was whimsical and unpredictable,</i>

1278
01:13:40,770 --> 01:13:42,879
as powerful men often are,

1279
01:13:42,880 --> 01:13:44,589
<i>answering only to God,</i>

1280
01:13:44,590 --> 01:13:47,850
<i>but capable of acting like God,
too.</i>

1281
01:13:48,340 --> 01:13:50,629
<i>Now,
the man in charge of his war machine</i>

1282
01:13:50,630 --> 01:13:52,659
<i>was General Vladimir Sukhomlinov.</i>

1283
01:13:52,660 --> 01:13:55,309
Enfilade fire from this direction!

1284
01:13:55,310 --> 01:13:59,389
<i>Here he is, re-enacting
the 1812 Battle of Borodino.</i>

1285
01:13:59,390 --> 01:14:02,859
And it was here that Kutuzov
deployed the guards.

1286
01:14:02,860 --> 01:14:06,189
<i>All part of the young prince's
tuition, you understand,</i>

1287
01:14:06,190 --> 01:14:09,839
<i>and the royal family's
general entertainment,</i>

1288
01:14:09,840 --> 01:14:13,069
<i>and this woman,
who hates the Battle of Borodino,</i>

1289
01:14:13,070 --> 01:14:15,720
is General Sukhomlinov's
young wife.

1290
01:14:16,980 --> 01:14:20,969
No, Alexei.
That's the infantry.

1291
01:14:20,970 --> 01:14:24,350
You never find horses in a trench.

1292
01:14:26,900 --> 01:14:29,739
<i>This man now had 13 army corps</i>

1293
01:14:29,740 --> 01:14:31,849
<i>moving towards the
Austrian Empire.</i>

1294
01:14:31,850 --> 01:14:34,639
<i>And this was not a pleasant
thought for us in London,</i>

1295
01:14:34,640 --> 01:14:39,949
<i>for we are talking one million,
one hundred thousand men.</i>

1296
01:14:39,950 --> 01:14:43,379
We had to show our support
for the Serbs.

1297
01:14:43,380 --> 01:14:46,869
There would be a rebellion in Russia
if we didn't.

1298
01:14:46,870 --> 01:14:50,299
Rubbish! We both know that's
not true, Count Benckendorff.

1299
01:14:50,300 --> 01:14:53,429
Are you saying that the
Russian does not care at all

1300
01:14:53,430 --> 01:14:55,299
about his Serb brother?

1301
01:14:55,300 --> 01:14:58,750
I'm saying most Russians will
have more luck

1302
01:14:59,100 --> 01:15:03,709
locating Serbia on a map,
with a blindfold and a pin.

1303
01:15:03,710 --> 01:15:06,459
Count,
let's not forget how we got here.

1304
01:15:06,460 --> 01:15:09,509
Austria's case against
your Serb friends

1305
01:15:09,510 --> 01:15:12,539
is that they provide a safe
haven for Bosnian terrorists.

1306
01:15:12,540 --> 01:15:14,300
Well, we all deplore that, I think.

1307
01:15:15,030 --> 01:15:18,099
We do have a little difficulty
understanding

1308
01:15:18,100 --> 01:15:22,299
why Russia has felt it necessary
to mobilise her army.

1309
01:15:22,300 --> 01:15:24,769
It's the same thing
as you did yesterday

1310
01:15:24,770 --> 01:15:27,229
-with the Royal Navy!
-It's not the same thing at all!

1311
01:15:27,230 --> 01:15:31,139
But it is!
This is NOT a mobilization.

1312
01:15:31,140 --> 01:15:35,259
In our administrative
departments it is called

1313
01:15:35,260 --> 01:15:38,370
"a period preparatory to war".

1314
01:15:38,980 --> 01:15:41,580
Are you impressed with those
apostrophes, Edward?

1315
01:15:42,070 --> 01:15:43,810
Edward is not impressed.

1316
01:15:44,420 --> 01:15:46,620
You see, Count,
playing with the word

1317
01:15:47,260 --> 01:15:50,450
cannot alter the fact
that, quite soon,

1318
01:15:50,820 --> 01:15:54,189
you will have over one million
men at arms

1319
01:15:54,190 --> 01:15:56,219
moving towards the Austrian
frontier.

1320
01:15:56,220 --> 01:16:02,189
You object to us "mobilising"
an army that will take ten days

1321
01:16:02,190 --> 01:16:05,080
to assume a proper war footing?

1322
01:16:07,980 --> 01:16:10,879
-Not four weeks?
-There is an old idea,

1323
01:16:10,880 --> 01:16:13,819
William Gladstone's idea.

1324
01:16:13,820 --> 01:16:19,650
It says that our two countries
sit on the edges of Europe

1325
01:16:20,070 --> 01:16:23,459
and if we should ever fall out...

1326
01:16:23,460 --> 01:16:27,029
The lands in between should fall
under the dominion of Germany.

1327
01:16:27,030 --> 01:16:32,549
You need only affirm your friendship
to Russia - tonight -

1328
01:16:32,550 --> 01:16:37,549
and you will see the Austrians
pull in their horns.

1329
01:16:37,550 --> 01:16:39,840
And the Germans, too.

1330
01:16:44,220 --> 01:16:47,579
We know also that our two empires

1331
01:16:47,580 --> 01:16:51,909
are drawing ever closer
together in Asia.

1332
01:16:51,910 --> 01:16:56,249
Soon, it is likely
that our cartographers

1333
01:16:56,250 --> 01:17:01,990
shall collide not far from the
North West Frontier of India.

1334
01:17:02,900 --> 01:17:05,559
It would be a shame,
would it not,

1335
01:17:05,560 --> 01:17:09,060
if our grenadiers collided,
too?

1336
01:17:10,820 --> 01:17:13,680
When you are so close together,

1337
01:17:14,190 --> 01:17:16,380
and you are not friends,

1338
01:17:16,940 --> 01:17:20,910
it is very
difficult to avoid friction.

1339
01:17:21,420 --> 01:17:24,179
Now that sounded
almost like a threat.

1340
01:17:24,180 --> 01:17:28,059
Those were your Foreign
Secretary's words to me,

1341
01:17:28,060 --> 01:17:29,869
not five years ago.

1342
01:17:29,870 --> 01:17:33,699
Which is why we became friends.

1343
01:17:33,700 --> 01:17:36,880
And why now,
we have to help each other!

1344
01:17:41,860 --> 01:17:43,600
Foreign Secretary.

1345
01:17:45,060 --> 01:17:46,450
Prime Minister.

1346
01:17:53,340 --> 01:17:56,440
He said, "ten days".

1347
01:17:58,940 --> 01:18:03,000
<i>We in Berlin were shocked
by the Russian mobilization, too.</i>

1348
01:18:03,430 --> 01:18:06,550
<i>That had not been
in the Kaiser's plan.</i>

1349
01:18:07,580 --> 01:18:10,550
<i>But his Chief of Staff,
General Moltke?</i>

1350
01:18:11,360 --> 01:18:13,219
<i>I don't think Moltke was shocked.</i>

1351
01:18:13,220 --> 01:18:16,389
The Tsar has mobilised
his southern army districts.

1352
01:18:16,390 --> 01:18:18,549
That's technically 1.1 million men,

1353
01:18:18,550 --> 01:18:20,869
perhaps a little less,
knowing Ivan.

1354
01:18:20,870 --> 01:18:22,669
You can always count on 10%

1355
01:18:22,670 --> 01:18:25,570
being curled up in a ditch
with the vodka bottle, huh?

1356
01:18:27,180 --> 01:18:31,360
But big numbers, nonetheless.
More than Austria can handle.

1357
01:18:31,670 --> 01:18:34,690
-So a stalemate?
-Well, that depends on what we do.

1358
01:18:35,140 --> 01:18:38,770
Think of it from my point of view.
I'm paid to be suspicious.

1359
01:18:39,440 --> 01:18:43,779
So, then, how am I meant to know that
these Russian troops

1360
01:18:43,780 --> 01:18:46,659
are destined
for the Austrian border?

1361
01:18:46,660 --> 01:18:50,139
How can I be sure that these troops
aren't being sent here,

1362
01:18:50,140 --> 01:18:52,869
or here, or here,
to our borders?

1363
01:18:52,870 --> 01:18:54,960
-Well, I suppose in this...
-I can't!

1364
01:18:56,540 --> 01:18:59,829
So are we not entitled
to mobilise an army, too?

1365
01:18:59,830 --> 01:19:01,650
For defensive purposes?

1366
01:19:03,340 --> 01:19:05,499
Well,
I would rather think the Kaiser

1367
01:19:05,500 --> 01:19:08,080
would wish to retain
that prerogative.

1368
01:19:09,740 --> 01:19:12,000
It would be an excellent thing

1369
01:19:12,740 --> 01:19:16,829
if Russia could be encouraged
to move to a general mobilization.

1370
01:19:16,830 --> 01:19:18,759
Get all her men in the field.

1371
01:19:18,760 --> 01:19:22,229
We will see it one day,
whether we like it or not.

1372
01:19:22,230 --> 01:19:25,119
Rather it happens now
than in five or ten years' time,

1373
01:19:25,120 --> 01:19:27,549
when the scales tip towards Russia.

1374
01:19:27,550 --> 01:19:29,949
Think of all this double track
railway line

1375
01:19:29,950 --> 01:19:32,700
laid through Poland,
coming our way.

1376
01:19:35,340 --> 01:19:38,859
Theirs is a partial mobilization,
Not a general one.

1377
01:19:38,860 --> 01:19:43,850
But a general one wouldn't be
difficult to provoke, would it?

1378
01:19:54,780 --> 01:19:57,359
I always expected to
lose your magic powers

1379
01:19:57,360 --> 01:19:58,869
when we deprive you of those.

1380
01:19:58,870 --> 01:20:01,960
We do!
We are at your mercy now.

1381
01:20:02,600 --> 01:20:04,419
There can't be a powerful Russia

1382
01:20:04,420 --> 01:20:07,359
and a powerful
Germany on the same continent!

1383
01:20:07,360 --> 01:20:08,850
One has to submit.

1384
01:20:10,340 --> 01:20:12,510
But let me give you a statistic.

1385
01:20:12,820 --> 01:20:17,640
Something that will reduce this
monstrous Cossack to human size.

1386
01:20:19,020 --> 01:20:23,909
At the present moment the Russian Empire
has possession of 4,000 machine guns.

1387
01:20:23,910 --> 01:20:27,179
The German Empire has 24,000.

1388
01:20:27,180 --> 01:20:30,580
We know why we have
so many precious weapons of war.

1389
01:20:31,140 --> 01:20:33,989
Because we are industrious
and we are prudent.

1390
01:20:33,990 --> 01:20:36,560
But why does Russia have so few?

1391
01:20:37,940 --> 01:20:40,279
Once you know the answer
to that question,

1392
01:20:40,280 --> 01:20:42,859
you have stopped
fearing the Cossack.

1393
01:20:42,860 --> 01:20:45,319
The reason why Russia
lacks machine guns

1394
01:20:45,320 --> 01:20:48,849
is that General Sukhomlinov's
pretty young wife

1395
01:20:48,850 --> 01:20:51,250
adores Fabergé eggs.

1396
01:20:52,370 --> 01:20:54,729
-Where is he going with this?
-I don't know.

1397
01:20:54,730 --> 01:20:56,419
So, old Sukhomlinov,

1398
01:20:56,420 --> 01:20:58,079
who is famously uxorious,

1399
01:20:58,080 --> 01:21:01,809
finds that to love his wife
is to empty his wallet.

1400
01:21:01,810 --> 01:21:03,699
And that is why the old general

1401
01:21:03,700 --> 01:21:05,939
took a back-hander from
Vickers of England,

1402
01:21:05,940 --> 01:21:08,780
to supply all of Russia's
machine guns.

1403
01:21:09,330 --> 01:21:11,299
But Vickers' machine guns
are three times

1404
01:21:11,300 --> 01:21:13,350
the price
of those produced in Moscow.

1405
01:21:13,790 --> 01:21:15,209
Here's another statistic.

1406
01:21:15,210 --> 01:21:18,499
We have 381 batteries
of heavy artillery.

1407
01:21:18,500 --> 01:21:19,859
They have 60!

1408
01:21:19,860 --> 01:21:21,299
And their forts?

1409
01:21:21,300 --> 01:21:23,279
They are not forts.
They are museums!

1410
01:21:23,280 --> 01:21:26,449
And don't tell me about the Russian
"steam roller", gentlemen.

1411
01:21:26,450 --> 01:21:28,620
It doesn't exist!
It's a fantasy.

1412
01:21:29,580 --> 01:21:30,880
But...

1413
01:21:32,940 --> 01:21:34,390
But be careful.

1414
01:21:34,900 --> 01:21:37,480
Eventually, old Suko will be
put out to grass

1415
01:21:38,220 --> 01:21:43,189
and will be replaced by a modernizer
with a modest wife.

1416
01:21:43,190 --> 01:21:44,619
If that happens tomorrow,

1417
01:21:44,620 --> 01:21:48,520
it is likely that, by 1917,
Russia will have parity with us.

1418
01:21:50,100 --> 01:21:51,540
Imagine that!

1419
01:21:52,540 --> 01:21:54,689
Imagine a Balkan crisis
where they,

1420
01:21:54,690 --> 01:21:56,220
not we, have the whip hand.

1421
01:21:57,100 --> 01:21:58,400
Gentlemen.

1422
01:21:59,300 --> 01:22:01,539
It's us or them.

1423
01:22:01,540 --> 01:22:04,850
The Teuton or the Slav.
We all know it.

1424
01:22:07,060 --> 01:22:10,879
Through no machinations of our own,
we are now being offered the chance

1425
01:22:10,880 --> 01:22:13,950
by very reasonable terms,

1426
01:22:14,360 --> 01:22:17,450
to settle that account
once and for ever.

1427
01:22:19,550 --> 01:22:22,219
On Russia, I have similar
thoughts to you.

1428
01:22:22,220 --> 01:22:24,859
I've often said
we overestimate their strength.

1429
01:22:24,860 --> 01:22:27,449
So it was like listening
to my own voice in there.

1430
01:22:27,450 --> 01:22:29,550
I make no claims to originality.

1431
01:22:29,860 --> 01:22:32,179
But you failed to mention the French.

1432
01:22:32,180 --> 01:22:35,280
The French alliance with Russia.
Isn't that the key?

1433
01:22:35,990 --> 01:22:37,939
A Russian entry into a Balkan war

1434
01:22:37,940 --> 01:22:40,309
would mean a French
entry into a Balkan war.

1435
01:22:40,310 --> 01:22:44,749
And at that point, we wouldn't be
calling it "Balkan war" any more.

1436
01:22:44,750 --> 01:22:47,339
I've just told you why
you shouldn't fear Russia.

1437
01:22:47,340 --> 01:22:49,339
I'm too in need of dinner right now

1438
01:22:49,340 --> 01:22:51,649
to tell you why you shouldn't
fear France.

1439
01:22:51,650 --> 01:22:53,539
It's not a question of fear,
of course.

1440
01:22:53,540 --> 01:22:56,459
You will manage France,
if the time comes.

1441
01:22:56,460 --> 01:22:57,760
I'm sure of that.

1442
01:22:59,180 --> 01:23:02,709
It is important we maintain
the European equipoise.

1443
01:23:02,710 --> 01:23:04,430
You do agree with that?

1444
01:23:05,100 --> 01:23:06,590
As you say.

1445
01:23:13,180 --> 01:23:15,529
<i>We have a political
system in Germany</i>

1446
01:23:15,530 --> 01:23:18,780
<i>where power is
concentrated at the top.</i>

1447
01:23:19,620 --> 01:23:22,139
<i>One of the tragedies of July 1914</i>

1448
01:23:22,140 --> 01:23:23,819
<i>was that the man at the very top</i>

1449
01:23:23,820 --> 01:23:27,180
<i>always seemed to be reacting
to yesterday's news.</i>

1450
01:23:28,820 --> 01:23:30,169
<i>While Moltke's mind</i>

1451
01:23:30,170 --> 01:23:33,219
<i>was turning towards a
general war with Russia,</i>

1452
01:23:33,220 --> 01:23:35,849
<i>the Kaiser was still trying
to control</i>

1453
01:23:35,850 --> 01:23:38,560
<i>Austria's local war with Serbia.</i>

1454
01:23:39,580 --> 01:23:42,010
Every cause for war has vanished.

1455
01:23:43,260 --> 01:23:45,210
-Your Majesty?
-Every cause.

1456
01:23:45,820 --> 01:23:47,120
Gone!

1457
01:23:48,220 --> 01:23:49,890
What do you call this?

1458
01:23:51,500 --> 01:23:53,989
It's the Serb reply
to the Austrian demands.

1459
01:23:53,990 --> 01:23:57,850
They agreed to everything.
Everything. A total capitulation!

1460
01:23:58,510 --> 01:24:00,500
-I thought you said...
-What?

1461
01:24:01,770 --> 01:24:03,580
What did I say?

1462
01:24:04,300 --> 01:24:07,009
I was under the impression
you had read

1463
01:24:07,010 --> 01:24:09,969
the Serb reply before we
met at breakfast yesterday.

1464
01:24:09,970 --> 01:24:12,350
Why on earth would you think that?

1465
01:24:12,660 --> 01:24:15,090
It was in front of you
on the breakfast table.

1466
01:24:17,540 --> 01:24:20,499
This whole thing
wouldn't be such a mess

1467
01:24:20,500 --> 01:24:23,109
if Austria had simply...

1468
01:24:23,110 --> 01:24:25,469
if things
had been done

1469
01:24:25,470 --> 01:24:27,650
as I said they should be done!

1470
01:24:27,960 --> 01:24:29,880
You've had the time, Bethmann.

1471
01:24:31,220 --> 01:24:33,720
Do we change course, Your Majesty?

1472
01:24:34,730 --> 01:24:36,030
No.

1473
01:24:37,100 --> 01:24:41,280
Get Austria into Belgrade!

1474
01:24:41,900 --> 01:24:44,269
They can hold the city
until the Serbs

1475
01:24:44,270 --> 01:24:45,849
do all those things

1476
01:24:45,850 --> 01:24:48,289
they now say they are willing to do!

1477
01:24:48,290 --> 01:24:50,609
-Yes, sir.
-But it must be done immediately!

1478
01:24:50,610 --> 01:24:51,910
Yes, sir.

1479
01:24:57,900 --> 01:24:59,310
Message to Vienna.

1480
01:24:59,750 --> 01:25:01,050
Yes, sir.

1481
01:25:02,040 --> 01:25:03,690
I take the liberty...

1482
01:25:04,040 --> 01:25:08,120
of submitting for the consideration
of Your Imperial Majesty...

1483
01:25:09,130 --> 01:25:10,950
No.
No, no, no, no.

1484
01:25:16,860 --> 01:25:20,440
The indulgence
of Your Imperial Majesty...

1485
01:25:33,620 --> 01:25:36,579
<i>Franz Josef, the Austrian Emperor,</i>

1486
01:25:36,580 --> 01:25:40,120
<i>signing a declaration
of war against Serbia.</i>

1487
01:25:41,660 --> 01:25:43,350
<i>Look at his face.</i>

1488
01:25:44,260 --> 01:25:46,369
<i>He might be signing
an ordinance</i>

1489
01:25:46,370 --> 01:25:49,629
<i>to permit electric street-lighting
in distant Budapest</i>

1490
01:25:49,630 --> 01:25:53,500
<i>or lifting a ban
on linen trading in Krakow.</i>

1491
01:25:54,860 --> 01:25:56,629
<i>What he's actually doing</i>

1492
01:25:56,630 --> 01:25:59,550
<i>is signing his own death warrant</i>

1493
01:26:00,110 --> 01:26:02,020
<i>and that of his dynasty.</i>

1494
01:26:08,530 --> 01:26:10,289
<i>The Kaiser had finally got</i>

1495
01:26:10,290 --> 01:26:12,050
<i>his little Balkan war.</i>

1496
01:26:18,340 --> 01:26:22,940
<i>That evening the first Austrian
bombs fell on Belgrade.</i>

1497
01:26:36,260 --> 01:26:39,619
The Serbian government has left
Belgrade, apparently.

1498
01:26:39,620 --> 01:26:41,410
-To avoid capture.
-I see.

1499
01:26:41,950 --> 01:26:45,259
Of course we're still waiting to hear
officially from the Austrian embassy.

1500
01:26:45,260 --> 01:26:47,069
So the international conference...

1501
01:26:47,070 --> 01:26:48,370
It's dead.

1502
01:26:48,700 --> 01:26:50,720
Yes, I suppose so.

1503
01:26:51,060 --> 01:26:53,069
Can't imagine how that happened.

1504
01:26:53,070 --> 01:26:54,859
I thought we had...
an agreement.

1505
01:26:54,860 --> 01:26:56,820
You've been played Edward.

1506
01:26:57,460 --> 01:26:59,270
And very clever play.

1507
01:26:59,580 --> 01:27:02,339
-You have to admire Berlin.
-Berlin?

1508
01:27:02,340 --> 01:27:04,999
They've used
Prince Lichnowsky like a sewer.

1509
01:27:05,000 --> 01:27:07,790
A conduit to send
all their shit our way.

1510
01:27:08,580 --> 01:27:11,699
Don't feel sorry for yourself.
You've only lost one wicket.

1511
01:27:11,700 --> 01:27:14,580
The game's still
trembling in the balance.

1512
01:27:17,060 --> 01:27:18,889
Yes.
That's true.

1513
01:27:18,890 --> 01:27:22,839
Do remember that affability
is not a strategy Edward.

1514
01:27:22,840 --> 01:27:26,860
Now's the time to put British
power into the scales.

1515
01:27:27,500 --> 01:27:30,400
No more pretending we're
just the umpire.

1516
01:27:38,260 --> 01:27:39,700
I'll see myself out.

1517
01:27:53,000 --> 01:27:56,710
6 DAYS TO WAR

1518
01:27:59,260 --> 01:28:02,719
<i>You told me Berlin was going to put
its weight behind a peace conference.</i>

1519
01:28:02,720 --> 01:28:05,589
<i>But, Edward,</i>
that was before we realised

1520
01:28:05,590 --> 01:28:07,469
that the Russians were
mobilising their army.

1521
01:28:07,470 --> 01:28:09,429
Against Austria,
not Germany.

1522
01:28:09,430 --> 01:28:12,569
I'm told they have enough troops
to worry us both.

1523
01:28:12,570 --> 01:28:15,229
They fear your mobilization
too, of course.

1524
01:28:15,230 --> 01:28:17,359
But Germany has not mobilised.

1525
01:28:17,360 --> 01:28:18,669
Yes, yes.

1526
01:28:18,670 --> 01:28:21,379
But they fear the speed
with which you can...

1527
01:28:21,380 --> 01:28:23,489
Therefore they are
obliged to act now

1528
01:28:23,490 --> 01:28:26,619
-for fear of being overwhelmed later.
-I understand the point.

1529
01:28:26,620 --> 01:28:29,670
Crowe, could I have a moment alone
with Prince Lichnowsky?

1530
01:28:34,380 --> 01:28:36,830
You're shaken by this too.
I can tell.

1531
01:28:38,300 --> 01:28:40,659
What do we do, Max?

1532
01:28:40,660 --> 01:28:44,129
I believe that once the Austrians
have captured Belgrade

1533
01:28:44,130 --> 01:28:46,779
the Kaiser will want
diplomacy to take over.

1534
01:28:46,780 --> 01:28:49,569
I feel I have been misled
once by Germany.

1535
01:28:49,570 --> 01:28:51,959
I can appreciate that.
But it's not by design.

1536
01:28:51,960 --> 01:28:53,629
Please believe me.

1537
01:28:53,630 --> 01:28:54,939
Very well.

1538
01:28:54,940 --> 01:28:57,469
Once Austria has crossed
the Danube,

1539
01:28:57,470 --> 01:29:00,189
let the Kaiser propose
a plan for mediation.

1540
01:29:00,190 --> 01:29:02,729
You know, I am not jealous
about my role in this

1541
01:29:02,730 --> 01:29:05,930
-or precious about ownership.
-I know you're not.

1542
01:29:06,340 --> 01:29:09,669
No, we are happy to fall in with
whatever he suggests.

1543
01:29:09,670 --> 01:29:12,299
We could call it
"The German Peace Plan".

1544
01:29:12,300 --> 01:29:16,090
That would be...
very helpful to His Majesty.

1545
01:29:16,630 --> 01:29:18,599
We are friends, aren't we?

1546
01:29:18,600 --> 01:29:20,419
Most certainly we are friends.

1547
01:29:20,420 --> 01:29:22,919
So, I am telling you this
because we are friends

1548
01:29:22,920 --> 01:29:25,720
and I wouldn't want our intimacy
to lead you astray.

1549
01:29:26,540 --> 01:29:29,149
If France is drawn into this
conflict...

1550
01:29:29,150 --> 01:29:30,459
France?

1551
01:29:30,460 --> 01:29:32,759
As Russia's ally, it is possible.

1552
01:29:32,760 --> 01:29:34,669
Unlikely, for a Balkan question.

1553
01:29:34,670 --> 01:29:38,269
But still possible.
And if France is drawn in,

1554
01:29:38,270 --> 01:29:42,180
it may be difficult
for Britain to

1555
01:29:55,900 --> 01:29:57,750
He will warn his government.

1556
01:30:00,740 --> 01:30:03,280
Britain in earnest.

1557
01:30:05,060 --> 01:30:08,500
Mediation must succeed.

1558
01:30:10,500 --> 01:30:12,210
<i>"Britain in earnest."</i>

1559
01:30:13,420 --> 01:30:15,780
<i>Of course that alarmed the Kaiser.</i>

1560
01:30:16,500 --> 01:30:20,489
<i>He thought of his cousin,
Tsar Nicholas of Russia.'</i>

1561
01:30:20,490 --> 01:30:21,899
Knees up!

1562
01:30:21,900 --> 01:30:24,299
<i>And wondered if the two of them</i>

1563
01:30:24,300 --> 01:30:27,329
<i>might not stop their respective
military machines.</i>

1564
01:30:27,330 --> 01:30:28,639
Halt!

1565
01:30:28,640 --> 01:30:31,059
<i>What a sad dialogue
they embarked on.</i>

1566
01:30:31,060 --> 01:30:32,770
-Salute!
<i>-Dear, Nicky,</i>

1567
01:30:33,680 --> 01:30:37,310
we have a common interest
as sovereigns

1568
01:30:37,720 --> 01:30:39,479
to ensure

1569
01:30:39,480 --> 01:30:43,359
that all persons morally
responsible for the murder...

1570
01:30:43,360 --> 01:30:44,660
<i>Dear, Willy,</i>

1571
01:30:44,970 --> 01:30:46,810
the indignation in Russia,

1572
01:30:47,220 --> 01:30:48,939
fully shared by me,

1573
01:30:48,940 --> 01:30:50,240
is enormous.

1574
01:30:51,420 --> 01:30:54,059
I foresee a time
when I shall be forced to take

1575
01:30:54,060 --> 01:30:56,969
extreme measures
which will lead to war.

1576
01:30:56,970 --> 01:30:58,279
<i>Dear, Nicky, the whole</i>

1577
01:30:58,280 --> 01:31:01,959
weight of the decision lies solely
on your shoulders now...

1578
01:31:01,960 --> 01:31:03,350
<i>Dear, Willy,</i>

1579
01:31:03,710 --> 01:31:07,050
I shall be overwhelmed
by pressure to go to war,

1580
01:31:07,760 --> 01:31:09,639
I appeal to you to help me.

1581
01:31:09,640 --> 01:31:12,890
-Dear, Nicky.
-Dear, Willy.

1582
01:31:14,740 --> 01:31:16,590
And on it went.

1583
01:31:17,060 --> 01:31:21,179
<i>Two sovereigns
living in a world of make believe.</i>

1584
01:31:21,180 --> 01:31:25,029
<i>That evening Russia moved to
full mobilization</i>

1585
01:31:25,030 --> 01:31:27,640
<i>and all her reservists
were called up.</i>

1586
01:31:28,150 --> 01:31:31,899
<i>That night Moltke sent
a cable to Vienna.</i>

1587
01:31:31,900 --> 01:31:35,850
<i>Proceed to full mobilization.
Do not fear Russia.</i>

1588
01:31:37,700 --> 01:31:41,090
<i>But Bethmann sent one to the
Austrians too.</i>

1589
01:31:41,500 --> 01:31:45,920
To open hostilities with Russia,
he said, would be a serious error.

1590
01:31:47,100 --> 01:31:49,499
Sincerely, so on and so on.

1591
01:31:49,500 --> 01:31:53,570
<i>Two conflicting voices.
Whose would be louder?</i>

1592
01:31:59,140 --> 01:32:02,330
<i>We knew nothing about those two
telegrams, of course.</i>

1593
01:32:02,900 --> 01:32:07,060
<i>But the full Russian mobilization
we did know about.</i>

1594
01:32:11,220 --> 01:32:13,909
<i>We also knew that
it meant France</i>

1595
01:32:13,910 --> 01:32:16,600
<i>was now in danger of being
drawn into the conflict.</i>

1596
01:32:23,310 --> 01:32:27,210
5 DAYS TO WAR

1597
01:32:36,060 --> 01:32:37,990
France has arrived!

1598
01:32:38,340 --> 01:32:40,779
I always expect him to dance in.

1599
01:32:40,780 --> 01:32:42,990
I rather doubt
he'll be in the mood for that.

1600
01:32:46,760 --> 01:32:50,789
<i>This was France in the shape
of Ambassador Paul Cambon.</i>

1601
01:32:50,790 --> 01:32:52,619
<i>Gallic on the surface.</i>

1602
01:32:52,620 --> 01:32:54,250
<i>Gallic to the core.</i>

1603
01:32:54,740 --> 01:32:56,799
<i>But there were many
in the foreign office</i>

1604
01:32:56,800 --> 01:33:00,569
<i>who joked that Monsieur Cambon
was representing Russia too.</i>

1605
01:33:00,570 --> 01:33:04,430
<i>For in 1892
the impossible had happened.</i>

1606
01:33:04,840 --> 01:33:08,069
<i>Republican France,
home to the Revolution,</i>

1607
01:33:08,070 --> 01:33:10,229
<i>had signed a treaty
with Tsarist Russia,</i>

1608
01:33:10,230 --> 01:33:12,489
<i>the symbol of despotic tyranny.</i>

1609
01:33:12,490 --> 01:33:14,180
<i>Why had they done this?</i>

1610
01:33:14,790 --> 01:33:16,099
<i>Fear!</i>

1611
01:33:16,100 --> 01:33:20,089
<i>Fear that they might be overwhelmed
again by the German army.</i>

1612
01:33:20,090 --> 01:33:22,529
The foreign secretary will see you
now, Your Excellency.

1613
01:33:22,530 --> 01:33:24,909
<i>So now,
if Russia went to war</i>

1614
01:33:24,910 --> 01:33:27,750
<i>it was likely that France would do
so too.</i>

1615
01:33:34,500 --> 01:33:37,560
<i>If France follows
Russia into a Balkan war</i>

1616
01:33:37,870 --> 01:33:41,089
it will be difficult for Britain to
follow France.

1617
01:33:41,090 --> 01:33:42,879
I know that sounds blunt.

1618
01:33:42,880 --> 01:33:44,899
But I think it's important
to be clear.

1619
01:33:44,900 --> 01:33:47,770
So there's no room
for misunderstanding later.

1620
01:33:48,380 --> 01:33:52,259
Germany, happily,
will postpone its own mobilization

1621
01:33:52,260 --> 01:33:56,249
until we have absolutely exhausted
efforts at mediation.

1622
01:33:56,250 --> 01:33:59,239
But in the light of
Russia's actions,

1623
01:33:59,240 --> 01:34:01,950
we are asking rather
a lot of them I feel.

1624
01:34:02,270 --> 01:34:04,170
It does sound blunt.

1625
01:34:05,140 --> 01:34:08,349
For a moment there I thought
you'd taken a vow of silence, Paul.

1626
01:34:08,350 --> 01:34:10,629
There is a war party in Germany.

1627
01:34:10,630 --> 01:34:12,700
-He knows it.
-I know it too.

1628
01:34:13,140 --> 01:34:17,109
But if France throws the fat
in the fire by following Russia,

1629
01:34:17,110 --> 01:34:19,589
it will simply encourage that
war party.

1630
01:34:19,590 --> 01:34:20,890
Don't you think?

1631
01:34:21,900 --> 01:34:25,749
How easy it is to be
complacent about Germany

1632
01:34:25,750 --> 01:34:27,909
when you are protected
by the Channel.

1633
01:34:27,910 --> 01:34:31,019
My dear fellow, it's not
the Channel that protects us.

1634
01:34:31,020 --> 01:34:32,490
It's the Navy.

1635
01:34:37,820 --> 01:34:41,139
Theirs is no ordinary
mobilization, of course.

1636
01:34:41,140 --> 01:34:43,769
-The Russian railway system...
-Is prehistoric.

1637
01:34:43,770 --> 01:34:47,189
It would be quicker to get their men
to the front in horse and cart.

1638
01:34:47,190 --> 01:34:49,629
And therefore there is no
need for us to panic.

1639
01:34:49,630 --> 01:34:51,079
Who panics here?

1640
01:34:51,080 --> 01:34:53,539
I'm saying we should not be hasty.

1641
01:34:53,540 --> 01:34:56,189
The French will be.
It's their nature.

1642
01:34:56,190 --> 01:34:58,109
But France has not mobilised.

1643
01:34:58,110 --> 01:35:00,759
On the contrary, I received
a piece of information today...

1644
01:35:00,760 --> 01:35:02,660
which I wish to share with you.

1645
01:35:03,020 --> 01:35:06,110
On an initiative from the French
foreign ministry

1646
01:35:06,520 --> 01:35:08,930
to eliminate potential
sources of friction

1647
01:35:09,780 --> 01:35:12,210
all French military personnel

1648
01:35:12,520 --> 01:35:16,319
have retreated ten kilometres
from the Franco-German frontier,

1649
01:35:16,320 --> 01:35:18,910
-as from this morning.
-They're getting some practice in.

1650
01:35:19,620 --> 01:35:20,920
Shut up!

1651
01:35:21,880 --> 01:35:25,289
-The French have not mobilised.
-Not yet.

1652
01:35:25,290 --> 01:35:26,999
So, you are asking us

1653
01:35:27,000 --> 01:35:30,929
to threaten someone in advance
of them possibly threatening us?

1654
01:35:30,930 --> 01:35:33,390
Yes.
Yes, I am.

1655
01:35:33,740 --> 01:35:35,209
What are you planning?

1656
01:35:35,210 --> 01:35:37,539
Either Germany fills her
lungs or she dies.

1657
01:35:37,540 --> 01:35:39,229
This is the law of nations.

1658
01:35:39,230 --> 01:35:42,150
International life is
a constant struggle to breathe.

1659
01:35:42,710 --> 01:35:46,690
-You want to invade France?
-And then we'll deal with the Russians.

1660
01:35:47,940 --> 01:35:49,780
Is this vanity?

1661
01:35:50,380 --> 01:35:53,429
It won't be like your uncle's
day Moltke.

1662
01:35:53,430 --> 01:35:56,159
I thought as a military man you
might have noticed

1663
01:35:56,160 --> 01:36:00,350
the line of concrete forts they've
built since 1870.

1664
01:36:01,220 --> 01:36:06,219
Toul, Moulainville, Douaumont...

1665
01:36:06,220 --> 01:36:09,089
Very good Bethmann.
You should set this to music.

1666
01:36:09,090 --> 01:36:10,399
-..Verdun.
-Verdun.

1667
01:36:10,400 --> 01:36:12,800
<i>Oui, oui, pas oublier
Verdun.</i>

1668
01:36:13,760 --> 01:36:16,100
Are we just to ignore these
fortifications?

1669
01:36:16,440 --> 01:36:19,019
Pretend they are not there?
They do not exist?

1670
01:36:19,020 --> 01:36:20,909
We could spare France,
of course,

1671
01:36:20,910 --> 01:36:23,190
and concentrate on Russia.

1672
01:36:24,340 --> 01:36:26,950
But Paris would have to agree to
certain conditions.

1673
01:36:27,260 --> 01:36:31,080
Those, I've already outlined
to our friends in London.

1674
01:36:32,540 --> 01:36:34,579
You're talking to London?

1675
01:36:34,580 --> 01:36:37,400
They will receive my note
tomorrow morning.

1676
01:36:45,360 --> 01:36:46,669
5 DAYS TO WAR

1677
01:36:46,670 --> 01:36:50,570
4 DAYS TO WAR

1678
01:37:00,260 --> 01:37:01,560
Thank you.

1679
01:37:05,220 --> 01:37:06,570
Quite incredible.

1680
01:37:06,980 --> 01:37:10,029
Germany is practically
asking for the keys to France.

1681
01:37:10,030 --> 01:37:12,809
If France agrees to remain
neutral

1682
01:37:12,810 --> 01:37:14,449
in the event of a
German-Russian war

1683
01:37:14,450 --> 01:37:18,229
it gets as its reward from Germany,
what?

1684
01:37:18,230 --> 01:37:21,229
The German occupation
of the fortresses of Verdun and Toul

1685
01:37:21,230 --> 01:37:23,019
for the duration of that war!

1686
01:37:23,020 --> 01:37:25,629
They don't seem to know the difference
between a threat and a bribe.

1687
01:37:25,630 --> 01:37:28,149
It's intended to provoke
a French mobilization.

1688
01:37:28,150 --> 01:37:29,989
-Not convinced.
-It is, Edward.

1689
01:37:29,990 --> 01:37:31,399
It would be like them telling us

1690
01:37:31,400 --> 01:37:33,309
"We won't attack you,
but Winston here must allow

1691
01:37:33,310 --> 01:37:36,039
"German sailors to take
command of the Royal Navy."

1692
01:37:36,040 --> 01:37:38,599
You all keep saying
"they" or "them".

1693
01:37:38,600 --> 01:37:41,490
How do you know it's not
the work of just one man?

1694
01:37:41,900 --> 01:37:43,789
And rogues have loud voices.

1695
01:37:43,790 --> 01:37:45,740
Doesn't mean they speak for everyone.

1696
01:37:46,350 --> 01:37:47,659
I beg your pardon?

1697
01:37:47,660 --> 01:37:50,219
I think we must share this
with the Cabinet.

1698
01:37:50,220 --> 01:37:51,720
They will be waiting, Winston.

1699
01:37:54,340 --> 01:37:57,549
The German proposal is inept.
Of course it is.

1700
01:37:57,550 --> 01:38:00,139
-But the principle...
-But the principle behind it

1701
01:38:00,140 --> 01:38:02,079
-is not a bad one.
-What is this principle,

1702
01:38:02,080 --> 01:38:04,709
Mr. Chancellor?
That we stuff our ally?

1703
01:38:04,710 --> 01:38:06,119
Very good, Winston.

1704
01:38:06,120 --> 01:38:09,009
But the principle that Mr. Burns
here is talking about

1705
01:38:09,010 --> 01:38:11,539
is one of separating
any war in the east

1706
01:38:11,540 --> 01:38:13,749
from any likely
conflict in the west.

1707
01:38:13,750 --> 01:38:16,929
Building a cavity wall
between the two.

1708
01:38:16,930 --> 01:38:19,929
The sensible thing
would be to send France

1709
01:38:19,930 --> 01:38:23,239
a signal that we do not
share her enthusiasm for war.

1710
01:38:23,240 --> 01:38:25,349
That we rein her in.

1711
01:38:25,350 --> 01:38:28,679
Or leave her high and dry?

1712
01:38:28,680 --> 01:38:30,909
France is our, our...
our ally,

1713
01:38:30,910 --> 01:38:33,129
we do have certain obligations.

1714
01:38:33,130 --> 01:38:35,550
We have an "understanding" with her.

1715
01:38:37,140 --> 01:38:40,869
That's putting it rather
mildly, Lord Morley.

1716
01:38:40,870 --> 01:38:42,859
It is an "understanding".

1717
01:38:42,860 --> 01:38:46,729
That's the way the Foreign Secretary
described the <i>Entente Cordiale</i>

1718
01:38:46,730 --> 01:38:48,539
when it was first dreamt up.

1719
01:38:48,540 --> 01:38:52,809
But exactly what this
"understanding" entails we

1720
01:38:52,810 --> 01:38:55,200
around this table don't quite know.

1721
01:38:55,660 --> 01:38:57,909
There's nothing that you're
concealing from us

1722
01:38:57,910 --> 01:38:59,420
is there, Sir Edward?

1723
01:39:09,700 --> 01:39:11,049
Please...

1724
01:39:11,050 --> 01:39:13,859
Sir Edward is still in cabinet.

1725
01:39:13,860 --> 01:39:16,429
But I could have some tea
brought for you.

1726
01:39:16,430 --> 01:39:17,730
Thank you.

1727
01:39:42,420 --> 01:39:44,940
Have you been waiting long?

1728
01:39:46,620 --> 01:39:49,280
Only since 1870.

1729
01:39:58,550 --> 01:40:00,379
For two years,
Your Majesty,

1730
01:40:00,380 --> 01:40:02,380
if we all adjust our diet a little.

1731
01:40:02,710 --> 01:40:05,100
That's with grain from our own
fields.

1732
01:40:07,980 --> 01:40:11,780
We may acquire fields
elsewhere, of course.

1733
01:40:13,260 --> 01:40:14,989
You mean in Russia.

1734
01:40:14,990 --> 01:40:16,479
Russia...
eventually.

1735
01:40:16,480 --> 01:40:18,499
He's talking about France.

1736
01:40:18,500 --> 01:40:22,899
I wonder, Your Majesty, do you know
how many ministers of war

1737
01:40:22,900 --> 01:40:26,590
the French Republic has
had in the last 43 years?

1738
01:40:27,150 --> 01:40:28,539
I will not guess.

1739
01:40:28,540 --> 01:40:31,309
But I am sure my chancellor here
will know the answer.

1740
01:40:31,310 --> 01:40:33,599
-42.
-That is correct.

1741
01:40:33,600 --> 01:40:37,359
42 ministers
of war in 43 years.

1742
01:40:37,360 --> 01:40:40,279
And they wonder
why their army is a rabble.

1743
01:40:40,280 --> 01:40:43,639
-But it isn't.
-Bethmann Hollweg the soldier.

1744
01:40:43,640 --> 01:40:46,629
Your Majesty,
he wants to declare war on France!

1745
01:40:46,630 --> 01:40:48,099
I don't want to.

1746
01:40:48,100 --> 01:40:51,229
But I think a war between us
is bound to happen.

1747
01:40:51,230 --> 01:40:53,299
He wants to.
And I will tell you this -

1748
01:40:53,300 --> 01:40:55,829
Britain will not stay neutral in a
war that takes in France!

1749
01:40:55,830 --> 01:40:57,949
Britain is not
capable of getting involved.

1750
01:40:57,950 --> 01:41:01,179
-She cannot spare the troops.
-He means Ireland.

1751
01:41:01,180 --> 01:41:03,479
She will risk how many divisions
on the Continent?

1752
01:41:03,480 --> 01:41:04,900
Four? Five?

1753
01:41:05,230 --> 01:41:07,429
They would get swept
up in the general rout.

1754
01:41:07,430 --> 01:41:09,159
This is irresponsible talk.

1755
01:41:09,160 --> 01:41:12,360
Gentlemen, it's a
beautiful summer's evening...

1756
01:41:13,670 --> 01:41:15,560
and I think we deserve some
refreshments.

1757
01:41:18,380 --> 01:41:23,210
You have to say it would teach
the British a thing or two.

1758
01:41:24,380 --> 01:41:27,709
Well, if you insist on making
war on the Continent then...

1759
01:41:27,710 --> 01:41:30,870
don't just send a few outriders,
do it properly.

1760
01:41:35,580 --> 01:41:37,989
<i>I would ask the Cabinet
for authorisation</i>

1761
01:41:37,990 --> 01:41:41,009
to move to a full mobilization
of the Royal Navy.

1762
01:41:41,010 --> 01:41:43,609
-Do that and I go!
-Oh, John...

1763
01:41:43,610 --> 01:41:48,229
I'm sorry, Prime Minister,
but that is gunboat diplomacy.

1764
01:41:48,230 --> 01:41:51,049
Any fool can make an heroic gesture,

1765
01:41:51,050 --> 01:41:53,829
but let's not confuse that with,
with a bid for peace.

1766
01:41:53,830 --> 01:41:55,489
-Hear, hear.
-Liberalism's

1767
01:41:55,490 --> 01:41:58,769
has got to mean something
more intelligent

1768
01:41:58,770 --> 01:42:01,349
than pulling the gun out every time
you're in a quarrel.

1769
01:42:01,350 --> 01:42:04,669
It's an accompaniment, John,
to what I'm doing.

1770
01:42:04,670 --> 01:42:06,299
We'll keep on talking.

1771
01:42:06,300 --> 01:42:08,900
I would offer my resignation, too,
Prime Minister.

1772
01:42:10,260 --> 01:42:11,560
And I.

1773
01:42:13,140 --> 01:42:14,449
Prime Minister,

1774
01:42:14,450 --> 01:42:18,510
you will not take the
Liberal Party with you
into a European war.

1775
01:42:20,380 --> 01:42:22,020
But can I suggest this?

1776
01:42:23,580 --> 01:42:26,449
We have evidently lost control of
what is taking place

1777
01:42:26,450 --> 01:42:28,570
between Austria and Russia.

1778
01:42:28,980 --> 01:42:31,769
But we are still capable of
influencing

1779
01:42:31,770 --> 01:42:34,360
what is happening between
Germany and France.

1780
01:42:35,000 --> 01:42:38,390
That is where our peacemaking
efforts should now be.

1781
01:42:41,040 --> 01:42:42,340
Sir Edward?

1782
01:42:43,150 --> 01:42:45,500
I should like to make

1783
01:42:46,130 --> 01:42:49,930
a telephone call
to the German Ambassador.

1784
01:42:52,840 --> 01:42:55,649
Your Excellency, Sir Edward is on the
Number Ten telephone

1785
01:42:55,650 --> 01:42:57,340
and would like to speak with you.

1786
01:43:04,420 --> 01:43:07,349
<i>You must promise not to
attack France.</i>

1787
01:43:07,350 --> 01:43:08,650
That is key...

1788
01:43:09,260 --> 01:43:13,100
in the event of a
Russian-German conflict breaking out.

1789
01:43:16,200 --> 01:43:18,520
Do you understand?

1790
01:43:18,900 --> 01:43:22,830
<i>And we will undertake</i>
to guarantee...

1791
01:43:25,020 --> 01:43:28,609
..that Britain and France
<i>will not attack Germany in return.</i>

1792
01:43:28,610 --> 01:43:30,649
The French have agreed to this?

1793
01:43:30,650 --> 01:43:31,950
-What?
-July.

1794
01:43:32,460 --> 01:43:34,760
-The French have...?
<i>-That is correct.</i>

1795
01:43:36,220 --> 01:43:39,179
<i>Then I will take responsibility
for saying now</i>

1796
01:43:39,180 --> 01:43:42,670
<i>that the German government</i>
will respond positively,

1797
01:43:43,180 --> 01:43:45,680
pleasurably to your initiative.

1798
01:43:47,940 --> 01:43:49,240
Sir Edward?

1799
01:44:10,500 --> 01:44:12,680
Sir Edward Grey's proposal...

1800
01:44:13,830 --> 01:44:15,590
is to be commended...

1801
01:44:16,950 --> 01:44:20,050
for guaranteeing the security...

1802
01:44:20,580 --> 01:44:23,659
..of our border with France.

1803
01:44:23,660 --> 01:44:24,969
What did you say to Germany?

1804
01:44:24,970 --> 01:44:26,969
You have sold us,
I can tell.

1805
01:44:26,970 --> 01:44:29,230
Crowe, please,
will you join us?

1806
01:44:33,060 --> 01:44:36,020
I have not sold you.
It is simply this.

1807
01:44:37,060 --> 01:44:41,529
The Cabinet feels Britain
has no interest

1808
01:44:41,530 --> 01:44:46,389
in what is essentially an
Austro-Russian dispute in the east.

1809
01:44:46,390 --> 01:44:49,389
France, of course has her
alliance with Russia,

1810
01:44:49,390 --> 01:44:51,859
the provisions of which
we know nothing about

1811
01:44:51,860 --> 01:44:56,869
and we cannot allow ourselves to be
the tail to Russia's comet.

1812
01:44:56,870 --> 01:44:58,789
-You have sold us!
-We haven't.

1813
01:44:58,790 --> 01:45:00,979
Each day we delay our mobilization

1814
01:45:00,980 --> 01:45:04,349
we lose the equivalent of 25 km of
French territory

1815
01:45:04,350 --> 01:45:07,209
-if war does break about.
-Well, I appreciate France's restraint

1816
01:45:07,210 --> 01:45:09,069
and would urge her to continue on
that course.

1817
01:45:09,070 --> 01:45:12,619
<i>How many French lives will it take
to get each of those 25km back?</i>

1818
01:45:12,620 --> 01:45:14,089
-Paul...
-Are you going to wait

1819
01:45:14,090 --> 01:45:16,290
until France is violated
before you act?

1820
01:45:20,160 --> 01:45:22,010
You must make your own decision

1821
01:45:22,620 --> 01:45:25,660
and not reckon on British assistance.

1822
01:45:26,540 --> 01:45:27,980
We, for our part,

1823
01:45:28,980 --> 01:45:32,240
will continue to explore peace
initiatives with Germany.

1824
01:45:39,920 --> 01:45:41,699
This evening the word "honour"

1825
01:45:41,700 --> 01:45:43,890
will be struck from the
English dictionary.

1826
01:45:52,860 --> 01:45:55,360
I thought
he would be a little more pliable.

1827
01:45:58,140 --> 01:45:59,780
He's distraught, of course.

1828
01:46:01,460 --> 01:46:03,590
I think the French will back down.

1829
01:46:05,220 --> 01:46:06,950
I think they'll see sense.

1830
01:46:07,660 --> 01:46:09,200
Can I ask you, sir...

1831
01:46:09,620 --> 01:46:14,140
what precisely did you say to
Prince Lichnowsky on the telephone?

1832
01:46:15,140 --> 01:46:16,440
I...

1833
01:46:16,950 --> 01:46:18,600
I told him...

1834
01:46:24,580 --> 01:46:27,669
I'm not entirely sure, Crowe.

1835
01:46:27,670 --> 01:46:30,920
That's rather awkward.

1836
01:46:32,980 --> 01:46:36,869
Everyone thinks I have the power

1837
01:46:36,870 --> 01:46:39,589
to invent new facts

1838
01:46:39,590 --> 01:46:42,060
when the old ones become dangerous.

1839
01:46:44,220 --> 01:46:47,069
They think if they tell me their
predicament,

1840
01:46:47,070 --> 01:46:48,850
it will disappear.

1841
01:46:49,300 --> 01:46:51,200
To them you are Great Britain.

1842
01:46:51,710 --> 01:46:54,320
You hold immense power.

1843
01:46:57,740 --> 01:47:00,210
I am also just Edward Grey.

1844
01:47:14,780 --> 01:47:17,629
<i>The Kaiser ordered the mobilization
of our army</i>

1845
01:47:17,630 --> 01:47:19,650
<i>against Russia that evening.</i>

1846
01:47:23,000 --> 01:47:26,539
<i>And then, France also mobilised.</i>

1847
01:47:26,540 --> 01:47:29,980
If the iron dice roll,
may God help us.

1848
01:47:31,820 --> 01:47:34,389
Trains must leave every 90 seconds.

1849
01:47:34,390 --> 01:47:36,460
No delays.
No excuses.

1850
01:47:36,900 --> 01:47:40,380
<i>A million of our soldiers would
soon be on the move.</i>

1851
01:47:41,160 --> 01:47:43,580
<i>And I would be one of them.</i>

1852
01:47:45,080 --> 01:47:48,690
We think we are good at this.
Let us prove it.

1853
01:47:49,900 --> 01:47:53,029
<i>But then suddenly,
out of the clear blue sky,</i>

1854
01:47:53,030 --> 01:47:55,250
<i>came Edward Grey's peace plan.</i>

1855
01:47:56,460 --> 01:47:59,450
<i>The one he proposed on the
telephone to Prince Lichnowsky.</i>

1856
01:48:01,260 --> 01:48:04,259
<i>It arrived in Berlin
just 23 minutes</i>

1857
01:48:04,260 --> 01:48:07,750
<i>'after the Kaiser had signed our
mobilization papers.'</i>

1858
01:48:09,300 --> 01:48:10,950
Open those doors...

1859
01:48:12,080 --> 01:48:14,159
-and bring champagne.
-What is it?

1860
01:48:14,160 --> 01:48:16,259
-The best champagne.
-What is it?

1861
01:48:16,260 --> 01:48:18,349
Gentleman,
I just received word

1862
01:48:18,350 --> 01:48:20,200
from Prince Lichnowsky in London.

1863
01:48:21,500 --> 01:48:23,339
"French and..."

1864
01:48:23,340 --> 01:48:26,119
Chancellor, you represent the
civilian arm of Germany.

1865
01:48:26,120 --> 01:48:27,420
You read it.

1866
01:48:29,760 --> 01:48:32,859
"French and British
neutrality guaranteed

1867
01:48:32,860 --> 01:48:35,869
"if Germany refrains
from attacking France."

1868
01:48:35,870 --> 01:48:38,269
Only Russia is left in the field.

1869
01:48:38,270 --> 01:48:40,349
I have 25,000 trains in motion.

1870
01:48:40,350 --> 01:48:43,509
-Will Russia back down now also?
-She might well do that.

1871
01:48:43,510 --> 01:48:45,869
25,000 trains are moving westwards.

1872
01:48:45,870 --> 01:48:47,570
They don't have brakes?

1873
01:48:48,990 --> 01:48:52,149
Our forward units are about to
enter Luxembourg.

1874
01:48:52,150 --> 01:48:55,909
Then stop them, Moltke, and deploy
the entire army to the east!

1875
01:48:55,910 --> 01:48:59,699
-I can't, it's too late.
-It's a command, you half-wit.

1876
01:48:59,700 --> 01:49:03,050
Stop them and turn
the army to the east.

1877
01:49:07,860 --> 01:49:09,160
Let's go!

1878
01:49:11,800 --> 01:49:14,199
-To England.
-To Sir Edward Grey.

1879
01:49:14,200 --> 01:49:16,179
It will be complete chaos!

1880
01:49:16,180 --> 01:49:19,840
The whole world will be
thrown into chaos!

1881
01:49:23,180 --> 01:49:24,480
The army.

1882
01:49:24,940 --> 01:49:28,820
You said the whole world.
It's just the army.

1883
01:49:29,740 --> 01:49:31,450
It is simple, Moltke.

1884
01:49:32,340 --> 01:49:34,800
Applaud this man's
superb diplomacy...

1885
01:49:35,580 --> 01:49:38,670
..and then begin
shifting your men to the east.

1886
01:49:38,980 --> 01:49:41,389
We'll discuss reservations once
you've finished.

1887
01:49:41,390 --> 01:49:44,269
Well, on with it,
mobilise yourself first.

1888
01:49:44,270 --> 01:49:46,090
This isn't leadership.

1889
01:49:46,870 --> 01:49:49,829
You might start by getting those
Luxembourg patrols back

1890
01:49:49,830 --> 01:49:52,350
-before they do some damage.
-It isn't.

1891
01:49:53,140 --> 01:49:56,189
Even with that absurd
marshal's batten in your hand.

1892
01:49:56,190 --> 01:49:59,340
-Moltke!
-Your one good hand.

1893
01:50:09,380 --> 01:50:11,480
<i>When do wars start?</i>

1894
01:50:19,760 --> 01:50:21,819
<i>When a declaration is signed?</i>

1895
01:50:21,820 --> 01:50:24,480
<i>Or when an embassy is closed?</i>

1896
01:50:26,220 --> 01:50:29,389
<i>Or do we delude ourselves that
these formalities</i>

1897
01:50:29,390 --> 01:50:30,740
<i>are what count?'-</i>

1898
01:50:36,220 --> 01:50:37,979
<i>I know this.</i>

1899
01:50:37,980 --> 01:50:40,659
<i>'Our fellows were not meant
to be in Luxembourg</i>

1900
01:50:40,660 --> 01:50:41,960
<i>on August 1st.</i>

1901
01:50:42,310 --> 01:50:45,229
<i>We had not declared an argument
with that country,</i>

1902
01:50:45,230 --> 01:50:47,279
<i>let alone declared a war.</i>

1903
01:50:47,280 --> 01:50:49,199
<i>Yet, at seven in the evening</i>

1904
01:50:49,200 --> 01:50:52,159
<i>a detachment of the
69th Infantry Regiment</i>

1905
01:50:52,160 --> 01:50:54,260
<i>crossed over into Luxembourg.</i>

1906
01:51:01,740 --> 01:51:04,979
<i>They were under the command
of a Lieutenant Feldmann,</i>

1907
01:51:04,980 --> 01:51:08,680
<i>who'd been told to seize
the town's telegraph office.</i>

1908
01:51:11,820 --> 01:51:14,429
<i>No casualties were suffered
that day</i>

1909
01:51:14,430 --> 01:51:18,050
<i>unless you count Private Mayer
with his sprained ankle.</i>

1910
01:51:19,820 --> 01:51:23,109
<i>But this strange little engagement
was the curtain-raiser</i>

1911
01:51:23,110 --> 01:51:26,150
<i>to an all-out war
on the Western Front.</i>

1912
01:51:33,400 --> 01:51:35,199
Or it would have been,

1913
01:51:35,200 --> 01:51:37,229
<i>had Sir Edward Grey's peace plan</i>

1914
01:51:37,230 --> 01:51:39,880
<i>not reached Berlin just in time.</i>

1915
01:51:46,380 --> 01:51:48,759
<i>Feldmann was told to come home.</i>

1916
01:51:48,760 --> 01:51:50,829
<i>The war in the west had been
cancelled.</i>

1917
01:51:50,830 --> 01:51:52,139
<i>Scheisse.</i>

1918
01:51:52,140 --> 01:51:53,440
<i>Dear Georgie,</i>

1919
01:51:53,750 --> 01:51:57,309
having just received the glorious
communication from your Government

1920
01:51:57,310 --> 01:52:01,559
offering French neutrality
under guarantee of Great Britain,

1921
01:52:01,560 --> 01:52:05,559
I am delighted to convey my own
government's enthusiasm

1922
01:52:05,560 --> 01:52:06,860
for the proposal.

1923
01:52:08,570 --> 01:52:11,370
1st AUGUST

1924
01:52:11,380 --> 01:52:13,589
4 DAYS TO WAR

1925
01:52:13,590 --> 01:52:16,070
3 DAYS TO WAR

1926
01:52:17,710 --> 01:52:21,310
"One Long Weekend"

1927
01:52:39,620 --> 01:52:41,650
-Your Majesty.
-Your Majesty.

1928
01:52:43,320 --> 01:52:45,160
French neutrality.

1929
01:52:45,470 --> 01:52:47,190
Guaranteed.

1930
01:52:49,060 --> 01:52:50,979
How did you manage that?

1931
01:52:50,980 --> 01:52:53,299
I didn't, Your Majesty.

1932
01:52:53,300 --> 01:52:55,779
Well,
the Kaiser thinks you did.

1933
01:52:55,780 --> 01:52:58,259
Did my cousin just dream it?

1934
01:52:58,260 --> 01:53:01,659
It is likely a mistake was made

1935
01:53:01,660 --> 01:53:06,449
during my telephone conversation
with Prince Lichnowsky yesterday.

1936
01:53:06,450 --> 01:53:09,560
The German ambassador misheard you?

1937
01:53:10,660 --> 01:53:13,780
-Possibly.
-Or you misled him?

1938
01:53:14,240 --> 01:53:16,999
It hardly matters which,
Your Majesty.

1939
01:53:17,000 --> 01:53:19,459
The point the Kaiser is
now holding the wrong end

1940
01:53:19,460 --> 01:53:24,060
-of a very big stick.
-One you handed to him.

1941
01:53:25,380 --> 01:53:29,659
Certainly,
it has landed us all in a...

1942
01:53:29,660 --> 01:53:31,249
most awkward spot.

1943
01:53:31,250 --> 01:53:36,360
So, you would now like me
to disabuse the Kaiser?

1944
01:53:37,740 --> 01:53:39,849
We can arrange for a telegram

1945
01:53:39,850 --> 01:53:42,470
to be sent to your cousin
in the next 20 minutes.

1946
01:53:46,500 --> 01:53:48,849
Before that happens,

1947
01:53:48,850 --> 01:53:51,960
let me just ask the
obvious question.

1948
01:53:54,220 --> 01:53:58,059
We haven't, by some enormous stroke
of luck, stumbled upon a formula

1949
01:53:58,060 --> 01:54:00,560
that would actually keep
the peace in western Europe?

1950
01:54:01,760 --> 01:54:03,069
Not with the French

1951
01:54:03,070 --> 01:54:07,159
being in complete ignorance
of what is being offered.

1952
01:54:07,160 --> 01:54:10,229
-And they...?
-And they will never agree

1953
01:54:10,230 --> 01:54:12,139
to neutrality

1954
01:54:12,140 --> 01:54:16,130
while their Russian ally
is being threatened by Germany.

1955
01:54:18,460 --> 01:54:19,760
I see.

1956
01:54:21,740 --> 01:54:23,680
I will tell the Kaiser
there's been a...

1957
01:54:24,190 --> 01:54:25,800
misunderstanding.

1958
01:54:32,220 --> 01:54:33,740
<i>"Misunderstanding."</i>

1959
01:54:35,780 --> 01:54:38,480
"Misunderstanding?!"

1960
01:54:40,460 --> 01:54:42,060
What does that mean?

1961
01:54:43,180 --> 01:54:47,709
It's such a British explanation.
You tell me what it means.

1962
01:54:47,710 --> 01:54:49,680
-I...
-It's Edward Grey isn't it?

1963
01:54:50,340 --> 01:54:52,190
He's a deceitful cur!

1964
01:54:53,620 --> 01:54:56,429
I forget sometimes that the
English language doesn't distinguish

1965
01:54:56,430 --> 01:54:58,930
between "duplicity" and "diplomacy".

1966
01:54:59,540 --> 01:55:02,680
"Misunderstanding?"
What, "We've changed our minds?!"

1967
01:55:03,190 --> 01:55:05,389
-I'm not sure that...
-Get me Moltke!

1968
01:55:05,390 --> 01:55:07,510
-Sir, please...
-Get me Moltke!

1969
01:55:18,740 --> 01:55:20,800
I've been made a fool of.

1970
01:55:21,760 --> 01:55:24,980
And I am disgusted by that.

1971
01:55:29,440 --> 01:55:31,100
Shake my hand.

1972
01:55:34,460 --> 01:55:37,090
My good hand.

1973
01:55:39,940 --> 01:55:42,790
The English are liars.

1974
01:55:44,100 --> 01:55:46,300
Now you can do as you will.

1975
01:55:47,880 --> 01:55:50,090
SUNDAY, 2ND AUGUST

1976
01:55:50,900 --> 01:55:54,200
72 HOURS TO WAR

1977
01:56:07,100 --> 01:56:09,349
Have you had breakfast, sir?

1978
01:56:09,350 --> 01:56:11,019
I don't think so.

1979
01:56:11,020 --> 01:56:12,599
Might I arrange some for you?

1980
01:56:12,600 --> 01:56:17,430
How long do you imagine the railway
platforms are at Duern?

1981
01:56:19,380 --> 01:56:22,309
An awful lot of German troop trains

1982
01:56:22,310 --> 01:56:24,410
appear to be leaving Cologne...

1983
01:56:25,200 --> 01:56:27,490
..and heading towards Duern.

1984
01:56:28,620 --> 01:56:30,400
It makes no sense.

1985
01:56:32,100 --> 01:56:33,439
<i>For four weeks now,</i>

1986
01:56:33,440 --> 01:56:35,740
<i>ever since the assassination
of Franz Ferdinand...</i>

1987
01:56:37,260 --> 01:56:40,699
<i>we, in Europe, have been living
with the Balkan crisis.</i>

1988
01:56:40,700 --> 01:56:42,639
<i>Serbia and its Russian ally</i>

1989
01:56:42,640 --> 01:56:46,109
<i>raged against Austria
and its German one.</i>

1990
01:56:46,110 --> 01:56:50,139
<i>Now, "When isn't the Balkans
in crisis?" you might think.</i>

1991
01:56:50,140 --> 01:56:53,589
-It's Bosnia, Foreign Secretary.
-I think that might wait.

1992
01:56:53,590 --> 01:56:55,129
<i>Rain is wet,</i>

1993
01:56:55,130 --> 01:56:56,859
<i>the sun dries you out,</i>

1994
01:56:56,860 --> 01:56:59,280
<i>and the Balkans is a trouble spot.</i>

1995
01:56:59,720 --> 01:57:01,580
<i>These are facts of nature.</i>

1996
01:57:02,310 --> 01:57:03,619
<i>In Berlin at first,</i>

1997
01:57:03,620 --> 01:57:07,349
<i>our Kaiser had been keen to stoke
the fires in the Balkans.</i>

1998
01:57:07,350 --> 01:57:09,059
<i>He thought this might give</i>

1999
01:57:09,060 --> 01:57:11,559
<i>our Russian neighbour
a nasty burn.</i>

2000
01:57:11,560 --> 01:57:13,119
<i>A quick, clean war,</i>

2001
01:57:13,120 --> 01:57:15,529
over before the Russians
know it's even begun!

2002
01:57:15,530 --> 01:57:18,399
<i>So, it took the special genius
of General Moltke</i>

2003
01:57:18,400 --> 01:57:21,820
<i> to turn a local conflict
into an international crisis.</i>

2004
01:57:22,600 --> 01:57:25,930
<i>Moltke wasn't interested
in a small war in the Balkans.</i>

2005
01:57:26,430 --> 01:57:28,259
Can't be a powerful Russia

2006
01:57:28,260 --> 01:57:30,939
and a powerful Germany
on the same continent.

2007
01:57:30,940 --> 01:57:32,249
One has to submit!

2008
01:57:32,250 --> 01:57:34,329
<i>He wanted something much bigger.</i>

2009
01:57:34,330 --> 01:57:36,289
He wants to declare war on France.

2010
01:57:36,290 --> 01:57:39,289
<i>And that was when things
began to change in London.</i>

2011
01:57:39,290 --> 01:57:42,029
<i>No longer were we bystanders.</i>

2012
01:57:42,030 --> 01:57:44,539
<i>We had an alliance with France.</i>

2013
01:57:44,540 --> 01:57:47,830
Are you going to wait until France
is violated before you act?

2014
01:57:48,580 --> 01:57:50,729
<i>The Cabinet had no appetite
for war, though,</i>

2015
01:57:50,730 --> 01:57:52,639
<i>and told the Foreign Secretary
to make sure</i>

2016
01:57:52,640 --> 01:57:55,499
<i>the Balkan crisis
didn't spread to the West.</i>

2017
01:57:55,500 --> 01:57:57,559
<i>And, so,
Sir Edward used the telephone</i>

2018
01:57:57,560 --> 01:58:00,469
<i>to broker some kind of agreement
with the German ambassador.</i>

2019
01:58:00,470 --> 01:58:01,779
Sir Edward?

2020
01:58:01,780 --> 01:58:04,229
<i>But...
telephones, you know?</i>

2021
01:58:04,230 --> 01:58:08,229
<i>Things get scrambled, don't they?
And, therefore, last night...</i>

2022
01:58:08,230 --> 01:58:09,609
To England.

2023
01:58:09,610 --> 01:58:12,269
<i>..the Kaiser gratefully accepted
a peace plan from London</i>

2024
01:58:12,270 --> 01:58:14,769
<i>that didn't actually exist.</i>

2025
01:58:14,770 --> 01:58:17,460
<i>Hence the misunderstanding.</i>

2026
01:58:18,900 --> 01:58:21,879
<i>I won't deny it, there was a little
bit of panic here</i>

2027
01:58:21,880 --> 01:58:23,189
<i>in the Foreign Office,</i>

2028
01:58:23,190 --> 01:58:25,649
<i>not least because the
morning papers were reporting</i>

2029
01:58:25,650 --> 01:58:29,929
<i>that a torrent of capital and gold
had flowed out of the country</i>

2030
01:58:29,930 --> 01:58:31,319
<i>over the last few days.</i>

2031
01:58:31,320 --> 01:58:32,860
Chin up, Muriel.

2032
01:58:35,220 --> 01:58:37,209
Come on, everyone.
Busy day.

2033
01:58:37,210 --> 01:58:39,829
<i>And that's why the Governor
of the Bank of England,</i>

2034
01:58:39,830 --> 01:58:41,139
<i>Sir Walter Cunliffe...</i>

2035
01:58:41,140 --> 01:58:43,469
-Crowe.
-Good to see you again.

2036
01:58:43,470 --> 01:58:45,229
<i>..along with Lloyd George,
the Chancellor,</i>

2037
01:58:45,230 --> 01:58:47,509
<i>had come to the Foreign Office
to persuade Sir Edward</i>

2038
01:58:47,510 --> 01:58:49,739
<i>that it would be fatal
to join the fray.</i>

2039
01:58:49,740 --> 01:58:54,219
It's important the Foreign Secretary
knows that if he gets us involved

2040
01:58:54,220 --> 01:58:58,559
in a continental war,
it will wreck the British economy.

2041
01:58:58,560 --> 01:59:02,189
There will be a degree of
commercial disruption, of course.

2042
01:59:02,190 --> 01:59:06,159
-The economy will be wrecked.
-That's your opinion.

2043
01:59:06,160 --> 01:59:10,149
It's the opinion of the Bank of
England. And the whole of the City.

2044
01:59:10,150 --> 01:59:12,799
There, David.
The whole of the City!

2045
01:59:12,800 --> 01:59:16,649
Over £1 million worth of gold
left London on Thursday!

2046
01:59:16,650 --> 01:59:18,019
To be fair, Walter,

2047
01:59:18,020 --> 01:59:22,289
that's the German financial
houses repatriating their capital.

2048
01:59:22,290 --> 01:59:24,399
But we are vulnerable to that.

2049
01:59:24,400 --> 01:59:27,479
This is the whole point,
we are a trading nation.

2050
01:59:27,480 --> 01:59:29,739
-We are?
-Our best policy

2051
01:59:29,740 --> 01:59:33,619
would be to let the French and
Germans go to war, if they need to.

2052
01:59:33,620 --> 01:59:34,929
We could stay out

2053
01:59:34,930 --> 01:59:37,049
and be the honest broker,
literally.

2054
01:59:37,050 --> 01:59:40,709
You want us to be the honest broker?

2055
01:59:40,710 --> 01:59:42,919
You're making it sound like a crime,
Sir Edward.

2056
01:59:42,920 --> 01:59:45,789
Do you know Eyre Crowe here?
Yes, of course you do.

2057
01:59:45,790 --> 01:59:50,189
So you know he's an exceptionally
knowledgeable fellow,

2058
01:59:50,190 --> 01:59:54,119
and he tells me that in the entire
history of mankind,

2059
01:59:54,120 --> 01:59:57,609
there is not a single instance

2060
01:59:57,610 --> 02:00:00,559
where financiers have not panicked

2061
02:00:00,560 --> 02:00:03,659
at the prospect of a war.
Isn't that so, Crowe?

2062
02:00:03,660 --> 02:00:06,659
The Peloponnesian War...

2063
02:00:06,660 --> 02:00:08,879
Yes, apart from
the Peloponnesian War.

2064
02:00:08,880 --> 02:00:13,599
So, you see, Sir Walter,
I have this odd situation.

2065
02:00:13,600 --> 02:00:15,509
Up in Trafalgar Square right now,

2066
02:00:15,510 --> 02:00:18,169
I'm being told by Keir
Hardie and the Socialists

2067
02:00:18,170 --> 02:00:22,050
that a European war
would mark the end of civilisation.

2068
02:00:22,390 --> 02:00:23,929
And here...

2069
02:00:23,930 --> 02:00:27,259
I have a great banker
of Threadneedle Street

2070
02:00:27,260 --> 02:00:30,399
-telling me the same thing.
-I didn't mention civilisation.

2071
02:00:30,400 --> 02:00:32,049
True enough, you didn't.

2072
02:00:32,050 --> 02:00:35,239
I suppose that's where the Socialists
have the moral edge.

2073
02:00:35,240 --> 02:00:38,029
But I am not a hopeless
dreamer like they are,

2074
02:00:38,030 --> 02:00:41,289
so, excuse me
if I take offence at that.

2075
02:00:41,290 --> 02:00:45,459
I am giving you some
practical common sense.

2076
02:00:45,460 --> 02:00:48,099
So,
you'd like me to announce

2077
02:00:48,100 --> 02:00:52,789
to the world that Great Britain
can't afford to fight?

2078
02:00:52,790 --> 02:00:54,649
That's your common sense?

2079
02:00:54,650 --> 02:00:58,379
-Now you're twisting...
-Nothing would more readily put an end

2080
02:00:58,380 --> 02:01:03,060
to our great power status
than me saying that.

2081
02:01:10,900 --> 02:01:13,080
Have you ever seen Keir Hardie?

2082
02:01:14,460 --> 02:01:17,060
Are you asking me
because I'm Scottish?

2083
02:01:21,380 --> 02:01:23,859
No, I saw him once
when I was a wee boy.

2084
02:01:23,860 --> 02:01:26,859
My father took me to see him
speak in Kirkcudbright.

2085
02:01:26,860 --> 02:01:28,650
Is your father a socialist?

2086
02:01:29,020 --> 02:01:33,080
You'll have to ask him yourself,
Muriel.

2087
02:01:37,100 --> 02:01:38,929
<i>Of course, in Britain,</i>

2088
02:01:38,930 --> 02:01:42,030
<i>the socialist movement
was very small, still.</i>

2089
02:01:42,740 --> 02:01:45,270
<i>But that wasn't true
here in Germany.</i>

2090
02:01:47,590 --> 02:01:49,099
<i>Here they counted.</i>

2091
02:01:49,100 --> 02:01:51,639
The Chancellor is running
a little late this morning.

2092
02:01:51,640 --> 02:01:54,589
-I could organise some refreshments.
-No, thank you.

2093
02:01:54,590 --> 02:01:56,710
<i>They had power in the Reichstag.</i>

2094
02:01:57,380 --> 02:02:00,309
<i>If the socialist deputies
decide to vote against</i>

2095
02:02:00,310 --> 02:02:03,099
<i>the Imperial War Budget,
well, there'll be no war</i>

2096
02:02:03,100 --> 02:02:05,189
<i>because there'll be
no money to fight one.</i>

2097
02:02:05,190 --> 02:02:08,110
Why don't you just arrest
all these Socialists?

2098
02:02:08,910 --> 02:02:10,399
The Kaiser wouldn't mind.

2099
02:02:10,400 --> 02:02:13,469
The Kaiser has personally
never met a socialist,

2100
02:02:13,470 --> 02:02:15,829
which is a miraculous thing
in itself,

2101
02:02:15,830 --> 02:02:19,359
given that there are six million
of them in this country.

2102
02:02:19,360 --> 02:02:21,879
-Even so.
-Even so?

2103
02:02:21,880 --> 02:02:23,729
Remove their leaders
and the rest will do

2104
02:02:23,730 --> 02:02:25,380
as you want them to do.

2105
02:02:25,710 --> 02:02:27,539
The days of running Germany

2106
02:02:27,540 --> 02:02:30,509
like a house of correction
are over, Moltke.

2107
02:02:30,510 --> 02:02:32,719
These men outside are not our slaves.

2108
02:02:32,720 --> 02:02:34,219
They're the cream of their class,

2109
02:02:34,220 --> 02:02:36,779
and, as inconceivable
as you may find it,

2110
02:02:36,780 --> 02:02:39,939
they will vote for your war
credits if you reason with them.

2111
02:02:39,940 --> 02:02:41,240
I doubt it.

2112
02:02:41,700 --> 02:02:45,439
They fear and detest the Tsar,
as all their kind do.

2113
02:02:45,440 --> 02:02:47,519
But they are not German patriots.

2114
02:02:47,520 --> 02:02:49,119
They will be

2115
02:02:49,120 --> 02:02:51,120
when you tell them
about the Cossacks.

2116
02:02:52,060 --> 02:02:54,740
Half of them are Jewish, after all.

2117
02:02:58,580 --> 02:03:02,379
Tell me,
because I really don't understand.

2118
02:03:02,380 --> 02:03:03,979
Tell you what?

2119
02:03:03,980 --> 02:03:06,389
I know you don't want
a war with France.

2120
02:03:06,390 --> 02:03:08,789
You could use these socialists
to stop one.

2121
02:03:08,790 --> 02:03:10,590
Why don't you?

2122
02:03:12,500 --> 02:03:15,960
Because the cure
would be worse than the disease.

2123
02:03:16,420 --> 02:03:19,119
Can you imagine what would happen
to Imperial Germany -

2124
02:03:19,120 --> 02:03:20,739
to me, not just you -

2125
02:03:20,740 --> 02:03:24,549
if word got out that
the Socialist Democratic Party

2126
02:03:24,550 --> 02:03:27,660
had a veto on our ability
to make war?

2127
02:03:29,220 --> 02:03:32,619
I hate them, every bit as much
as you hate them.

2128
02:03:32,620 --> 02:03:34,529
More, probably, because I know them.

2129
02:03:34,530 --> 02:03:38,950
They are disloyal, they are selfish,
and they are dangerous.

2130
02:03:39,860 --> 02:03:41,680
But a war will tame them.

2131
02:03:42,450 --> 02:03:44,259
Eventually, with some luck,

2132
02:03:44,260 --> 02:03:48,130
it will exterminate socialism
in Germany forever.

2133
02:03:53,000 --> 02:03:55,690
Thank you so much
for coming, gentlemen.

2134
02:04:10,100 --> 02:04:11,529
Ambassador.

2135
02:04:11,530 --> 02:04:15,039
How many of your countrymen
know that you secretly

2136
02:04:15,040 --> 02:04:16,559
committed them to defending
the French channel ports

2137
02:04:16,560 --> 02:04:18,520
from naval attack by Germany?

2138
02:04:24,100 --> 02:04:26,550
What you have there is, of course,

2139
02:04:27,740 --> 02:04:30,549
rather awkward for me
at the present moment.

2140
02:04:30,550 --> 02:04:31,859
Yes, it is.

2141
02:04:31,860 --> 02:04:35,529
But it is in no sense
a binding contract.

2142
02:04:35,530 --> 02:04:38,679
Just an informal arrangement
we once had.

2143
02:04:38,680 --> 02:04:41,199
An informal arrangement we once had?

2144
02:04:41,200 --> 02:04:45,729
I cannot go one inch beyond
what the Cabinet authorises.

2145
02:04:45,730 --> 02:04:49,259
If I do, I am gone,
and that document means nothing.

2146
02:04:49,260 --> 02:04:52,249
If you do not act
on our confidential agreement,

2147
02:04:52,250 --> 02:04:56,169
you will have the German Navy
in the English Channel
by the end of the week.

2148
02:04:56,170 --> 02:04:57,859
And you will have to explain
to your people

2149
02:04:57,860 --> 02:05:00,610
why there is no French Navy there
to oppose them.

2150
02:05:05,300 --> 02:05:08,750
In 20 minutes,
there is a meeting of the Cabinet.

2151
02:05:09,430 --> 02:05:11,879
I will endeavour to describe...

2152
02:05:11,880 --> 02:05:15,300
-Your obligation to France.
-..the French predicament.

2153
02:05:35,420 --> 02:05:37,729
They've just voted.

2154
02:05:37,730 --> 02:05:39,580
We have a majority...

2155
02:05:40,980 --> 02:05:43,980
..in favour of the war credits.

2156
02:05:48,840 --> 02:05:50,149
Madness.

2157
02:05:50,150 --> 02:05:51,650
They could have saved us.

2158
02:06:06,860 --> 02:06:08,949
-John.
-Winston.

2159
02:06:08,950 --> 02:06:10,459
Lord Morley.

2160
02:06:10,460 --> 02:06:14,220
What bombs are you young gentlemen
going to throw at us today?

2161
02:06:16,140 --> 02:06:19,609
<i>When you think of the great Cabinet
meetings of the 20th century,</i>

2162
02:06:19,610 --> 02:06:22,540
<i>those that have been,
those which are yet to come,</i>

2163
02:06:22,950 --> 02:06:24,529
<i>can there ever have been one</i>

2164
02:06:24,530 --> 02:06:26,770
<i>so fraught with
meaning as this one?</i>

2165
02:06:28,100 --> 02:06:31,509
<i>Viscount Morley
had first seen office in 1886</i>

2166
02:06:31,510 --> 02:06:33,899
<i>under his hero,
William Gladstone.</i>

2167
02:06:33,900 --> 02:06:36,509
<i>And because he opposed anything
which strengthened the state</i>

2168
02:06:36,510 --> 02:06:39,120
<i>against the individual,
he opposed war.</i>

2169
02:06:39,730 --> 02:06:42,850
<i>So did John Burns,
on pacifist grounds.</i>

2170
02:06:43,380 --> 02:06:46,539
<i>Burns, hero of
the London Dock strike of '89,</i>

2171
02:06:46,540 --> 02:06:50,529
<i>was the first working man ever to
take a seat at the Cabinet table.</i>

2172
02:06:50,530 --> 02:06:51,889
<i>Was he conscious of the fact?</i>

2173
02:06:51,890 --> 02:06:53,329
So, I told him,

2174
02:06:53,330 --> 02:06:56,389
"I'm not the decorator,
I am a legislator."

2175
02:06:56,390 --> 02:06:58,580
<i>Was he conscious of anything else?</i>

2176
02:06:59,940 --> 02:07:03,509
<i>And then there was
David Lloyd George.</i>

2177
02:07:03,510 --> 02:07:05,499
<i>Lloyd George was the prize.</i>

2178
02:07:05,500 --> 02:07:07,379
Did you get any sense this morning

2179
02:07:07,380 --> 02:07:09,149
of which way David is moving?

2180
02:07:09,150 --> 02:07:10,459
None at all.

2181
02:07:10,460 --> 02:07:13,029
A man who made his name
opposing our last war

2182
02:07:13,030 --> 02:07:15,089
<i>against the Boers in South Africa.</i>

2183
02:07:15,090 --> 02:07:18,709
We want to play this carefully.
We don't want to antagonise him.

2184
02:07:18,710 --> 02:07:22,900
<i>He was a politician who was loved
by millions of people.</i>

2185
02:07:23,310 --> 02:07:27,349
We have, as you know, because I have
never concealed this

2186
02:07:27,350 --> 02:07:30,419
from the Cabinet, certain
obligations towards our French ally.

2187
02:07:30,420 --> 02:07:33,549
Now, these obligations
do not commit us to war

2188
02:07:33,550 --> 02:07:37,949
simply because one of the parties to the
agreement has taken up arms.

2189
02:07:37,950 --> 02:07:41,700
Should France, say, find itself in
a war with Spain,

2190
02:07:42,030 --> 02:07:43,979
we would not be obliged to follow.

2191
02:07:43,980 --> 02:07:46,869
Do not treat us like
fools, Sir Edward.

2192
02:07:46,870 --> 02:07:48,429
You can say Germany.

2193
02:07:48,430 --> 02:07:51,359
Yes, yes, well, in this specific
instance, of course

2194
02:07:51,360 --> 02:07:52,769
we're talking about Germany.

2195
02:07:52,770 --> 02:07:54,119
But my general point

2196
02:07:54,120 --> 02:07:57,109
is that Parliament
need not be fettered

2197
02:07:57,110 --> 02:08:00,779
by a clause in a treaty
she had no hand in making.

2198
02:08:00,780 --> 02:08:02,539
-And nor will it.
-Hear, hear.

2199
02:08:02,540 --> 02:08:04,709
But I will tell this Cabinet now,

2200
02:08:04,710 --> 02:08:08,149
because now for the first time
it has become relevant,

2201
02:08:08,150 --> 02:08:12,029
that our 1912 agreement
with France...

2202
02:08:12,030 --> 02:08:14,669
-1904.
-No, Chancellor,

2203
02:08:14,670 --> 02:08:19,270
the Foreign Secretary is
referring to its renewal in 1912.

2204
02:08:20,100 --> 02:08:23,779
It was minuted at the time
and mentioned in this room.

2205
02:08:23,780 --> 02:08:29,499
The 1912 renewal is a document
I drew up with Monsieur Cambon,

2206
02:08:29,500 --> 02:08:34,279
which allowed us to divide certain
operational responsibilities

2207
02:08:34,280 --> 02:08:36,589
between the French and Royal Navies.

2208
02:08:36,590 --> 02:08:40,329
In this agreement, the French
were assigned the Mediterranean,

2209
02:08:40,330 --> 02:08:42,379
and we agreed to secure the Channel.

2210
02:08:42,380 --> 02:08:47,159
The advantage of this agreement
is obvious, but the disadvantage,

2211
02:08:47,160 --> 02:08:50,159
as Monsieur Cambon is now very
anxious to point out,

2212
02:08:50,160 --> 02:08:54,809
is that it leaves the Atlantic
and Channel coasts of France

2213
02:08:54,810 --> 02:08:58,019
completely unprotected
by battleships.

2214
02:08:58,020 --> 02:09:03,380
Or would do so if we failed
to join in a war

2215
02:09:03,790 --> 02:09:06,059
that Germany was waging on France.

2216
02:09:06,060 --> 02:09:10,079
You mean the French are relying
on us to protect their ports?

2217
02:09:10,080 --> 02:09:11,610
In a sense, yes.

2218
02:09:12,780 --> 02:09:15,970
There's no escaping it.
It is an unfortunate situation.

2219
02:09:16,430 --> 02:09:17,739
Our agreement with France

2220
02:09:17,740 --> 02:09:20,379
has all the obligations
of a formal alliance.

2221
02:09:20,380 --> 02:09:22,599
-No, it doesn't!
-But it does, gentlemen.

2222
02:09:22,600 --> 02:09:26,009
-Think of it from the point of honour.
-Edward Grey's honour! Not ours!

2223
02:09:26,010 --> 02:09:28,159
I hope they are the same.

2224
02:09:28,160 --> 02:09:31,079
The French agreement has all the
obligations of a formal alliance,

2225
02:09:31,080 --> 02:09:34,549
but none of its advantages.
That is to say it contains no deterrent

2226
02:09:34,550 --> 02:09:37,489
to any power thinking
of attacking France.

2227
02:09:37,490 --> 02:09:39,599
How could it?
The agreement was secret.

2228
02:09:39,600 --> 02:09:42,469
If only the Germans had known
about this promise of yours

2229
02:09:42,470 --> 02:09:45,259
-to Ambassador Cambon!
-They probably do.

2230
02:09:45,260 --> 02:09:47,379
It's just us poor devils that have
been kept in the dark.

2231
02:09:47,380 --> 02:09:49,869
Well, in fairness we've done well
out of the agreement, too.

2232
02:09:49,870 --> 02:09:51,499
It certainly doesn't feel that way.

2233
02:09:51,500 --> 02:09:55,069
Oh, it has released us from having
to patrol the Mediterranean, David.

2234
02:09:55,070 --> 02:09:56,419
No, the PM is right.

2235
02:09:56,420 --> 02:09:59,179
I could have asked for money
for more dreadnoughts to patrol

2236
02:09:59,180 --> 02:10:00,979
-the Mediterranean ourselves...
-Hear, hear.

2237
02:10:00,980 --> 02:10:03,739
..and not leave it to the French,
but I know what John Burns here

2238
02:10:03,740 --> 02:10:05,329
-would have said to that.
-I know your game.

2239
02:10:05,330 --> 02:10:06,639
You can't play it, though.

2240
02:10:06,640 --> 02:10:09,559
Since Sir Edward
has been Foreign Secretary

2241
02:10:09,560 --> 02:10:13,949
he has assured Parliament on several
occasions that this government

2242
02:10:13,950 --> 02:10:17,629
has incurred no firm
commitments to France.

2243
02:10:17,630 --> 02:10:20,669
Indeed he has been proud,
as we all have,

2244
02:10:20,670 --> 02:10:22,879
that Great Britain has
avoided those entanglements

2245
02:10:22,880 --> 02:10:25,449
with foreign powers
which could lead us,

2246
02:10:25,450 --> 02:10:27,729
almost blind-folded,
into war.

2247
02:10:27,730 --> 02:10:29,689
Now he appears to be telling us

2248
02:10:29,690 --> 02:10:32,579
that we do not possess
the full liberty

2249
02:10:32,580 --> 02:10:34,789
of our own
decision-making after all,

2250
02:10:34,790 --> 02:10:36,659
and that is a very serious thing.

2251
02:10:36,660 --> 02:10:39,109
One could almost say
he has misled us.

2252
02:10:39,110 --> 02:10:40,949
You have misled yourselves.

2253
02:10:40,950 --> 02:10:43,419
You all knew where the Anglo-French
agreement was heading

2254
02:10:43,420 --> 02:10:46,109
but none of you opened a
conversation around this table.

2255
02:10:46,110 --> 02:10:47,709
You did not want to know

2256
02:10:47,710 --> 02:10:49,989
because you did not
want the responsibility.

2257
02:10:49,990 --> 02:10:51,929
You left Sir Edward
with all of that,

2258
02:10:51,930 --> 02:10:54,159
which might be called good judgment,

2259
02:10:54,160 --> 02:10:56,509
but to bemoan it now
is a kind of cowardice.

2260
02:10:56,510 --> 02:10:57,819
How dare you!

2261
02:10:57,820 --> 02:10:59,979
Some of what Winston
says may be true.

2262
02:10:59,980 --> 02:11:03,069
Even a blunderbuss does
occasionally hit its target.

2263
02:11:03,070 --> 02:11:05,579
But that does not answer
the wider question

2264
02:11:05,580 --> 02:11:07,469
of why we should follow France

2265
02:11:07,470 --> 02:11:10,739
into a war brought about
because her Russian allies

2266
02:11:10,740 --> 02:11:13,219
decided to mobilise its entire army

2267
02:11:13,220 --> 02:11:16,279
against such feeble Austrian
opposition of all things.

2268
02:11:16,280 --> 02:11:17,909
There's no sense of
proportion there.

2269
02:11:17,910 --> 02:11:20,219
The boy bloody scouts could defeat
the Austrian army.

2270
02:11:20,220 --> 02:11:23,079
-That's a ridiculous comment.
-No, well, John comes from Battersea

2271
02:11:23,080 --> 02:11:25,659
and they have some pretty ferocious
boy scouts down there.

2272
02:11:25,660 --> 02:11:27,169
But Russia?
Gentlemen,

2273
02:11:27,170 --> 02:11:30,549
please, are we to be led
into a war by the Tsar?

2274
02:11:30,550 --> 02:11:33,039
Let us not forget we are
talking about the land

2275
02:11:33,040 --> 02:11:35,959
of the pogrom of the Siberian exile.

2276
02:11:35,960 --> 02:11:37,269
-It's rhetoric.
-Rhetoric!

2277
02:11:37,270 --> 02:11:41,609
10 days ago, over
100 working men were cut down

2278
02:11:41,610 --> 02:11:43,429
on the streets of St Petersburg

2279
02:11:43,430 --> 02:11:46,129
for the crime of
joining a trade union.

2280
02:11:46,130 --> 02:11:47,859
Wouldn't you be better off
in Trafalgar Square

2281
02:11:47,860 --> 02:11:50,249
with the Labour lot,
howling this rot

2282
02:11:50,250 --> 02:11:51,869
from an upturned soap box?

2283
02:11:51,870 --> 02:11:54,029
You should get back
to the Tory party.

2284
02:11:54,030 --> 02:11:55,820
That is quite enough!

2285
02:11:56,820 --> 02:11:59,900
We are here to talk about
the French predicament.

2286
02:12:01,180 --> 02:12:04,579
And what this government
intends to do about it.

2287
02:12:04,580 --> 02:12:06,629
I will say this, Prime Minister -

2288
02:12:06,630 --> 02:12:09,929
I will accept some of
the Cabinet's misgivings

2289
02:12:09,930 --> 02:12:13,300
about the way the French
negotiations have been handled...

2290
02:12:14,780 --> 02:12:17,219
..by me.
They were done
in good faith,

2291
02:12:17,220 --> 02:12:22,259
I assure you, but I will resign
from the Cabinet this afternoon

2292
02:12:22,260 --> 02:12:26,059
if it prevents me from
signalling Britain's intentions

2293
02:12:26,060 --> 02:12:28,419
to protect French ports

2294
02:12:28,420 --> 02:12:31,720
in the event of a German
naval attack on the Channel.

2295
02:12:32,300 --> 02:12:36,589
If that happens, this government
will be at an end.

2296
02:12:36,590 --> 02:12:37,899
Why?

2297
02:12:37,900 --> 02:12:41,399
Because I, and I suspect some
others, will resign with him.

2298
02:12:41,400 --> 02:12:43,939
And then you'll have the Tories in.

2299
02:12:43,940 --> 02:12:47,179
Rubbish. They'll too busy
gunrunning to Ulster.

2300
02:12:47,180 --> 02:12:50,110
No, John, I assure you they will
be able to form a government

2301
02:12:50,550 --> 02:12:53,789
and they will have no qualms
about taking this country

2302
02:12:53,790 --> 02:12:56,599
-into a European war.
-With conscription.

2303
02:12:56,600 --> 02:12:58,259
Those are the stakes,
gentlemen.

2304
02:12:58,260 --> 02:13:01,750
Please think upon them
when you answer this question.

2305
02:13:04,100 --> 02:13:06,910
Does Sir Edward have your
authorisation

2306
02:13:07,750 --> 02:13:09,520
to inform Monsieur Cambon

2307
02:13:10,330 --> 02:13:14,090
that we will honour our naval
agreement with the French?

2308
02:13:17,220 --> 02:13:18,880
Those who say yes?

2309
02:13:25,340 --> 02:13:26,880
Those who say no?

2310
02:13:31,980 --> 02:13:34,500
And one abstention.

2311
02:13:37,380 --> 02:13:40,910
Sir Edward, you may proceed.

2312
02:13:41,660 --> 02:13:43,680
In that case, Prime Minister,

2313
02:13:45,940 --> 02:13:49,060
I tender my resignation.

2314
02:13:52,300 --> 02:13:54,109
I implore you to reconsider, John.

2315
02:13:54,110 --> 02:13:57,599
I'm from the people, Edward,
and I must speak for them

2316
02:13:57,600 --> 02:14:00,009
because their voices
are never heard

2317
02:14:00,010 --> 02:14:02,109
in the counsels of government.

2318
02:14:02,110 --> 02:14:03,769
That is why you should stay with us.

2319
02:14:03,770 --> 02:14:06,129
But the people don't want war.

2320
02:14:06,130 --> 02:14:09,019
That's why I'm having no part
in taking us into one.

2321
02:14:09,020 --> 02:14:11,379
But most people aren't like you.

2322
02:14:11,380 --> 02:14:12,980
They're more like Winston.

2323
02:14:14,260 --> 02:14:15,920
I don't think that's true.

2324
02:14:17,340 --> 02:14:19,250
But it's a pity if it is.

2325
02:14:22,500 --> 02:14:24,359
Well, it's held for now, Edward,

2326
02:14:24,360 --> 02:14:27,259
but if we push them any further
the Cabinet will divide.

2327
02:14:27,260 --> 02:14:28,560
I know.

2328
02:14:28,950 --> 02:14:31,600
And if that happens
the nation will divide, too.

2329
02:14:38,940 --> 02:14:40,709
What are you going to David?

2330
02:14:40,710 --> 02:14:42,770
You're the most
important man amongst us.

2331
02:14:43,280 --> 02:14:44,739
No, you are.

2332
02:14:44,740 --> 02:14:47,229
The millions of our fellow countrymen
who wait to hear

2333
02:14:47,230 --> 02:14:50,440
what David Lloyd George says before
they make up their own minds.

2334
02:14:51,340 --> 02:14:53,950
-I don't yet know.
-You will have to decide,

2335
02:14:54,490 --> 02:14:55,790
and quickly.

2336
02:14:56,160 --> 02:14:59,489
I'm not sure I have the stomach
for another peace campaign.

2337
02:14:59,490 --> 02:15:01,869
No-one will ask you to mount
those platforms again.

2338
02:15:01,870 --> 02:15:03,679
You did your bit over South Africa,

2339
02:15:03,680 --> 02:15:05,779
let the younger men take up
the burden this time.

2340
02:15:05,780 --> 02:15:08,709
But I tell you this, it will be a
glorious thing for them

2341
02:15:08,710 --> 02:15:11,980
to know that Lloyd
George is on their side.

2342
02:15:12,660 --> 02:15:16,430
We have been mislead, David.
The whole country has.

2343
02:15:17,700 --> 02:15:19,119
It certainly looks that way.

2344
02:15:19,120 --> 02:15:21,079
Grey has run this
nation's foreign policy

2345
02:15:21,080 --> 02:15:23,129
without a single
reference to parliament,

2346
02:15:23,130 --> 02:15:26,850
and now he expects us to
pull his chestnuts out of the fire.

2347
02:15:31,980 --> 02:15:34,520
I will likely resign
from the government...

2348
02:15:35,430 --> 02:15:37,370
if we enter this war.

2349
02:15:47,460 --> 02:15:49,600
Is the Fatherland in danger?

2350
02:15:50,190 --> 02:15:51,490
It is.

2351
02:15:51,980 --> 02:15:55,109
-Can we fight on two fronts?
-Easier than on one.

2352
02:15:55,110 --> 02:15:56,459
Say that again.

2353
02:15:56,460 --> 02:15:59,399
It is easier for us to fight
on two fronts than on one.

2354
02:15:59,400 --> 02:16:01,659
This is what I hate in you, Moltke,
your sophistry.

2355
02:16:01,660 --> 02:16:03,590
Keep it simple, Moltke, hm?

2356
02:16:03,900 --> 02:16:05,959
If we fight on one front
against Russia,

2357
02:16:05,960 --> 02:16:08,510
we must improvise and
that is always bad.

2358
02:16:08,820 --> 02:16:12,040
And all the time we will be watching
over our shoulder for France.

2359
02:16:12,350 --> 02:16:13,980
If we fight on two fronts,

2360
02:16:14,660 --> 02:16:17,519
we enact a plan we have been
working on for nine years.

2361
02:16:17,520 --> 02:16:19,500
The Schlieffen Plan.

2362
02:16:20,070 --> 02:16:21,370
Yes.

2363
02:16:21,860 --> 02:16:24,059
I thought the dust
had settled on that.

2364
02:16:24,060 --> 02:16:25,750
We just keep blowing it away.

2365
02:16:25,760 --> 02:16:29,019
The Schlieffen Plan is always
being updated, Your Majesty.

2366
02:16:29,020 --> 02:16:31,719
90% of our army will be
thrown at France,

2367
02:16:31,720 --> 02:16:33,619
according to a strict timetable,

2368
02:16:33,620 --> 02:16:36,789
while the rest hold the
Russians off, a relatively easy task

2369
02:16:36,790 --> 02:16:38,889
in the first six weeks of war.

2370
02:16:38,890 --> 02:16:41,109
-Six weeks?
-Yes, six weeks.

2371
02:16:41,110 --> 02:16:43,289
The time it will take
to knock out France.

2372
02:16:43,290 --> 02:16:46,869
Then everything will be turned
towards Russia.

2373
02:16:46,870 --> 02:16:48,559
The trains have
already been ordered.

2374
02:16:48,560 --> 02:16:51,139
Six weeks to defeat France?

2375
02:16:51,140 --> 02:16:53,459
Our scouting parties
will first see Paris

2376
02:16:53,460 --> 02:16:55,900
40 days into the war.

2377
02:16:57,180 --> 02:16:59,470
Imagine those fortunate few.

2378
02:17:04,700 --> 02:17:06,510
I know what you're
going to say next.

2379
02:17:07,340 --> 02:17:09,269
You're planning to go through
Belgium.

2380
02:17:09,270 --> 02:17:10,859
Isn't that so?

2381
02:17:10,860 --> 02:17:13,200
-A lovely idea, Your Majesty.
-Lovely?

2382
02:17:14,120 --> 02:17:15,429
Your Majesty,

2383
02:17:15,430 --> 02:17:17,919
the great powers guarantee
Belgium independence

2384
02:17:17,920 --> 02:17:20,629
not because we love each other,
but because we fear each other.

2385
02:17:20,630 --> 02:17:22,540
-That's natural, of course.
-Natural?

2386
02:17:22,850 --> 02:17:24,150
It's also efficient.

2387
02:17:24,520 --> 02:17:26,539
Respecting Belgian neutrality

2388
02:17:26,540 --> 02:17:29,059
is what keeps us and the French
from garrotting each other.

2389
02:17:29,060 --> 02:17:32,499
And I am custodian of a treaty
with the King of Belgium.

2390
02:17:32,500 --> 02:17:34,489
Which, tragically,
you shall have to break.

2391
02:17:34,490 --> 02:17:37,619
Either Belgium steps aside
or she is annihilated.

2392
02:17:37,620 --> 02:17:39,529
Or,
we keep our treaty with Belgium

2393
02:17:39,530 --> 02:17:41,960
and expose Germany
to annihilation.

2394
02:17:43,020 --> 02:17:45,590
Success alone will justify
what we do.

2395
02:17:47,260 --> 02:17:49,609
How would we begin to explain

2396
02:17:49,610 --> 02:17:52,550
our violation of
Belgian independence?

2397
02:17:53,260 --> 02:17:56,140
Something has already
been arranged on that.

2398
02:17:59,260 --> 02:18:03,499
<i>Five days before, our ambassador
in Brussels had received</i>

2399
02:18:03,500 --> 02:18:06,000
<i>a mysterious package from Berlin.</i>

2400
02:18:07,020 --> 02:18:10,979
<i>"Do not open this telegram",
an accompanying note said,</i>

2401
02:18:10,980 --> 02:18:16,070
<i>"and only open it if, and when, you receive
a further instruction from Berlin."</i>

2402
02:18:16,780 --> 02:18:18,890
Can you get me a whiskey, please?

2403
02:18:48,220 --> 02:18:52,029
They have all been considerably
lengthened in the last five years.

2404
02:18:52,030 --> 02:18:55,700
I'm sorry. Are you finishing a
conversation with someone else

2405
02:18:56,710 --> 02:18:58,019
or starting one with me?

2406
02:18:58,020 --> 02:19:00,459
Those north-western German
railway platforms

2407
02:19:00,460 --> 02:19:03,949
-that you mentioned this morning.
-I mentioned those to you?

2408
02:19:03,950 --> 02:19:05,829
Well, you were thinking out loud,
I was there.

2409
02:19:05,830 --> 02:19:07,659
So, I asked a friend
at the Board of Trade

2410
02:19:07,660 --> 02:19:09,260
to check his files.

2411
02:19:10,300 --> 02:19:13,680
The station platforms at Dueren
are now half a mile long.

2412
02:19:15,540 --> 02:19:17,849
That's an awful lot of
German holidaymakers

2413
02:19:17,850 --> 02:19:20,700
suddenly very keen to see the delights of Belgium.

2414
02:19:21,540 --> 02:19:23,019
Well Done.

2415
02:19:23,020 --> 02:19:24,320
Belgium.

2416
02:19:25,620 --> 02:19:27,390
Prepare for the deluge.

2417
02:19:30,940 --> 02:19:34,100
We have guaranteed
Belgium's neutrality.

2418
02:19:34,610 --> 02:19:35,910
Well done.

2419
02:19:37,020 --> 02:19:39,550
In perpetuity with Britain
and France.

2420
02:19:39,860 --> 02:19:42,989
Haven't you seen how
things are working here?

2421
02:19:42,990 --> 02:19:46,140
That treaty is just
a scrap of paper.

2422
02:19:50,020 --> 02:19:53,530
<i>The last ever battle in history
to be fought in Belgium</i>

2423
02:19:54,020 --> 02:19:55,720
<i>would be Waterloo.</i>

2424
02:19:57,260 --> 02:19:59,929
<i>That was the epic idea
contained in the treaty</i>

2425
02:19:59,930 --> 02:20:02,790
<i>signed by the Great Powers
in 1839.</i>

2426
02:20:08,200 --> 02:20:10,089
<i>But, evidently,</i>

2427
02:20:10,090 --> 02:20:13,699
<i>it was not an idea that meant
much to General Moltke.</i>

2428
02:20:13,700 --> 02:20:15,280
Now is the time!

2429
02:20:25,340 --> 02:20:27,290
-Sir Edward.
-I know.

2430
02:20:27,820 --> 02:20:30,699
Yes, the German ambassador
arrived some time ago.

2431
02:20:30,700 --> 02:20:32,779
And the French ambassador
is also here.

2432
02:20:32,780 --> 02:20:34,399
-Any more?
-And I must

2433
02:20:34,400 --> 02:20:37,050
-have a moment with you also.
-Later.

2434
02:20:38,420 --> 02:20:41,189
Sir Edward, forgive me
for barging in like this, but...

2435
02:20:41,190 --> 02:20:43,120
Yes, indeed.
Unexpected.

2436
02:20:44,460 --> 02:20:47,689
I do apologise,
Prince Lichnowsky,

2437
02:20:47,690 --> 02:20:51,319
but I feel I should
fulfil my appointment

2438
02:20:51,320 --> 02:20:53,420
with the French ambassador.

2439
02:21:08,700 --> 02:21:10,920
You've done the right thing.

2440
02:21:11,900 --> 02:21:15,339
And what of a British
expeditionary force?

2441
02:21:15,340 --> 02:21:18,089
Just two divisions on their way
to France

2442
02:21:18,090 --> 02:21:20,149
would have a tremendous
moral effect

2443
02:21:20,150 --> 02:21:21,559
-on our people.
-Paul!

2444
02:21:21,560 --> 02:21:23,509
And a deterrent effect
on Germany too.

2445
02:21:23,510 --> 02:21:25,369
Yeah, I know that's
not a serious suggestion.

2446
02:21:25,370 --> 02:21:26,679
But it is.

2447
02:21:26,680 --> 02:21:31,619
Germany will declare war
on France in the next 24 hours.

2448
02:21:31,620 --> 02:21:33,340
All France knows it.

2449
02:21:34,380 --> 02:21:37,359
The one thing that might stop them
is you.

2450
02:21:37,360 --> 02:21:40,169
You credit Britain
with too much power, Paul,

2451
02:21:40,170 --> 02:21:42,269
and it has made you irresponsible.

2452
02:21:42,270 --> 02:21:45,110
It is you who can stop it.

2453
02:21:45,820 --> 02:21:47,420
You alone.

2454
02:21:48,380 --> 02:21:49,920
The power is yours.

2455
02:22:22,510 --> 02:22:24,119
Whom did I say was next?

2456
02:22:24,120 --> 02:22:26,489
Sir, before you see
Prince Lichnowsky,

2457
02:22:26,490 --> 02:22:29,780
you must see this.
Please.

2458
02:22:41,540 --> 02:22:42,849
Are you sure?

2459
02:22:42,850 --> 02:22:45,579
I'm 100% sure about
the recent lengthening

2460
02:22:45,580 --> 02:22:47,129
of the railway platforms,

2461
02:22:47,130 --> 02:22:50,729
and I'm 95% sure that German troops

2462
02:22:50,730 --> 02:22:52,699
are heading towards
the Belgian border.

2463
02:22:52,700 --> 02:22:55,899
But can we be certain they intend
to cross into Belgium?

2464
02:22:55,900 --> 02:22:59,700
Might there not be an innocent
explanation for all this activity?

2465
02:23:01,020 --> 02:23:02,770
Certainly there might.

2466
02:23:03,080 --> 02:23:06,289
I can't think what it would be.
But...

2467
02:23:06,290 --> 02:23:09,500
Well, why don't I just ask him?

2468
02:23:11,670 --> 02:23:13,229
Of course, after last night,

2469
02:23:13,230 --> 02:23:15,999
we can't afford a
second misunderstanding.

2470
02:23:16,000 --> 02:23:18,379
I take full responsibility for that.

2471
02:23:18,380 --> 02:23:21,139
Please don't. I rather think
we egged each other on.

2472
02:23:21,140 --> 02:23:23,089
The damn telephone, too.

2473
02:23:23,090 --> 02:23:26,019
The thing was invented
to make fools of us.

2474
02:23:26,020 --> 02:23:29,309
-It's not created difficulties for you?
-None.

2475
02:23:29,310 --> 02:23:31,880
-Yourself?
-I don't know.

2476
02:23:32,340 --> 02:23:34,190
No, I don't think so.

2477
02:23:34,500 --> 02:23:37,209
May I ask you an awkward question?

2478
02:23:37,210 --> 02:23:40,380
If I may reserve the option
of pretending I didn't hear it.

2479
02:23:42,540 --> 02:23:44,590
What would you say

2480
02:23:45,060 --> 02:23:49,629
if I told you I have
certain reasons to believe

2481
02:23:49,630 --> 02:23:51,790
that someone in Germany...

2482
02:23:52,700 --> 02:23:54,529
..someone in a high command,

2483
02:23:54,530 --> 02:23:57,280
is contemplating an
invasion of Belgium?

2484
02:23:57,750 --> 02:23:59,299
I would say that is impossible.

2485
02:23:59,300 --> 02:24:01,409
We have a treaty with Belgium,
as you do.

2486
02:24:01,410 --> 02:24:04,529
But Belgium
is a back door to Paris.

2487
02:24:04,530 --> 02:24:06,899
Belgium is a sovereign country.

2488
02:24:06,900 --> 02:24:08,599
It is the back door to Paris.

2489
02:24:08,600 --> 02:24:10,560
It is also a back door to Berlin.

2490
02:24:12,100 --> 02:24:14,259
Belgium makes us all honest.

2491
02:24:14,260 --> 02:24:17,550
It makes the French honest,
it makes Germany honest.

2492
02:24:18,180 --> 02:24:22,259
To violate Belgian sovereignty
would be madness.

2493
02:24:22,260 --> 02:24:23,969
2nd AUGUST

2494
02:24:23,970 --> 02:24:26,840
2nd AUGUST 8pm

2495
02:24:27,650 --> 02:24:30,019
BELGIAN GOVERNMENT, BRUSSELS

2496
02:24:30,020 --> 02:24:33,619
We have received reports
in the last 24 hours

2497
02:24:33,620 --> 02:24:36,970
of French troops
along the Givet-Namur road...

2498
02:24:38,300 --> 02:24:39,600
..and therefore,

2499
02:24:40,940 --> 02:24:43,980
in the light of this
violation of your territory,

2500
02:24:45,090 --> 02:24:47,719
and of the 1839 treaty,

2501
02:24:47,720 --> 02:24:51,109
we are obliged to request
of the Belgian government

2502
02:24:51,110 --> 02:24:53,669
free access for our own troops

2503
02:24:53,670 --> 02:24:55,480
to engage the French.

2504
02:25:01,260 --> 02:25:03,450
You have 12 hours to respond.

2505
02:25:07,220 --> 02:25:10,689
-This will be our <i>casus belli</i>.
-It might be.

2506
02:25:10,690 --> 02:25:12,039
It's an immaculate one, too.

2507
02:25:12,040 --> 02:25:16,859
No oil reserves, no coaling
stations, no gold fields.

2508
02:25:16,860 --> 02:25:21,629
Just poor little Belgium at the
mercy of the German juggernaut.

2509
02:25:21,630 --> 02:25:24,859
Even the radicals will be filled
with indignation.

2510
02:25:24,860 --> 02:25:27,499
If Germany invades.

2511
02:25:27,500 --> 02:25:30,620
The legal situation
is not altogether clear.

2512
02:25:31,180 --> 02:25:35,899
We would probably still need an
official request for assistance

2513
02:25:35,900 --> 02:25:40,629
from the Belgian government to avoid
breaching the same treaty.

2514
02:25:40,630 --> 02:25:43,219
We cannot be more Belgian
than the Belgians.

2515
02:25:43,220 --> 02:25:44,959
Surely they will ask for our help.

2516
02:25:44,960 --> 02:25:46,859
I have no idea.

2517
02:25:46,860 --> 02:25:52,190
It's possible the Belgian army
will simply fire a token shot

2518
02:25:52,850 --> 02:25:57,520
and then line the roads
while the German army passes through.

2519
02:26:03,340 --> 02:26:06,890
<i>"If we are to be crushed"
said the Belgian King,</i>

2520
02:26:07,270 --> 02:26:09,950
<i>"let us be crushed gloriously."</i>

2521
02:26:10,260 --> 02:26:12,139
<i>That night his Government
had resolved</i>

2522
02:26:12,140 --> 02:26:14,640
"to repel every attack on its right."

2523
02:26:15,420 --> 02:26:19,389
<i>And King Albert himself composed
a personal appeal to the Kaiser,</i>

2524
02:26:19,390 --> 02:26:22,710
<i>translated by his German wife.</i>

2525
02:26:23,440 --> 02:26:25,940
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

2526
02:26:27,150 --> 02:26:29,850
48 HOURS TO WAR

2527
02:26:31,100 --> 02:26:34,210
<i>But there was no cry for help
directed to London.</i>

2528
02:26:37,580 --> 02:26:38,880
<i>Not yet.</i>

2529
02:26:42,260 --> 02:26:44,190
<i>And I'll be honest with you.</i>

2530
02:26:44,820 --> 02:26:47,470
<i>Not one man here wanted it to come.</i>

2531
02:27:02,980 --> 02:27:04,989
What would they say
if they truly knew

2532
02:27:04,990 --> 02:27:07,249
what was happening to their world?

2533
02:27:07,250 --> 02:27:08,800
Tell me, Winston,

2534
02:27:09,300 --> 02:27:13,000
what does it take
to lead a democracy into war?

2535
02:27:13,740 --> 02:27:17,350
I do not know.
It's never been done before.

2536
02:27:18,500 --> 02:27:21,419
We would be the first,
in Europe at any rate.

2537
02:27:21,420 --> 02:27:24,559
It means seeking the approval of
those who are going to die in it,

2538
02:27:24,560 --> 02:27:25,869
I suppose.

2539
02:27:25,870 --> 02:27:28,220
Our forebears
never had that problem.

2540
02:27:28,940 --> 02:27:31,409
And we record their names now.

2541
02:27:31,410 --> 02:27:33,800
Of those who fall,
I mean.

2542
02:27:35,140 --> 02:27:37,150
It makes it so personal.

2543
02:27:37,760 --> 02:27:39,339
<i>Have you told your parents?</i>

2544
02:27:39,340 --> 02:27:41,280
I haven't had the time.

2545
02:27:43,260 --> 02:27:44,560
You ought to.

2546
02:27:46,180 --> 02:27:48,390
I'm their only son, Muriel.

2547
02:27:49,740 --> 02:27:53,079
They'd be horrified if they knew

2548
02:27:53,080 --> 02:27:54,889
that I was thinking
of volunteering.

2549
02:27:54,890 --> 02:27:56,699
But they'll have
to know eventually.

2550
02:27:56,700 --> 02:28:00,850
No, not necessarily.
It may still blow over.

2551
02:28:02,540 --> 02:28:04,330
It might not come to war.

2552
02:28:11,180 --> 02:28:15,139
So, Germany has requested
free movement of her troops

2553
02:28:15,140 --> 02:28:18,779
across Belgium and so far,
Belgium has refused to give it,

2554
02:28:18,780 --> 02:28:23,149
and has not asked for our assistance
and may never do so.

2555
02:28:23,150 --> 02:28:26,699
So, we are where we were.

2556
02:28:26,700 --> 02:28:29,549
Except one power
has signalled its intention

2557
02:28:29,550 --> 02:28:32,090
to break a venerable treaty.

2558
02:28:32,540 --> 02:28:35,689
What was that shrug for?
Do these things not matter?

2559
02:28:35,690 --> 02:28:38,329
Words on paper, composed long ago.

2560
02:28:38,330 --> 02:28:40,339
Words have to mean something.

2561
02:28:40,340 --> 02:28:42,949
Otherwise, all that remains
is the cannon.

2562
02:28:42,950 --> 02:28:44,890
And let us think of France.

2563
02:28:45,260 --> 02:28:48,789
I know you don't want to,
but consider her position.

2564
02:28:48,790 --> 02:28:50,919
Cowardice won't save her now.

2565
02:28:50,920 --> 02:28:54,479
She is about to be overwhelmed
by the might of the German Army,

2566
02:28:54,480 --> 02:28:55,789
whether she fights or not.

2567
02:28:55,790 --> 02:28:58,740
Words do have to mean something,
of course they do.

2568
02:28:59,350 --> 02:29:01,499
But let us not pretend

2569
02:29:01,500 --> 02:29:04,109
that our own ill-chosen words

2570
02:29:04,110 --> 02:29:06,109
would not have
awesome consequences

2571
02:29:06,110 --> 02:29:08,959
for millions of our countrymen.

2572
02:29:08,960 --> 02:29:11,509
We can fill this room
with noble thoughts

2573
02:29:11,510 --> 02:29:16,250
about treaties honoured
and solemn promises kept.

2574
02:29:16,580 --> 02:29:20,749
We can flatter ourselves that we are
the custodians of international law

2575
02:29:20,750 --> 02:29:22,949
and that Germany
is a nation of brigands.

2576
02:29:22,950 --> 02:29:26,490
But think, think, gentlemen,

2577
02:29:27,100 --> 02:29:31,869
think of the consequences that would
flow from such high-mindedness.

2578
02:29:31,870 --> 02:29:35,649
We have not fought a European war
for several generations

2579
02:29:35,650 --> 02:29:39,559
and, necessarily, we've forgotten
what it is like to do so,

2580
02:29:39,560 --> 02:29:43,020
and this makes us brave
and frivolous.

2581
02:29:44,300 --> 02:29:47,629
How does an army
of several million men

2582
02:29:47,630 --> 02:29:51,009
defeat another army
of several million men

2583
02:29:51,010 --> 02:29:54,419
with all the metal they have
these days at their disposal?

2584
02:29:54,420 --> 02:29:57,940
None of us knows, not even the
generals, although they pretend to.

2585
02:29:58,750 --> 02:30:01,989
If the European nations
come to blows tonight,

2586
02:30:01,990 --> 02:30:03,650
or in the next few days,

2587
02:30:04,020 --> 02:30:07,959
I foresee a calamity lasting years.

2588
02:30:07,960 --> 02:30:10,790
It will be a war without victors,

2589
02:30:11,180 --> 02:30:13,990
which is the worst war imaginable,

2590
02:30:14,700 --> 02:30:17,259
because the immense
expense of blood

2591
02:30:17,260 --> 02:30:20,920
will, in the end,
be for nothing.

2592
02:30:32,460 --> 02:30:33,820
Edward?

2593
02:30:35,260 --> 02:30:40,040
That's why I understand
the temptation of neutrality.

2594
02:30:41,700 --> 02:30:43,679
We're human beings

2595
02:30:43,680 --> 02:30:46,839
and therefore,
the temptation's almost irresistible.

2596
02:30:46,840 --> 02:30:48,289
But our friend here

2597
02:30:48,290 --> 02:30:50,999
talks as though there
will be no calamity

2598
02:30:51,000 --> 02:30:55,349
if we stood aside
and let Belgian pleas for help,

2599
02:30:55,350 --> 02:30:58,309
should they come,
fall on deaf ears.

2600
02:30:58,310 --> 02:30:59,899
Well...

2601
02:30:59,900 --> 02:31:02,050
what about the political calamity?

2602
02:31:02,860 --> 02:31:05,679
And what about the moral calamity?

2603
02:31:05,680 --> 02:31:07,439
What would happen
to our good name?

2604
02:31:07,440 --> 02:31:09,499
Who would ever trust us again?

2605
02:31:09,500 --> 02:31:12,489
We would have sacrificed
every friend

2606
02:31:12,490 --> 02:31:17,150
and every interest
simply to preserve ourselves.

2607
02:31:17,540 --> 02:31:20,029
And what would lay before us

2608
02:31:20,030 --> 02:31:23,479
when that European
war had ended?

2609
02:31:23,480 --> 02:31:25,419
A scarred continent,
to be sure,

2610
02:31:25,420 --> 02:31:29,930
with all the human destruction.
our friend has foretold -

2611
02:31:30,790 --> 02:31:33,370
not Englishmen,
it is true,

2612
02:31:34,780 --> 02:31:36,480
but our neighbours.

2613
02:31:38,180 --> 02:31:40,880
And this too -

2614
02:31:41,420 --> 02:31:44,099
we would face a continent

2615
02:31:44,100 --> 02:31:47,709
under the dominion
of a solitary power.

2616
02:31:47,710 --> 02:31:52,170
And that a military one,
dedicated to blood and iron.

2617
02:31:54,860 --> 02:31:57,350
We have an obligation to France,

2618
02:31:58,270 --> 02:31:59,919
unwritten perhaps,

2619
02:31:59,920 --> 02:32:03,320
also to Belgium - very much written.

2620
02:32:04,090 --> 02:32:07,160
Does that not mean something?

2621
02:32:10,020 --> 02:32:14,509
Let every man here
search his own heart

2622
02:32:14,510 --> 02:32:19,000
and decide for himself whether he
feels the pull of those obligations.

2623
02:32:20,320 --> 02:32:21,739
I do.

2624
02:32:21,740 --> 02:32:24,110
I will presently go
to the House of Commons

2625
02:32:24,700 --> 02:32:28,080
and make the case for
supporting our allies

2626
02:32:28,890 --> 02:32:30,850
if it should come to war.

2627
02:32:31,290 --> 02:32:33,380
Then I should resign.

2628
02:32:34,620 --> 02:32:37,170
What can I expect if I stay on?

2629
02:32:37,980 --> 02:32:41,109
Everlasting quarrels
with Winston, certainly,

2630
02:32:41,110 --> 02:32:44,010
but also, with respect...

2631
02:32:45,860 --> 02:32:50,620
..I would be putting my name to a
policy that is fundamentally wrong.

2632
02:32:53,780 --> 02:32:56,180
It's sad, but...

2633
02:32:57,660 --> 02:33:00,250
..this government is folding.

2634
02:33:03,220 --> 02:33:06,299
Now I have four resignations.

2635
02:33:06,300 --> 02:33:10,280
Beauchamp and Simon joined
John Burns earlier this morning.

2636
02:33:11,460 --> 02:33:13,260
David Lloyd George.

2637
02:33:14,620 --> 02:33:16,760
What is your policy?

2638
02:33:18,820 --> 02:33:24,789
I would impress on Germany the
importance of Belgian neutrality.

2639
02:33:24,790 --> 02:33:26,989
And if Germany is not impressed?

2640
02:33:26,990 --> 02:33:30,910
And Belgium fails
to ask for our help,

2641
02:33:31,540 --> 02:33:34,950
would you commit to war
for the sake of France?

2642
02:33:40,140 --> 02:33:41,440
No.

2643
02:33:50,540 --> 02:33:53,490
You'll need half an hour
to yourself, Edward?

2644
02:33:54,300 --> 02:33:58,389
-Before you address the House.
-Yes, I would appreciate that.

2645
02:33:58,390 --> 02:34:00,550
Sir Edward!
Sir Edward!

2646
02:34:01,900 --> 02:34:05,179
I have just been instructed
by my government to inform you

2647
02:34:05,180 --> 02:34:07,989
that the German fleet will not
operate in the English Channel

2648
02:34:07,990 --> 02:34:09,829
if Britain remains neutral.

2649
02:34:09,830 --> 02:34:11,799
Isn't that encouraging?

2650
02:34:11,800 --> 02:34:14,539
Is there not something
there for you?

2651
02:34:14,540 --> 02:34:16,130
Not really.

2652
02:34:16,540 --> 02:34:19,109
What if Germany were to abide

2653
02:34:19,110 --> 02:34:21,179
by her treaty
obligations to Belgium?

2654
02:34:21,180 --> 02:34:23,379
Would Britain then agree
to neutrality?

2655
02:34:23,380 --> 02:34:24,739
-No.
-No?!

2656
02:34:24,740 --> 02:34:28,929
Max, I have no idea if you were
authorised to ask that question,

2657
02:34:28,930 --> 02:34:30,689
I rather suspect you were not,

2658
02:34:30,690 --> 02:34:33,009
but even if you were,

2659
02:34:33,010 --> 02:34:35,629
I would still be required to say,
"No".

2660
02:34:35,630 --> 02:34:37,259
But that is irrational.

2661
02:34:37,260 --> 02:34:39,369
My dear friend,
I rather think it is you

2662
02:34:39,370 --> 02:34:41,619
who is no longer seeing
things clearly.

2663
02:34:41,620 --> 02:34:45,639
I'm offering you a formula...
to save us.

2664
02:34:45,640 --> 02:34:49,039
You're asking Britain
to reward Germany

2665
02:34:49,040 --> 02:34:51,519
with a free hand against France

2666
02:34:51,520 --> 02:34:55,309
merely for fulfilling its legal
and moral obligations to Belgium.

2667
02:34:55,310 --> 02:34:56,669
I cannot do that.
Anyway,

2668
02:34:56,670 --> 02:34:59,079
how do I know you will abide
by your agreement?

2669
02:34:59,080 --> 02:35:00,639
-I...
-No, no, no, not you -

2670
02:35:00,640 --> 02:35:02,099
your chiefs.

2671
02:35:02,100 --> 02:35:05,059
They could still march
through Belgium tomorrow

2672
02:35:05,060 --> 02:35:07,759
and wreck Britain's
relations with France

2673
02:35:07,760 --> 02:35:09,069
forever

2674
02:35:09,070 --> 02:35:13,049
by publishing the text of some
agreement struck between you and me.

2675
02:35:13,050 --> 02:35:15,739
Then, for God's sake,
state the conditions

2676
02:35:15,740 --> 02:35:18,149
under which Britain
will remain neutral.

2677
02:35:18,150 --> 02:35:20,729
-I will not do that either.
-Please help me.

2678
02:35:20,730 --> 02:35:23,549
There must be
something you can insist on.

2679
02:35:23,550 --> 02:35:26,100
That you do not go to war
with France.

2680
02:35:30,500 --> 02:35:36,300
Germany will declare war on France
this afternoon.

2681
02:35:43,220 --> 02:35:44,940
Will you go through Belgium?

2682
02:35:45,450 --> 02:35:46,750
I don't know.

2683
02:35:48,500 --> 02:35:52,760
Perhaps a corner will be clipped,
I don't know.

2684
02:35:57,820 --> 02:35:59,780
You'll excuse me.

2685
02:36:00,540 --> 02:36:03,780
I have an address to make
to the House of Commons.

2686
02:36:13,940 --> 02:36:15,629
<i>Soon after Grey's address,</i>

2687
02:36:15,630 --> 02:36:17,860
Germany declared
war on France.

2688
02:36:18,310 --> 02:36:20,649
<i>Some pretext was invented -</i>

2689
02:36:20,650 --> 02:36:23,670
<i>a French aerial attack
on Nuremberg, I think.</i>

2690
02:36:24,180 --> 02:36:25,750
<i>It wasn't true -</i>

2691
02:36:26,470 --> 02:36:28,970
<i>certainly,
nobody in Nuremberg saw it.</i>

2692
02:36:30,020 --> 02:36:34,389
Sir, I've the latest despatches
from Berlin and Brussels.

2693
02:36:34,390 --> 02:36:36,540
Come here for a moment,
and look at this.

2694
02:36:39,380 --> 02:36:42,589
I've always loved this sight
on a summer's evening.

2695
02:36:42,590 --> 02:36:45,550
I find it inexpressibly consoling.

2696
02:36:46,500 --> 02:36:49,150
And I want it to last forever.

2697
02:36:51,740 --> 02:36:54,920
You'll be told there isn't
a better time to be young

2698
02:36:55,800 --> 02:37:00,890
and that you are the envy
of those too old to fight.

2699
02:37:03,580 --> 02:37:05,450
Perhaps that's true.

2700
02:37:06,900 --> 02:37:08,200
Perhaps.

2701
02:37:09,020 --> 02:37:14,160
You know, the lamps are going out
all over Europe.

2702
02:37:16,060 --> 02:37:19,720
We may not see them lit again
in our lifetime.

2703
02:37:25,470 --> 02:37:27,950
TUESDAY 4th AUGUST

2704
02:37:28,720 --> 02:37:31,760
17 HOURS TO WAR

2705
02:37:44,180 --> 02:37:47,429
<i>By mid-morning,
our 34th Brigade</i>

2706
02:37:47,430 --> 02:37:49,980
<i>had crossed the border
into Belgium.</i>

2707
02:37:59,220 --> 02:38:02,279
<i>And King Albert of Belgium
asked his parliament,</i>

2708
02:38:02,280 --> 02:38:05,480
<i>"Are we still committed
to our independence?"</i>

2709
02:38:06,190 --> 02:38:09,379
<i>"Yes, yes!",
came the reply.</i>

2710
02:38:09,380 --> 02:38:12,019
<i>The King of the Belgians
then made his appeal</i>

2711
02:38:12,020 --> 02:38:14,910
<i>to all the guarantors
of Belgian neutrality.</i>

2712
02:38:15,620 --> 02:38:18,989
These are the translations,
two copies of each, please, Muriel.

2713
02:38:18,990 --> 02:38:20,699
Is this it, do you think?

2714
02:38:20,700 --> 02:38:22,210
<i>We heard it at midday.</i>

2715
02:38:31,200 --> 02:38:33,500
-David.
-Prime Minister.

2716
02:38:39,980 --> 02:38:43,739
I do not think that
we are prepared for war.

2717
02:38:43,740 --> 02:38:46,109
The Governor of the Bank
of England assures me

2718
02:38:46,110 --> 02:38:47,919
that we will be very
quickly bankrupt

2719
02:38:47,920 --> 02:38:51,550
as a nation if we take
up arms against Germany.

2720
02:38:52,180 --> 02:38:56,109
And although he exaggerates
somewhat, he is undoubtedly correct

2721
02:38:56,110 --> 02:38:58,159
in saying that,
as a mercantile nation,

2722
02:38:58,160 --> 02:38:59,759
we shall suffer more than most

2723
02:38:59,760 --> 02:39:02,820
because of the agonies
to international trade.

2724
02:39:03,820 --> 02:39:06,749
I believe also there are
some people in this country,

2725
02:39:06,750 --> 02:39:09,059
possibly even around this table,

2726
02:39:09,060 --> 02:39:12,759
who will have been delighted
by the Kaiser's decision

2727
02:39:12,760 --> 02:39:16,269
to violate Belgian sovereignty
this morning

2728
02:39:16,270 --> 02:39:20,269
for the simple reason that it
coats their own selfish enthusiasm

2729
02:39:20,270 --> 02:39:22,510
for war with a moral gloss.

2730
02:39:24,200 --> 02:39:25,500
However...

2731
02:39:27,340 --> 02:39:30,770
..I differ from my now
departed colleagues.

2732
02:39:31,940 --> 02:39:34,239
I am genuinely frightened

2733
02:39:34,240 --> 02:39:36,669
by the prospect of
a rampant Germany

2734
02:39:36,670 --> 02:39:40,620
sitting in Brussels and Paris
and on the Channel coast.

2735
02:39:42,020 --> 02:39:44,100
Do I care for Belgium?

2736
02:39:45,060 --> 02:39:47,820
I fear for her, certainly.

2737
02:39:48,820 --> 02:39:52,489
She is a small nation like my own -

2738
02:39:52,490 --> 02:39:56,469
and she has rights,
which cannot be eradicated

2739
02:39:56,470 --> 02:39:59,150
just because the eradicator
is strong.

2740
02:39:59,890 --> 02:40:02,179
Do I care for the principle

2741
02:40:02,180 --> 02:40:05,920
that international law
ought to mean something?

2742
02:40:06,860 --> 02:40:08,370
Yes, I do.

2743
02:40:08,780 --> 02:40:11,550
There ought to be more of it,
not less.

2744
02:40:12,900 --> 02:40:18,730
The German invasion of Belgium
has changed everything for me.

2745
02:40:20,260 --> 02:40:22,509
The only sensible thing now

2746
02:40:22,510 --> 02:40:24,659
is for this government

2747
02:40:24,660 --> 02:40:29,200
to send an ultimatum
to the aggressors in Berlin.

2748
02:40:35,900 --> 02:40:39,980
Is there anyone who disagrees
with that last sentence?

2749
02:40:41,900 --> 02:40:44,149
Well, there will be no opposition
from the Conservatives

2750
02:40:44,150 --> 02:40:46,469
or the Irish Nationalists,

2751
02:40:46,470 --> 02:40:51,289
I very much hope there will no
opposition from our own people.

2752
02:40:51,290 --> 02:40:53,279
-Just one thing, Prime Minister.
-Yes.

2753
02:40:53,280 --> 02:40:55,859
Do you not think we ought to consult
the Dominion governments

2754
02:40:55,860 --> 02:40:58,899
before we issue an ultimatum?
The Australians and the Canadians

2755
02:40:58,900 --> 02:41:01,269
will have their own thoughts on this,
I'm quite certain.

2756
02:41:01,270 --> 02:41:03,859
There is no constitutional need.

2757
02:41:03,860 --> 02:41:07,720
They will see it as we see it.

2758
02:41:15,020 --> 02:41:16,800
<i>You did the right thing.</i>

2759
02:41:18,700 --> 02:41:20,970
None of us will survive this war.

2760
02:41:21,820 --> 02:41:23,170
Politically, I mean.

2761
02:41:27,780 --> 02:41:31,979
<i>Within the hour, the British
government had drafted its ultimatum</i>

2762
02:41:31,980 --> 02:41:34,949
<i>to the Kaiser demanding
the complete withdrawal</i>

2763
02:41:34,950 --> 02:41:37,196
<i>of all German troops from Belgium</i>

2764
02:41:37,197 --> 02:41:38,940
<i>by midnight.</i>

2765
02:41:39,680 --> 02:41:40,989
5 HOURS TO WAR

2766
02:41:40,990 --> 02:41:43,390
4 HOURS TO WAR

2767
02:41:44,380 --> 02:41:46,530
<i>That was midnight, Berlin time.</i>

2768
02:41:49,940 --> 02:41:52,740
<i>But the mind of our government
was made up.</i>

2769
02:41:53,780 --> 02:41:59,309
What we are doing to Belgium,
we have been forced to do.

2770
02:41:59,310 --> 02:42:01,640
Necessity knows no law.

2771
02:42:02,540 --> 02:42:06,850
Good - necessity knows no law.
That is right.

2772
02:42:07,760 --> 02:42:10,889
If we think like magistrates,
we are dead.

2773
02:42:10,890 --> 02:42:13,040
The British think like magistrates.

2774
02:42:13,350 --> 02:42:14,899
Legalism, not justice.

2775
02:42:14,900 --> 02:42:17,659
They care nothing for Belgium
or the treaty.

2776
02:42:17,660 --> 02:42:19,150
They only care for power.

2777
02:42:19,820 --> 02:42:21,129
And how they hate it

2778
02:42:21,130 --> 02:42:24,030
when we show our appetite
to be equal with theirs.

2779
02:42:25,940 --> 02:42:28,040
What do you say, Bethmann?

2780
02:42:33,580 --> 02:42:36,289
Our army must hack its way
through Belgium.

2781
02:42:36,290 --> 02:42:38,869
<i>I believe it was Rousseau who said,</i>

2782
02:42:38,870 --> 02:42:41,909
<i>"It is a sort of folly
to remain wise</i>

2783
02:42:41,910 --> 02:42:44,480
<i>"in the midst of those
who are mad." '</i>

2784
02:42:45,660 --> 02:42:47,449
<i>And on those 37 days,</i>

2785
02:42:47,450 --> 02:42:50,950
<i>Germany was short
of that kind of folly.</i>

2786
02:42:53,100 --> 02:42:55,080
Can you take it next door?

2787
02:43:03,540 --> 02:43:07,539
I hear you've decided to join
the Royal Field Artillery.

2788
02:43:07,540 --> 02:43:09,260
I have, sir.

2789
02:43:16,660 --> 02:43:19,160
I think I'll be losing
a lot of my young men.

2790
02:43:31,140 --> 02:43:32,440
Thank you.

2791
02:43:33,120 --> 02:43:36,260
Have you received orders
to report to your regiment yet?

2792
02:43:37,900 --> 02:43:40,720
-Not yet, sir.
-But you will.

2793
02:43:42,780 --> 02:43:45,200
I expect so, sir, yes.

2794
02:43:49,620 --> 02:43:52,650
It's not a bad life,
the soldiering life.

2795
02:43:53,580 --> 02:43:54,880
Yes, sir.

2796
02:43:55,780 --> 02:43:58,240
But I don't think you'll fall
in love with it.

2797
02:44:00,940 --> 02:44:05,410
I've never seen myself as a soldier,
like some boys do.

2798
02:44:08,500 --> 02:44:11,299
I always hoped that,
under my stewardship,

2799
02:44:11,300 --> 02:44:12,760
we would see Germany

2800
02:44:13,270 --> 02:44:15,479
turn into a state with an army,

2801
02:44:15,480 --> 02:44:17,980
rather than the other way around.

2802
02:44:34,340 --> 02:44:36,620
The Prime Minister is in there.

2803
02:44:36,950 --> 02:44:39,350
-And Winston...
-Of course.

2804
02:44:40,820 --> 02:44:43,090
You carry this burden alone.

2805
02:44:43,780 --> 02:44:45,299
Yes.

2806
02:44:45,300 --> 02:44:47,630
You once criticised me for that.

2807
02:44:48,140 --> 02:44:50,459
"Too many secrets," you said.

2808
02:44:50,460 --> 02:44:53,390
It's how the game is played,
I understand that.

2809
02:44:54,500 --> 02:44:57,659
But it is too punishing for one man.

2810
02:44:57,660 --> 02:45:01,619
All your successes -
we know virtually nothing about,

2811
02:45:01,620 --> 02:45:03,239
they must remain private.

2812
02:45:03,240 --> 02:45:04,949
Otherwise,
they are not successes at all.

2813
02:45:04,950 --> 02:45:06,809
But your failures...

2814
02:45:06,810 --> 02:45:10,689
they become common property,
they belong to the world.

2815
02:45:10,690 --> 02:45:14,469
There is surely no hiding place
from all the scorn

2816
02:45:14,470 --> 02:45:16,680
and vilification that follow.

2817
02:45:19,780 --> 02:45:22,949
I suppose that there comes
a time in a war diplomacy

2818
02:45:22,950 --> 02:45:26,500
when nothing is left standing
except principle?

2819
02:45:47,660 --> 02:45:49,829
Perhaps I should
have travelled more.

2820
02:45:49,830 --> 02:45:51,659
Officially, you mean?

2821
02:45:51,660 --> 02:45:53,770
Officially, personally, both.

2822
02:45:54,220 --> 02:45:56,509
I've never once set foot
in Germany.

2823
02:45:56,510 --> 02:45:58,099
I don't think that matters.

2824
02:45:58,100 --> 02:46:00,169
I could have taken my own measure
of the place.

2825
02:46:00,170 --> 02:46:02,229
That's what the Foreign Office
is for.

2826
02:46:02,230 --> 02:46:06,409
The world dissected by experts
in every field,

2827
02:46:06,410 --> 02:46:10,749
its vital organs
displayed and explained.

2828
02:46:10,750 --> 02:46:13,740
Now, all those organs are failing.

2829
02:46:18,740 --> 02:46:22,190
What will it be like,
do you think?

2830
02:46:24,340 --> 02:46:26,559
I haven't given it much thought.

2831
02:46:26,560 --> 02:46:31,039
-Not the military side of things.
-Well, you've lacked the time.

2832
02:46:31,040 --> 02:46:33,509
I've lacked the experience too.

2833
02:46:33,510 --> 02:46:35,609
We all lack that.

2834
02:46:35,610 --> 02:46:37,580
Except Winston.

2835
02:46:38,540 --> 02:46:41,219
Did he ever told
you about his charge

2836
02:46:41,220 --> 02:46:44,459
with the 21st Lancers at
the Battle of Omdurman?

2837
02:46:44,460 --> 02:46:46,800
I think he did tell me
about it once.

2838
02:46:50,540 --> 02:46:51,840
What?

2839
02:46:54,020 --> 02:46:59,280
I think perhaps this war
will be a little different.

2840
02:47:30,380 --> 02:47:33,320
<i>Ours became the war of the spade.</i>

2841
02:47:33,660 --> 02:47:36,329
<i>The first trenches were dug
in the Marne Valley</i>

2842
02:47:36,330 --> 02:47:38,960
<i>at the end of August 1914.</i>

2843
02:47:42,820 --> 02:47:45,010
There was no "40-day war".

2844
02:47:45,700 --> 02:47:47,469
No triumphant gallop to Paris,

2845
02:47:47,470 --> 02:47:52,619
just a murderous
and terrifying stalemate.

2846
02:47:52,620 --> 02:47:55,769
And, of course, the war spread.

2847
02:47:55,770 --> 02:47:57,799
It spread to the Middle East,

2848
02:47:57,800 --> 02:48:01,650
to Asia, to Africa - and beyond.

2849
02:48:02,360 --> 02:48:04,739
It became the First World War.

2850
02:48:04,740 --> 02:48:08,399
By 1918,
four Empires were in ruins

2851
02:48:08,400 --> 02:48:12,470
and four royal dynasties ended.

2852
02:48:13,080 --> 02:48:16,240
The face of our continent
was changed by revolution.

2853
02:48:17,140 --> 02:48:21,260
And death, it seemed,
could never claim too many.

2854
02:48:21,860 --> 02:48:24,260
It was always hungry for more.

2855
02:48:25,540 --> 02:48:27,920
<i>10 million died.</i>

2856
02:48:30,460 --> 02:48:33,270
It's too many for the mind
to conceive.

2857
02:48:33,940 --> 02:48:38,509
Every single one of them
mourned by people who loved them

2858
02:48:38,510 --> 02:48:40,360
and missed them,

2859
02:48:41,220 --> 02:48:44,200
with grief consuming
half the world.

2860
02:48:46,140 --> 02:48:48,140
Here's a funny thing.

2861
02:48:49,460 --> 02:48:51,620
Austria and Russia,

2862
02:48:52,100 --> 02:48:55,980
whose quarrel in the Balkans had
taken everybody else to the edge,

2863
02:48:56,790 --> 02:49:00,549
they were the last
to declare war on each other.

2864
02:49:00,550 --> 02:49:01,980
And when they did...

2865
02:49:05,740 --> 02:49:07,780
..nobody really noticed.

2866
02:49:21,710 --> 02:49:25,119
<i>General Helmut von Moltke
resigned</i>

2867
02:49:25,120 --> 02:49:28,520
<i>after failing to take Paris
in the Autumn of 1914.</i>

2868
02:49:31,730 --> 02:49:35,329
<i>Winston Churchill was removec
as First Lord of the Admiralty</i>

2869
02:49:35,330 --> 02:49:38,930
<i>in 1915, following the
disastrous Battle of Gallipoli.</i>

2870
02:49:42,320 --> 02:49:46,029
<i>Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg
was also forced to resign</i>

2871
02:49:46,030 --> 02:49:49,010
<i>following a Reichstag revolt.</i>

2872
02:49:52,220 --> 02:49:54,939
<i>Sir Eyre Crowe remained
at the Foreign Office</i>

2873
02:49:54,940 --> 02:49:57,849
<i>and represented Great Britain
at Paris Peace Conference</i>

2874
02:49:57,850 --> 02:49:59,150
<i>of 1919.</i>

2875
02:50:02,660 --> 02:50:05,699
<i>Prince Max Lichnowsky
blamed his oun Government</i>

2876
02:50:05,700 --> 02:50:07,459
<i>for leading Europe to war.</i>

2877
02:50:07,460 --> 02:50:09,670
<i>He was expelled from the
Prussian House of Lords.</i>

2878
02:50:12,480 --> 02:50:16,439
<i>David Lloyd George
replaced Asquith</i>

2879
02:50:16,440 --> 02:50:19,580
<i>as Prime Minister in 1916.</i>

2880
02:50:24,390 --> 02:50:30,290
<i>Kaiser Wilhelm II
was deposed in 1918.</i>

2881
02:50:33,750 --> 02:50:36,229
<i>Sir Edward Grey left
the House of Commons</i>

2882
02:50:36,230 --> 02:50:38,739
<i>and became Ambassador
to the United States.</i>

2883
02:50:38,740 --> 02:50:40,520
<i>He died in 1933.</i>