Original subtitles

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

["Pomp and Circumstance"]

Turkey has controlled the Dardanelles since she captured

Constantinople and over Anne Europe 400 years ago.

But Turkey is a sick man.

If we apply pressure, she would give way.

However, the problem is complicated by Austria and Germany.

Both have vital interests in the Balkans.

The Austrians, to keep open the mouth of the Danube,

the Germans, to complete the building of their railway

from Berlin to Baghdad.

The problem facing Russia, therefore,

is both simple and complicated.

Simple.

Because the Dardanelles is the only passage through which

the Russian fleet can pass from the Black Sea

into the Mediterranean, full stop, paragraph.

Any threat by us to the Dardanelles

will be viewed by Austria and Germany

as a threat to their interests in the Balkans.

I believe the conditions for the solution of this problem

are now at hand.

And they involve the insignificant little territory

of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yes?

His Majesty would like you to join him and Prime Minister

Stolipin on the Sunday.

I'm coming.

Signed a foreign minister of his Imperial Majesty

Zarnikolas II of Russia, Alexander Visvorsky.

Market very confidential.

Yes, Perot.

There you are.

This ship is most confusing.

Do you think this is the right dress for tomorrow in King Edward

or right?

I think it's Charles.

It's not too low.

Fucking Edward.

Very well then.

I shall wear it.

I prefer it to the new one I bought.

You look beautiful in anything, my puppy.

Come.

I'll walk you to our cabin.

I hope it will not be foggy tomorrow.

Is my uncle going to ask a lot of questions

about the way we treat our Jews in Russia?

You may mention it.

Well, I'm not prepared to talk about it.

Oh, we can talk about it, sir.

This is the kind of thing that's going to be the results

of signing a treat with Britain well.

All I could say.

This could come.

Is that him or?

The Empress has said all along.

It was a mistake.

But advantage it will flow from it.

We must give it a chance.

Oh, she has very sound intuitions.

Oh, God, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Oh, God, I'm sorry.

You're not intuitions.

Not government, perhaps, but she knows the treat is not popular

with the masses.

She's very close to them.

Your ministers are not exactly strangers to them?

No, no, of course, but she's a woman that makes a difference.

That makes a difference.

I sometimes think she hears very hard read.

There's another consideration.

The Dardanelles.

Treaty might help to get them open.

Do you think the British are going to change their minds now?

I'm working on it.

The Turks will never yield our fleet the right to pass through the Dardanelles.

And the British will support them.

The British are realists.

If they have to choose between Turkey and us,

they know how to change their minds.

Forget the Dardanelles.

It's a mare's nest.

Forget the Dardanelles.

It can science three centuries of our foreign policy into the ash can with a phrase.

The Empress wishes to remind you, sir, that it's time for tea.

Well, I see no advantage in a treaty.

If all we get out of it are a lot of questions about the way we treat our Jews.

Don't get him all worked up.

Worked up? Worked up about what?

Opening the Dardanelles.

It's his dream.

He's a good man.

I don't know what to do.

It's a good man.

I don't know.

It's a good man.

I don't know.

Opening the Dardanelles.

It's his dream.

It's also a powder keg I don't want it in my house.

Perhaps you'd like me to close down the foreign office altogether.

I would ask you to appreciate one thing.

We can afford no adventures.

The war with Japan ruined us.

The revolution that followed destroyed people's faith in the government.

Make no mistake, we are in an appalling condition.

Far worse than he thinks.

I was appointed to put this country back on its feet.

It'll be a long job, but it can be done with tax reform, land reform.

Reform in the army and the navy and with parliament.

If he doesn't keep closing them down.

But until then, no adventures. Adventures need muscle.

And we have none.

They don't always need muscle.

Sometimes just a little diplomacy.

For what you have in mind, they need muscle.

Unless you know something that I don't know.

Russia is in no position to play the fool Alexander Petrovich.

The fool.

A fool is a man with bells on his tunic.

You can hear him coming a mile off.

When he arrives, he has nothing in his hand to beat you with but a balloon.

I was sure it was going to be foggy. I'd get the same to Alex.

I should be so miserable if the sun doesn't shine for Uncle Bertie.

Well, you see, the good lord bless you's out in front.

Oh, you must talk to Harding about that.

Are you, um, spoke to him?

Not yet.

Not yet?

Would your majesty care for a stroll?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, well, well.

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

What?

Your majesty has his ear to so many doors.

I thought...

Oh, I don't always get it right, you know.

And I can't speak for the cabinet.

Well, then, what is your majesty's view?

I mean, if you were us.

If England were Russia.

Well, we'd want the Dardanell's open to our navy, I think that's only natural.

Ah.

I think it must come.

But when?

And we'd have to look at Turkey in a new light, after all.

We've propped her up for years to keep the Russians out of the Mediterranean.

Times have changed.

You know how hard I've worked for this treaty between us.

I know mine if you doesn't want it.

He inclines towards the Kaiser in France, Joseph.

It's a more conservative grouping, suits his nature more.

But if we could pull off something with British support, he might begin to see the benefit.

You're in trouble with Austria?

Not necessarily.

Oh, you've been having talked to me without internal.

You want to do something positive?

What do you think of him?

He always has to be proving himself, you know, that worries me.

Ah, it's the Jew in him.

Who is he a Jew?

I'll weigh back somewhere. He got, uh, splashed.

No, I don't think he said. He's more that he's, um, an amateur.

Amateur is a fancy idea.

And fancy ideas, frightened British politicians.

Oh, they prefer them plain like their food.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Well, I agree, Arentell is a bit fancy.

He gets an idea and flings himself into it.

And you?

I think it may be time for a little old world diplomacy.

Stolypian knows I have something in mind, but he doesn't know what.

He knows it's to do with opening the Dardanelles, but can't conceive a situation in which the Austrians would agree to it.

But then, my dear Arentell, you and I can.

But he's not against it.

Stolypian.

Oh, how could a Russian be against the opening of the Dardanelles?

But he's frightened of it. He thinks neither the British nor the French would back us.

Did you sound the British out when you met at Ravelle?

I had talks with King Edward. He was sympathetic.

But he doesn't speak for the cabinet.

No, but he's close and I spoke to Harding, who is there.

Oh, what was his reaction?

Cautious, but not dismissive.

Did you mention Bosnia Herzegovina?

Haha. What do you take me for? If you want Bosnia, you must do your own talking.

Maybe better to do none at all.

Not even to the Germans.

Oh, the Germans.

There's been too much talking to the Germans.

We don't need their support.

But what if they oppose?

They won't oppose.

If you are next Bosnia.

We already occupied.

We've occupied it for 30 years.

If we are next it will simply recognize a fact which already exists.

But it still belongs to Turkey.

And the Kaiser is very friendly with the Turks.

If you offend the Turks, won't you also offend him?

My dearest Volsky.

One may foresee every eventuality, but one cannot guard against every eventuality.

Some, we must leave to the gods.

Haha.

No, I'm not worried about the Germans.

The point is, would we have your support if we decided to incorporate Bosnia Herzegovina into the Austrian Empire?

You mean mine personally.

Haha.

Russia is then.

My object is to bring our two countries closer together.

Not drive them further apart.

Well, let me put a question to you.

How sure are you that your government won't oppose the opening of the Dardan House to have Lexi fleet?

Fairly sure.

They would have to see they were getting something for their money.

Of course.

It's important to us that Bosnia become an integral part of the Austrian Empire.

She could then be economically integrated with the rest of it and prosper.

What view would your government take, do you think?

Oh well they wouldn't cheer you, I understand.

Traditionally you have always increased your influence in the Balkans at the expense of ours.

But if it were engineered right, I mean in such a way that in the event some good could be seen to flow from it.

For us?

Hm.

And what of France?

I can only guess.

All foreign policy is a matter of guesswork.

But the object of diplomacy is to take the guesswork out, I need a little time.

Well, we've got time.

We're exploring only, we're not committed.

There's a certain commitment already. We've exchanged letters, memoranda, albeit confidential.

We can always draw back.

We are merely seeking ways of further cooperation.

King Edward will be here next month on his way to Marion Bard.

Will you broach the subject?

I'll leave that to my emperor.

Ah, but what will you tell your emperor to leave it to me?

Oh so between you yourself very little?

Nothing at all.

I think you're wise.

Goodbye Baron.

Goodbye.

I can find my way out.

Steve!

Steve!

Steve!

Steve!

What are you doing in Marion Bard?

Oh taking the water, sir. Like you?

Well I hope they're doing you more good than they do me then.

You know Mr. Trimossel?

Baronys Zoski?

Gentlemen, we're commandant.

Times corresponded in the innard.

He's got more rumors than a girl's dormitory.

I get all my rumors from Steve.

The cabinet never understands why I'm so well informed.

Well what have you got for us today then?

I warn you Mr. Seed, my appetite is not to be trifled with.

The spoil my lunch with the fact but not with the rumor.

Oh facts are just steeds rumors with hindsight.

I've got nothing worth spoiling your lunch for today, sir.

Good.

You just appoint me, Steve.

Here are these two brilliant foreign ministers of France and Russia who think they know everything.

Can't we shake them up even a little bit?

I might have my class here, sir.

Oh I can't accept that.

You put the Times reputation at stake.

You gambling man Mr. Seed.

Here's 20 croners as you can't tell us anything we haven't heard already.

That'll buy you a very good lunch.

Oh but it's too easy.

Mr. Seed could just pluck a rumor straight out of the air.

Oh.

He's too much the professional.

Well then we could say that we've heard it.

You may but I wouldn't want to.

Well, Steve.

I tell you what, I'll put up Steve's stake money.

No, no.

Steve or nothing.

Besides, you promised the British press as I remember that you wouldn't gamble anymore.

Well?

Well you nothing to tell us, Steve.

Can't manage even a small one.

Well if it's only a small one, what about this?

The Austrian emperor is contemplating the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thanks for the lunch.

Sir, gentleman.

I think there's any truth in it.

Oh no, I can't believe it.

I've just had talks with the emperor of Austria.

He would have mentioned it.

Have you heard it better?

Of course not.

But it might be true.

It's clear they'll try it one day.

I can't believe it would upset the piece of Europe.

Why?

Because the Serbs would never accept it.

And if they wouldn't, would Russia?

It would depend on how it was done I suppose.

Part of a general settlement?

A settlement might do for us what the motor does for the pricks.

Not only keeps them together, it also keeps them apart.

Damn your wick of steam.

Spal my lunch out roll.

I am convinced that the new Turkish government plans to give a measure of independence to Bosnia and Herzegovina

and that they have already summoned Bosnia representatives to Constantinople to open discussions.

You may feel that this has some bearing upon the date when you intend to make your next move.

Does it?

It amounts to this, Your Majesty.

If our ambassador in Constantinople is correct, and I think he is,

then unless we announce the annexation soon we shouldn't be able to announce it at all without seeming to put the clock back.

It will upset the Kaiser.

Well, we must at least be sure of Russian support.

Do you think that Britain and France will agree to the opening of the Dardin elch?

That's his Valskis problem, not ours.

But we've agreed to support him.

Always shall support him.

If it ever comes to a conference.

I see.

You'll think it won't.

I think it might not.

But then Russia will have given away something for nothing.

All they'll still have our support for their half of the bargain.

But of course the opening of the Dardin els doesn't depend on us alone.

Britain and France must agree.

So is Valskis position hinges on his belief that they will agree?

Of course.

Is it yours?

No.

But it's for Valskis to make his assessments and for me to make mine.

Well, I think we should have it clear.

I think that you should see him again.

And before we move.

He's at Carl's bad, I believe, with his wife.

I'll telephone him and ask for a meeting.

It was from Arentar.

He wants me to meet him.

Oh, Sasha, where?

At Book La Castle.

It's not far.

He's coming from Vienna himself.

You said no business on this trip.

Something has come up.

I'll be back in a day or so.

Couldn't it have waited till I went home?

He seemed anxious to meet.

I think I know why.

Oh, that man.

I don't like him.

You mean he didn't fall head over heels in love with you when you met?

His opinion of me is of no interest.

I could have charged him if I wanted to.

I just didn't want to drive.

Besides, he's Jewish.

And I don't like them.

A Jewish grandfather, that's all.

He's the same thing.

Nothing of the kind.

A drop of Jewish blood can add spice to the mixture.

Like the drop of Georgian and you.

I must go and pack.

More brandy?

Thank you.

Let's sit by the fire.

Well, if the situation is as pressing as you think...

What's this?

A summary of what we talked about this afternoon.

And agreed.

Just a few headings on a piece of paper.

I see.

Hmm.

You were busy before dinner.

You wanted all in writing?

Don't you?

Well, I hadn't thought.

Of course such a document could never be made public.

Of course not.

Then why bother to write it down?

Because my dear Baron, my government will say to me...

That Baron Errantal may have washed his hands of the whole thing...

as soon as he left the room.

And vice versa, your government will say the same to you.

But if the document could never be made public...

what force could it lend to our agreement?

It convinces our respective masters...

that you and I have reached an understanding.

Without it.

They won't even know that.

It states simply that at any conference...

called to discuss a crisis in the Balkans...

Russia will support your demand for the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina...

and Austria will support our demand...

for the opening of the Dardanell.

It says nothing about Serbia.

Well, I can't speak for the Serbs.

No, no, of course.

But Serbia has a special interest in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

They're the same people.

Slabs.

Serbia expects to inherit Bosnia when the Turkish Empire collapses.

Then she will be disappointed.

You think then there will be no Russian support for Serbia?

We won't stand by and see them beaten to their knees.

Don't...

won't come to that.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Won't come to that.

No.

It's another problem altogether.

Serbia may insist on compensation.

I'd like your assurance that you won't support them.

In writing.

Well, since we're putting things in writing...

I think it's best that we both know from the beginning...

not only what to expect from each other, but also...

of what not to expect.

But surely you know it might give us room for maneuver.

Some compensation for Serbia agreed between us mentioned at the right time.

Could bring the pot off the boil.

We may consider compensation to Turkey, but never to Serbia.

She has no rightful claim.

But she has, as you say, expectations.

She may expect a moon for all I care. She won't get it.

Let me put it this way.

If the Russian government should decide to support a Serbian claim for compensation...

one of three things would happen.

Either we should be forced to pay, which would humiliate us.

Or Russia would be forced to back down, which would humiliate her.

Or there would be war.

Isn't it our duty, as statesmen, to prevent our governments from finding themselves in that position?

Well, if you insist.

Write it in.

No compensation.

When do you envisage the announcement of the annexation?

I shall need some time to prepare the ground for a conference.

Oh, and about a month.

I suppose one should make appropriate noises.

Well, at least I can return to Carlsbad and finish off my little cure.

My wife, at least, will be pleased.

Then I must seek Clemence in Paris and Grey in London...

to get their support for a conference.

Anything that affects the balance in the Mediterranean worries France...

Russia and France are treaty powers now. This attitude is years out of date.

Public opinion is years out of date, but what can you do?

Governments can't run too far ahead.

They constrain at the least, but they can't jerk it free and run off.

Are you saying bluntly that we get no support from France for opening up the Darden Ells to our fleet?

Baron, all this was settled by the Treaty of Berlin 30 years ago.

You're asking for a revision of that treaty?

I cannot see you getting it.

Because of the other signatory powers? Or because of France?

Have you considered the effect on Austria if we agreed to a Russian demand for a revision of the treaty?

Austria won't make trouble.

That's not my reading of the situation.

Well, but it's mine. Eren Taal is not one of the old school. He recognises that we have a case.

Have you heard talks with Eren Taal?

We've spoken about it.

What does that mean?

It means what it says. We've discussed it.

Have you reached some kind of agreement?

Well, of course not. What do you take me for?

Because if you had, and it was on the basis of our agreement to the opening of the Darden Ells,

I should have advised you to withdraw from such an agreement with the utmost speed.

Hmm.

But that clearly is unnecessary.

You'd give no support then to a conference on the Balkans.

Why? Is that a crisis?

Yes. Yes, monsieur prezito.

I have him with me now.

I see. Yes, I'll tell him.

I'll be over in half an hour.

Incredible.

What do you carry on your watch, Jena Crystal Ball?

That was President Falier.

The Austrian ambassador has just presented him with a letter from the emperor Franz Josef.

It announces the annexation of Bosnia and Hernárica Govina,

and implies that Russia will concur.

But that's impossible.

Is it?

Didn't you say in Mary Embadge you thought it likely, and that you might support it?

Well, there'll have to be a conference now.

For what?

What to discuss the crisis? What else?

My dear Baron, don't you understand?

The announcement is not a declaration of intent.

The annexation has taken place.

Bosnia and Hernárica Govina have been incorporated into the Austrian empire.

Your face with an accomplished fact is not a bargaining position.

That Jew! That awful Jew!

He promised me four weeks before he would move.

Can you ever do business with these people?

Mr. Rizwolsky, I think it's less a matter of his religion than his temperate.

Hernárica's either been hasty or he's misunderstood the nature of your talks.

Misunderstood.

There's nothing that trickster misunderstands except the nature of honor.

He's put me in an unspeakable position.

He's thrown a bomb at my feet and run off down the street.

Did you agree nothing of the truth?

Did you agree nothing at all at Buffalo Castle?

My dear Grey, there was no hard agreement.

I told you would I make an agreement with Erontal on the subject of the Balkans without first consulting Britain and France.

That you discussed Bosnia?

Well, of course we discussed Bosnia.

How could one not discuss Bosnia, Herzegovina?

You didn't agree to recognize the annexation?

Not even the barest possibility of an annexation.

Except as part of some general settlement, that some indefinite future date.

Are you telling me that foreign ministers cannot have talks about talks?

Well, what are you suggesting?

A conference?

Yes.

A conference?

Who wore Austria up before a court of nations to answer her actions?

To discuss her violations of her treaty obligations.

Do you think my government will just tamely accept the situation?

Without a conference, I'm sunk.

Russia is sunk.

And so, if I may mention it, is our triple entente.

Well, I shall talk to the cabinet.

You must make them see our point of view, or I cannot answer for the consequences.

The Germans must be behind this.

I don't believe the Austrians would move without them.

My dear Grey.

You don't know Eren

It is intolerable.

Intolerable!

Are we to meet this appeal from the Serbs?

Can we meet it?

Are we in a position to meet it?

Of course we are not!

Your foreign minister has brought us to the brink of war with him.

Do you think there was an agreement?

Agreed something.

What it is, we're not in a position to say, since your foreign minister chooses not to confide in us.

You must write to the Kaiser, my love.

Ask him to intercede in Vienna.

It is the only way at times like this monarch must speak to monarch.

It is so much easier.

Yes.

Yes, I'll write.

What do you think?

You may write to him.

Though I doubt it will do as much good.

I think that it will.

I am sure he disapproves of this Austrian adventure.

He may, but his ministers won't.

That will not be material.

The Kaiser is the strongest voice in Germany.

He is not the strongest voice in Germany.

He is only the strongest voice in Germany.

He is not the strongest voice in Germany.

He is not the strongest voice in Germany.

He is only the loudest.

I do not think it right, Peter Akkadievich, to refer to the emperor's cousin in that manner.

I speak what I feel, your imperial majesty.

This is not a time to mince words.

We might, within the next day, be at war with the emperor's cousin.

Well, let's not quarrel.

Let's not quarrel.

Now, how do we answer this appeal for support from the Serbs?

At this stage, we must let it be seen.

We support them.

Empty gesture as it may turn out to be.

I told you, my love, this alliance with Britain will do us no good.

Oh, I don't know. It's in a story.

The Austrians would never dare behave like this.

If you were great friends with the Kaiser.

But how does one become great friends with the Kaiser?

No!

I don't understand it, that's all.

Not only do I not understand it.

I don't understand it.

I don't agree with it.

If your Majesty tried to understand it,

you might find yourself able to agree with it.

I'll tell you what I do, understand, Prince von Vullo.

For 20 years at the request of my ministers,

I have paid court to the Sultan of Turkey.

I've flatted him.

I've made speeches to him.

I've listened to his horrible jokes in his horrible German.

Now you tell me he's no longer important.

He is less important.

Because the Austrian Alliance has suddenly become more important.

If Austria makes war on Serbia,

Russia will come to the aid of the Serbs.

We like two old ladies shaking their umbrella to each other.

Russia is not prepared for war.

The French will have to come to her aid.

In that event it seems to be vital

that we should have no doubt in London or Paris

as to where we stand.

I find it very difficult to conduct this conversation

while your Majesty is so absorbed in slaughtering chickens.

You've had your holiday.

I cut it short to return here because of the crisis.

Then it's a pity you didn't cut it short earlier.

I might then have had the benefit of your advice

when it's false skills here.

As it is, I had to tell him we'd do what we could

to calm things down in Vienna.

We'll do what we feel is necessary.

If you want my frank opinion, I think Aaron Taub

behaved like a damned fool.

I agree. You should have consulted us.

But the situation has gone too far for recriminations.

We shall have to support him up to the hilt.

There.

May mean war.

We're ready for it if it comes.

Our talks with the Austrian High Commander well advanced.

And what about England?

We can't be sure what England will do,

but it's of no consequence.

Their army will have no impact on the continent of Europe.

Oh, that's true.

They couldn't even win the Boer War probably.

Do you know I told Uncle Bertie how to conduct that campaign?

And he just laughed.

It's understood then that we give our full support to Austria.

Well, if we must support them, we must.

Whatever we do, Germany, we'll get the blame.

Everybody always blames Germany, which of course means me.

Blame the Kaiser.

That's the game everybody knows.

Mr. Speaker.

I have to report to this house that a very grave situation now exists in the Balkans

as a result of the Austrian annexation of the Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina

about which we were not informed.

The Austrian and Serbian armies now confront each other

and the threat of war is very serious indeed.

A war, which if it happens, may draw in the major powers of Europe.

In an attempt to avert this tragedy,

the governments of Britain, France and Russia

have proposed a European conference to try to settle the issue.

You bought a bargain, but you got tricked into leaving it behind.

Bargain.

Everyone keeps talking about bargains.

Am I running a carpet shop in the Suks?

Near behaved as if you were.

There was a discussion. There was no bargain.

A discussion you failed to inform your own government about?

Because I was not ready, can't you understand?

Errantow, pull the mat out from under my feet.

How can you conduct foreign policy in this way?

Are these to be the new diplomatic ethics of the 20th century?

Can't one discuss possibilities without being accused of making bargains?

We were looking for a new era in cooperation between Russia and Austria.

That was the basis for the talks.

That was the basis.

But you forgot to mention the price.

The incorporation of Bosnia-Hetsegovina into the Austrian Empire

in exchange for their support over the Dardanelles.

Damn you Dardanelles, you sold out the Serbs.

All cares about the Serbs.

We do!

Russia does!

And if you'd read a Russian newspaper occasionally, you would know that.

Are you joking?

Well, of course we care about the Serbs.

But...

Times change, Alexander Petrovich.

We're no longer interested in the Dardanelles.

I've heard that said before, your Majesty, but I don't believe it.

It's not a vital issue anymore.

Then it should be.

What use is the right to pass our fleet through the Dardanelles when we do not have a fleet?

Our fleet is at the bottom of the Pacific.

Sunk by the Japanese.

But we have the Black Sea Fleet.

And we have a naval building program.

It's not an issue worth betraying the Serbs for.

And even if you get your conference, you will not get the Dardanelles open.

Oh, why not?

Because the British will only agree if they are open to the warships of all nations.

Do you imagine, Baron, that Russia will ever agree to that?

I had the British ambassador here this morning.

That is the view of the British cabinet.

We could mobilize.

Why throw everything away so quickly?

Your Majesty has written to the Kaiser.

I've seen him.

He's promised to intercede.

Give it a chance to work.

If we rattle enough sabers, we'll get a conference and find a formula.

That, I can promise you.

You're all right.

Do what you can.

Rattle as many sabers as you like, Baron, but draw none.

Or even you will see that all broken off at the Hilton.

His excellency, the German ambassador.

Show him in.

What's this?

An ultimatum?

We don't regard it as such.

It's an ultimatum twisted whichever way you like.

First, you ask us whether we will agree to recognize the annexation.

Then you say that if we refuse, you will leave events to take their course.

That's as far as we feel able to go.

You may, you will allow the Austrians to make war on Serbia.

Austria does not seek war.

And this is blundering into it.

Like an idiot.

The Serbs have a right to compensation and you know it.

The German government cannot accept that position and hopes that Russia will not defend it.

Will not defend it.

If Austria declares war on Serbia, she will have us to contend with and that's final and then won't you have.

A European war. Is that what Germany wants?

It won't be of our making.

Is this some new German insanity?

To give unlimited credit to that bankrupt regime in Vienna,

who's in charge at the Wilhelm Strassenau?

The office cleaners?

I think you'd better listen to me for a moment, Baron.

So that I may put the position very clearly.

Our government insists that there shall be no misunderstanding.

Neither the British nor the French want trouble.

They have already agreed privately with Erenthal to recognize the annexation before the conference.

So those are tales from the Vienna woods, my friend.

Erenthal will tell you anything to bring off this little coup without a fight.

But even if it were true, the British and the French would have no option but to support us if we go to war.

But you won't.

I happen to know that you have already decided that Russia is in no position to fight.

We shall support the Serbs.

And if there's any doubt in Berlin on that score, you may dispel it at once.

You will not support the Serbs.

You will withdraw your support and bring pressure on them to recognize the annexation.

Are you threatening us?

No, Baron. I'm threatening you.

Unless you do, as we ask, we shall see to it that the secret negotiations between you and Erenthal are made public.

Negotiations? What negotiations?

There are letters and records of talks. Erenthal informs us that he has a document in your own handwriting,

stating quite clearly your agreement to recognize the annexe from him.

Under certain conditions, but those conditions were never fulfilled.

The document doesn't make that clear.

What is clear to us in Berlin is that you agree to give away British and French interests without consulting them.

Erenthal.

Do you know what he has done to diplomacy?

Do you think anyone will ever trust anyone anymore?

What is certain, Baron, is that no one will ever trust you anymore.

I'll take that risk. I think I can explain myself to Britain and France.

And can you explain yourself to the Serbs?

Can you explain to them how you bartered away their rights to compensation in a secret deal and for your own advantage?

And even worse, can you explain it to your own government who are blithely demanding compensation at this moment?

Totally unaware that they have already sacrificed Serbia's right to it.

You will do as you are told, otherwise every letter.

Every document will be made available to the capitals of Europe, and you will be seen for what you are.

A cynical, unprincipled gambler who has no more regard for his friends than he has for his enemies.

Your Mayors will take a pistol and blow your brains out because there's not a government in Europe that would give you house room.

You will accept the annexation or take the consequences. Germany insists.

Germany will not stand by and see her old ally Austria humiliated.

That is our decision. That is our final word.

Dear God, alone at ticks have taken over the asylum.

So the Russians have abandoned the Serbs after all?

Yes, sir. Without informing us, the French or anybody?

No, thanks, sir.

How do you explain it?

I don't know. We suspect his volsky compromised himself in Vienna in some way and was terrified it would get out.

So after all of us, what has our entire machine?

Our poultry change in the legal status of some obscure volcan provinces, and Russia will never forget that she was forced to betray the Serbs.

I'm afraid I've spoiled your breakfast, sir. I thought that he was my cheer you up.

What depresses me, Graham, is our pathetic belief that we all know where we're going.

In some measure we do, sir. Do we?

Austria sets up to be independent of Germany and ends up by being tied more firmly to her coattails than ever before.

Russia looks for some slight prestige after her humiliation by Japan and ends up by being humiliated all over again.

Germany starts off by supporting Turkey at the expense of Austria and ends up by supporting Austria at the expense of Turkey. Does it make sense?

It seems to me the more surely we set our course northeast, the more surely we end up by going southwest.

I don't think we're as helpless as all that, sir.

I tell you, Graham, I'm tired.

For years I've tripped all over Europe for you politicians.

And I tell you, I don't think it makes a damn bit of difference what we do.

You take two gloomy views here.

After all, if Germany and Austria are closest together now, we are much closer to Russia and France than anyone would have thought possible five years ago.

That's a comfort.

Is it?

Haven't you just drawn the future battle lines of Europe?

Oh, I hope not, sir.

Nope.