Quote#Sadness
This evening I have most energetically declared to the Viennese…
Quote byTheobald von Bethmann Hollweg · 1856–1921
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Remarks to Lerchenfeld (30 July 1914), as recorded in Lerchenfled to Hertling (30 July 1914), quoted in Konrad H. Jarauschl, ‘The Illusion of Limited War: Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg's Calculated Risk, July 1914’, Central European History, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Mar., 1969), p. 70.
English (original)
This evening I have most energetically declared to the Viennese cabinet that Germany will not swim in Austria's wake in the Balkans. Should Vienna reply affirmatively I still do not despair for peace. Sad to say, through quasi-elemental forces and the persistent poisoning of relations among the cabinets, a war desired by no one might be unleashed.
— Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg
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