German - Russian high politics before WW1

[vorosilov]

These are the letters sent by Willy to Nicky.
Who were they? Nicky and Willy? You will find it out.


Neues Palais, 8/XI/94

My dear Nicky

The heavy and responsible task for which Providence has destinied you has come upon you with the suddeness of a surprise, through the so unexpected and untimely death of your dear lamented father.1 These lines are to express my fullest and warmest sympathy with you and your Alix 2 and your poor distressed mother.3 I can well understand the feelings which must have agitated your heart in witnessing the ebbing away of the life of your father, as his illness and sudden passing away was so very like my own dear Papa's;4 with whose character and kind geniality the late Czar had so many likness. My prayers to God for you and your happiness are unceasing. May heaven comfort you in your grief and give you strength for your heavy duties, and may a long and peaceful reign give you the opportunity of looking after the welfare of your subjects. The sympathy and real grief at the so untimely end of your lamented father in my country will have shown you how strong the monarchical instinct is and how Germany feels for you and your subjects. As former you will always find me the same in undiminished friendship and love to you. What our political ideals are we both know perfectly and I have nothing to add to our last conversation in Berlin,5 I only can repeat the expression or you and the assurance that I shall always cultivate the old relations of mutual friendship with your house in which I was reared by my Grandfather,6 and some examples of which I was so glad to be able to give to your dear Papa in these last six months of his reign, and which I am happy to hear were fully appreciated by him. I would have come myself to pray with you at the funeral,7 but I have so much to do with administration at home that it is impossible. Henry will be the bearer of my messages, Gen. v. Plessen,8 commandant of my Headquarters, Lieut. Col. v. Moltke9 my Aide de Camp, and Gen. v. Villaune10 your old friend will accompany him on board his ship to Cronstadt. At the same time by land Col. v. Saussin of the Kaiser Alexander Garde Grend. Reg. I. will report himself to you as the new Chef of the Regiment. Whereas to your Regiment of Hussars11 I have given your name of which they will be immensely proud. In the first named Guard Regiment the person of the late Tsar was always highly venered and last Mondays the whole corps of its officers and the four Colours of the Reginal joined their prayers with mine of the chapel of the Russian Embassy at Berlin. Now, dearest Nicky, Good bye, God bless and protect you and dear Alix and give you happiness in your new married life, that is the warm wish of

Your most aff-ate and devoted friend and cousin William.


Notes
1. Alexander III., the father of Nicholas II., died at Livadia on November Ist, 1894.
2. Princess Alix of Hesse, to whom Nicholas was betrothed. They were married 18 days after the date of this letter, on November 26th, 1894. 3. The Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, formerly Princess Dagmar of Denmark.
4. Emperor Frederick.
5. The conversation referred to took place on January 28th, 1894.
6. William I., the first German emperor.
7. The funeral of the late Czar took place on November 19th, 1894. Prince Henry of Prussia represented the Kaiser.
8. Von Plessen was commandant of the Kaiser's headquarters
9. Lieutenant-Colonel von Moltke a nephew of the great Moltke -- was the Kaiser's aide-de-camp since 1891. From 1906 to December, 1914, he was Chief of the German General Staff
10. Von Villaune is probably General Carl von Villauny.
11. The 8th Hussars.


The last letter was written just before WW1.

[vorosilov]

This is also Willy's letter.




Neues Palais Potsdam 25/X/95.
Dearest Nicky

Uncle Micha's1 most joyful and unexpected arrival who just lunched with us, gives me an agreeable opportunity to warmly thank you for your kind letter Moltke brought home. He is still quite full of all your kindness and quite enraptured by your whole person and your ways. Your ideas about the press in general are exactly the same as mine, it has done and still continues to do a deal of harm and we must bear with a great amount of spite, lying and nonsense. Still the influence it horribile dictu has must be judged from the spirit of the People of the different races are brought up and read it. Your subjects and mine are slower at thought, sober and quieter in their conclusions they draw as for instance Southerners or the French. The Roman or Gallic races are more easily roused, incensed and more ready to jump to conclusions, and once having flared up are more dangerous to peace than the Teutonic or Russian Race. Again in England the Press is more the mouthpiece of Public opinion than on the Continent and goes in more for the interests of its Country.

Lobanows visit2 was most interesting to me, he is no doubt a very able Diplomatist and a splendid causeur, and what he told me was "sehr berahigend"3 about France. I thought it right to talk quite openly about France with him as he told me you had communicated with him. In one respect I took pains to show him that I did not wish to be misunderstood. That it is not a fact of the "Rapport" or friendship between Russia and France that makes one uneasy -- every Sovereign is sole master of his country's interests and he shapes his policy accordingly -- but the danger which is brought to our Principle of Monarchism through the lifting up the Republic on a pedestal by the form under which the friendship is shown. The constant appearance of Princes, Granddukes, statesmen, generals in "full fig" at reviews, burials, dinners, races with the head of the Republic or in his entourage makes Republicains -- as such -- believe that they are quite honest excellent people, with whom Princes can consort and feel at home. Now what is the consequence at home in our different countries were the Republicans are Revolutionists de natura and treated -- rightly too -- as people who must be shot or hung, they tell our other loyal subjects: "Oh we are not dangerous bad men, look at France! There you see the Royalties hobnobbing with the Revolutionairesl Why should it not be the same with us?" The R.F.4 is from the source of the great Revolution and propagates and is bound to do so, the ideas of it. Don't forget that Faure -- not his personal fault -- sits on the throne of the King and Queen of France "by the Grace of God" whose heads Frenchmen Republicans cut off. The Blood of their Majesties is still on that country! Look at it, has it since then ever been happy or quiet again? Has it not staggered from bloodshed to bloodshed? And in its great moments did it not go from war to war? till it soused all Europe and Russia in streams of blood? Till at last it had the Commune over again? Nicky take my word on it the curse of God has stricken that People for everl We Christian Kings and Emperors have one holy duty imposed on us by Heaven, that is to uphold the Principle "von Gottes Gnaden"5 we can have good relations with the R. F. but never be intime with her! I always fear that in frequent and long visits in France people without feeling it imbibe Republican ideas. Here I must tell you an example! I remember a few years ago a gentleman -- no German -- telling me full of horror that when he was at a fashionable salon in Paris he heard a Russian General answer a French ones question whether Russia would smash the German Army, answer "Oh nous serons battu à plate couture, mais quesque ça fait - Nous aurons alors,aussi la Republique"!6 That is what I am afraid of for you my dear Nickyl Dont forget Skobelew7 and his plan for carrying off the Imperial family at a dinner once? Therefore take care that your Generals don't like the R. F. too much. Please forgive my being so open but I want you to see how warmly I feel for you and how anxious I am about you, and that you should fully know what my motives are.

The next point of interest was the news Lobanow told me about Turkey; that he had cause to suspect England was after the Dardanells and therefore had revived the Armenian question.8 I confess that I was utterly stupefied at this piece of news. No doubt since Salisbury's advancement England's foreign policy has become most mysterious and unintelligible, and the quaint way in which the Fleet sulks around the Dardanells indicates that it means something there. But if they do that they violate the Treaty of Berlin and this they cannot be allowed to do without the permission of all the other signatory Powers; which they never will do. But it seems that they have some Idea or other of changing their Policy in the Mediterranean, for two days ago Malet9 on paying his farewell visit to our Foreign Office used very blustering words, about Germany behaving badly to England in Africa, that it would not stand it any longer and that after buying off the French by concessions in Egypt they were at liberty to look after us. He even was so undiplomatic to utter the word "war." Saying that even England would not shrink from making war upon me if we did not knock down in Africa. 10 I have made an answer to the effect that the British were making themselves ridiculous in this case, but obnoxious to everybody, and if they got into trouble with anybody else I would not move a Pomeranian Grenadier11 to help them. I suppose that will cool them. It is the same thing I told Lobanow. I told him besides that if Russia should be seriously engaged in the Far East I looked upon it as my duty to keep your back free from anybody in Europe and to see that all kept quiet, and that nothing would happen from me also to France, provided I was not attacked. He warmly thanked me for this. I share his fear that Japan has some sort of understanding with England and that is why it is so stiffbacked.

Before concluding let me express my most heartfelt sympathy for the I of November12 now approaching. God alone can soother the pangs of sorrow that will rend your hart on mourning such a kind father and such an excellent and good man, so like my poor Papa. May I propose something to you which I have at heart ? Considering our near relations and the constant exchange of letters and messages, which would unecessarily always put the Embassy machines in motion, would not you like to renew the old custom our Forefathers had for nearly a century and have again a personal aide de camp attached to our respective staffs? The more private and "intime" affairs could as in olden times go directly by them, which makes matters much simpler? I shall take with pleasure anybody whom you really trust into my Maison militaire, would you like Moltke? Now I shan't trouble you any longerl

Goodbye dearest Nicky, my best love to Alix and the "future," and believe me allways

Your most devoted and aff-ate friend and cousin
Willy

Notes
1. Grand Duke Michael.
2. Lobanow or Lobanoff, the Russian Foreign Minister. He visited the Kaiser at Hubertusstock on October 13th, 1895.
3. Very reassuring.
4. Republique Française.
5. By the grace of God.
6. Oh, we will be smashed to pieces, but what does that matter? We will then also have a republic.
7. The famous Russian General who before his sudden death in 1882 was reported to be the author of a plot to arrest the Czar and proclaim a constitution.
8. Frightful Armenian massacres occurred in 1895.
9. Sir Edward Malet, British ambassador at Berlin; had a special audience with the Kaiser on October 21st in order to present his letters of recall after eleven years in Berlin.
10. At this time it was believed that German agents were trying to obtain a footing in Matabeleland. Another source of friction was Germany's persistence in maintaining direct relations with the Transvaal.
11. This is a reference to Bismarck's declaration that the Eastern Question, so far as Germany was concerned, was not worth "the sound bones of a single Pomeranian Grenadier."
12. The anniversary of the death of Czar Alexander III.

The letters will be more and more interesting.

[vorosilov]

This is a very interesting letter from Willy to Nicky.

Read it please carefully for good understanding. Specially the ending of the letter.

VI

Jagdhaus Rominten 1 26/IX/95.

Dearest Nicky

My Uncle the Chancellor2 referring to the kind and sympathetic way with which you received him, has owned himself quite won by your manner, and was profoundly impressed by your knowledge about the political situation and the quiet and calm manner with which you judged the questions of interest. He also told me that you expressed a wish that I should continue the custom, which we have begun, of writing to you if I thought there was occasion for it, I do this with pleasure. The situation in the Far East has given you the opportunity of discussing it with my uncle. I thank you for the way in which you kindly alluded to my cooperation with Russia and the coaling station question. The development of the Far East, especially its danger to Europe and our Christian Faith is a matter which has been greatly on my mind ever since we made our first move together in Spring. At last my thoughts developed into a certain form and this I sketched on paper. I worked it out with an Artist3 -- a first class draughtsman and after it was finished had it engraved for public use. It shows the Powers of Europe represented by their respective Genii called together by the Arch-Angel Michael, sent from Heaven, to unite in resisting the inroad of Buddhism, heathenism and barbarism for the Defence of the Cross.

Stress is especially laid on the united resistance of all European Powers, which is just as necessary also against our common internal foes, anarchism, republicanism, nihilism. I venture to send you an engraving begging you to accept it as a token of my warm and sincere friendship to you and Russia. In the midst of these peaceful occupations and of the quiet hunting fell the astounding news I got from Paris that the French Chamber's Budget Committee -- in discussing the Military Budget propose to recall the XIX Corps (Algiers and Tunis) and to form a new continental Corps on my Western Frontier! This, recall has only been done once before in 1870 when France made war on us, such a project in the deepest times of Peace, has fallen like a thunderbolt on Germany and has created a deep feeling of alarm. This has been deepened by the fact that the proposal became publicly known the moment after Prince Lobanoff5 and Gen. Dragomiroff had officially assisted the Review of the French "Border Army" on the Lorraine Frontier amidst the energetic enthusiasm of the "Border People." This Army which the French Papers are telling us since weeks is meant for the first rush on our "Border Land" is the Revanche War! It is already 4 Corps strong against my 2 (XV, XVI). The proposed new Corps would increase the allready overwhelming French forces to 5 Corps, and constitutes a threat as well as a serious danger to my country. Of course upon this I must now began to take matters seriously. For this event happening in the moment your officers are being decorated and Lobanoff feted, whilst my attache's ears were greeted with not over agreeable remarks, has made people uneasy here and given affairs an ugly look, as if Russia would like France to be offensive against Germany with the hopes of help from the first named. Such a serious danger will cause me to strongly increase my army, to be able to cope with such fearful odds. Heavy as the financial strain would weigh on us, my People would never waver a moment to guarantee their security should this be necessary. I perfectly know that you personally do not dream of attacking us, but still you cannot be astonished that the European Powers get alarmed seeing how the presence of your officers and high officials in official way in France fans the inflamable Frenchmen into a white heated passion and strengthens the cause of Chauvinism and Revanchism.

God knows that I have done all in my power to preserve the European Peace, but if France goes on openly or secretly encouraged like this to violate all rules of international courtesy and Peace in peacetimes, one fine day my dearest Nicky you will find yourself nolens volens suddenly embroiled in the most horrible of wars Europe ever saw! Which will by the masses and by history perhaps be fixed on you as the cause of it. Pray don't be angry, if I perhaps hurt you quite unintentionally, but I think it my duty to our two countries and to you as my friend to write openly. As the seclusion and retirement the deep mourning has imposed upon you, debars you from seeing people and following in detail what is happening -- behind the scenes.

I have some experience of Politics, and see certain unmistakable symptoms, so I hasten to you, my friend, to plead in the name of the Peace of Europe; if you are allied "for better, for worse" with the French, well then, keep those damned rascals in order and make them sit still, if not then don't let your Men who go to France make the French believe that you are allied and get reckless and turn their heads till they lose them, and we have to fight in Europe instead for it against the East. I think of the awful responsibility for the shocking bloodshed! Now Goodbye dearest Nicky, best love to dear Alix and believe me

Ever your most devoted and faithful friend and Cousin

Willy
I.R.6

Notes
1. In East Prussia, near the Russian frontier, where the Kaiser had a shooting box.
2. Prince von Hohenlohe, who succeeded Caprivi on October 28th, 1894. He had come to Petrograd on September l0th.
3. The artist was Professor Knackfuss of Cassel.
4. The Committee was at this time considering the formation of a Colonial Army.
5. Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was sent together with Dragomiroff by the Czar to the French Army maneuvers in the neighborhood of Mirecourt in September, 1895.
6. Imperator Rex.
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Willy warned Nicky in 1895 about the dangers of the Russian - French alliance. Willy was indeed pissed off on Nicky. Nicky didn't listen to his cousin.