0:01:23 > 0:01:25Is this it? This is it, Foreign Secretary.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Crowe's already here? He arrived 20 minutes ago, sir.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Oh, for God's sake.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Sorry your weekend has been ruined, sir. Well, yours too, Alec.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Austria's mad. I should issue a communique saying just that.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Good afternoon, Foreign Secretary.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48"Britain says Austria mad. Official!"
0:01:50 > 0:01:52I was embarrassed to read the Serb note.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54It was like seeing a servant cringe.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55It WAS submissive.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01Serbia has agreed to practically every demand Austria makes of her. And gets this in return!
0:02:01 > 0:02:04It's a grotesque diplomatic exchange, Foreign Secretary.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06What does Austria want? I mean, what does she want?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09It is sometimes better to forget everything we think we know
0:02:09 > 0:02:13and look instead at what is, er, staring us in the face.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Austria doesn't want to talk. She wants a war in the Balkans.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19I want to speak to that idiot Mensdorff.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Get the Austrian Ambassador.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25Yes, sir.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29'I tell you, it's not often you see the Foreign Office in disarray
0:02:29 > 0:02:31'but it was this day.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34'Four weeks ago, we discovered that the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36'heir to the Austrian throne,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40'had been assassinated while on a visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46'The assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was a Serb nationalist
0:02:46 > 0:02:47'who believed that acts of terror
0:02:47 > 0:02:51'would drive the Austrians out of the Balkans.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54'But...student fanatic? A nonentity?'
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Is this important enough to disturb the Foreign Secretary? No.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00What position would Britain take
0:03:00 > 0:03:04if a conflict would break out between Austria and Serbia?
0:03:04 > 0:03:08'Well, I suppose it doesn't take much to set the Balkans on fire.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11'In Berlin, it was frantic too.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12'Austria was our ally
0:03:12 > 0:03:16'and Franz Ferdinand was a personal friend of our Kaiser.'
0:03:16 > 0:03:19There's no crime greater.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22'The Habsburg Empire had been crumbling for years
0:03:22 > 0:03:26'and now the Kaiser said that had to stop.'
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Serbia must learn to fear the Habsburgs again.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34'The Kaiser told our Austrian friends to punish the Serbs.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'They sent a long list of demands instead.'
0:03:38 > 0:03:42'We got them in London. What extreme demands they were.'
0:03:42 > 0:03:45This is an astonishing ultimatum.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49'It was obvious to everybody that Serbia could not meet those demands.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53'That in fact, they were designed to be rejected.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57'But then, Serbia DID meet them,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02'only to find that the Austrians were still not satisfied.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05'And that's why the Austrian ambassador had been
0:04:05 > 0:04:08'summoned to the Foreign Office this morning.'
0:04:08 > 0:04:10You ought to be wearing body armour.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I want an explanation.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Austria is unhappy with the Serbian response to our list of demands
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and therefore has issued an ultimatum.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I said I want an explanation, not a reiteration of the absurd
0:04:21 > 0:04:24sequence of events of the last 12 hours.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Austria is unhappy. That IS the explanation.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Were you surprised by the compliance of the Serbian government?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35But we don't see it as a compliance.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39They will extradite any government official you wish to charge
0:04:39 > 0:04:41in connection with the assassination.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Censor their newspapers, overhaul their school curriculum,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48punish anyone who denigrates your royal family.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Er, do you want me to go on?
0:04:50 > 0:04:54We see these things more like...cosmetic.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56But you asked for them!
0:04:56 > 0:05:01And you didn't expect them to comply, did you?
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Let me remind you of how post-Napoleonic diplomacy works.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Are you listening?
0:05:07 > 0:05:08I am all ears.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12We statesmen, we occasionally conceal things
0:05:12 > 0:05:16from each other, we dissemble, we act hypocritically
0:05:16 > 0:05:22when consistency or sincerity would be either dangerous or hurtful.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27We don't always tell the whole truth, but we don't exactly lie.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32But what we've never done is pretend the other fellow is a fool.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Or that black is white when everyone can see that it isn't.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Because if we did that, the whole system,
0:05:38 > 0:05:42the concert that has kept the peace in Europe,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46kept even the superannuated Austrian Empire afloat...
0:05:46 > 0:05:49would begin to break down.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53We don't regard it as compliance.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03You must have loved the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We did.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06I mean, really loved him.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08He was the heir to our throne.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Heir to the throne! He was despised in Vienna.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14His poor Czech wife even more so.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17They treated her like a waitress.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18Look, I'm serious. They did.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I thought you said the Serbs had bent over backwards.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Vienna wants humiliation.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31And bending over backwards ISN'T humiliating?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33You should try it one day, Winston.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36And if I were you, I'd start watching Russia now.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Humiliating little Serbia is one thing.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Humiliating her protector is quite another.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48She's right about that.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Be careful of Winston. He's smelling blood.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Why is Vienna suddenly unafraid of Russia? That is the question.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I disagree.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57With what?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I think it's the wrong question.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00You don't want to hear my answer.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Oh, yes. I know your answer.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Which is that Austria is acting as if Russia doesn't exist,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08because she's already taken out an insurance policy in Berlin.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11An insurance policy?
0:07:11 > 0:07:16You think Austria and Germany are in cahoots over this?
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Your evidence?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Winston, I can see what Edward's getting at.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23We don't yet know what the Germans think of this latest
0:07:23 > 0:07:26development and it's always been a point of principle in this country
0:07:26 > 0:07:29not to reduce everything to the workings of the alliances.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32That way the logic of war always gets the upper hand.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37It's my sense that Austria cannot see beyond her quarrel with Serbia.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40It's what happens to great powers when they shrink.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42The world shrinks with them
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and then they cease to think about consequences.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49You don't believe that Austria's alliance with Germany means anything?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Don't be obtuse, Winston. No-one has said that.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54I would like to propose a round-table conference
0:07:54 > 0:07:56here in London,
0:07:56 > 0:08:01to be attended by the ambassadors of the disinterested parties.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06If we start talking, Austria will be forced to join the conversation.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11How many days do we have before Austria actually declares war?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Well, that depends on the state of their army
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and how well they've digested this year's conscripts.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Perhaps, well, four days, maybe a week.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24It's crucial for Germany to be involved in any conference.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Unthinkable without her.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28You can manage that?
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I believe so. We have more than a few carrots to offer.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33There should be a stick too.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40You will discover tomorrow morning that Winston Churchill
0:08:40 > 0:08:45has ordered the entire fleet to remain at Spithead.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46I see.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47It's a precautionary thing.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I mean, the ships are there already for the Grand Naval Review,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52as you know.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54They just haven't gone home.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57You don't have to threaten us into a conference, Edward.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58I know that.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Germany is open to the idea of a collective solution
0:09:01 > 0:09:03to the Balkan problem.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It is an opportunity, I think, for Britain
0:09:05 > 0:09:07and Germany to cooperate at last.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Hmm... Austria will have to suspend its military operations first.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Naturally. But if...WHEN that happens,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21I will be prepared to host a peace conference straightaway.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25And I will inform my government straightaway.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Thank you.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31I ought to say, Max, there is an opinion amongst us
0:09:31 > 0:09:36that a possible reason for Austria's reckless behaviour
0:09:36 > 0:09:40is the tacit support she enjoys from Germany.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45I can see how the impression might have arisen
0:09:45 > 0:09:48amongst some of you.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Vienna may have got used to us backing them
0:09:51 > 0:09:56and perhaps that has made them
0:09:56 > 0:09:57as they are. Reckless.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Your superior said so.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05And I will admit that possibility, but of course, that is
0:10:05 > 0:10:09quite a different thing from saying she receives our encouragement.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18What is it?
0:10:18 > 0:10:23I admire Prince Lichnowsky and I think he's sincere.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27I know that sentence. It's always followed by its opposite.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Oh, come on, Crowe.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Tell me why I shouldn't place my faith in Lichnowsky.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I'm not sure Berlin listens to him.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39'He was listened to.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44'Lichnowsky had Edward Grey's confidence, after all.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50'But was he respected?'
0:10:51 > 0:10:53KNOCK AT DOOR
0:10:53 > 0:10:54Yes, please?
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Excuse me, sir...
0:10:55 > 0:10:58'Not by our Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg.'
0:10:58 > 0:11:00From our ambassador in London, sir.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04This has just arrived?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Yes, sir, seven minutes ago.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10'They agreed on so little.'
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Get me the Foreign Minister. Yes, sir.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Of course, it's a perfectly reasonable proposal.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Grey is a reasonable man.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22If I were in his position,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26I would propose an international tribunal, too.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Perhaps we should accept.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Say that again?
0:11:33 > 0:11:34We should accept.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Would you like to explain to the Kaiser when he gets back
0:11:37 > 0:11:39from his holiday tomorrow, what has happened to his plan?
0:11:40 > 0:11:45"Not a crashing military victory for our Austrian ally, Your Majesty,
0:11:45 > 0:11:50"but a diplomatic triumph for Sir Edward Grey and the British."
0:11:50 > 0:11:52No, I would not want to be the one to say that.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54And that's why it will not be said.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02We must therefore reject Edward Grey's offer.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Something to the effect that Austria would find it... Insupportable?
0:12:10 > 0:12:11"Humiliating".
0:12:12 > 0:12:16It would be humiliating for a great power like Austria
0:12:16 > 0:12:20to be subjected to the decisions of an international tribunal.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25But what if the Austrians agree to Grey's proposal?
0:12:25 > 0:12:26They won't.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28You seem very sure.
0:12:28 > 0:12:29We won't let them.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33But tell Lichnowsky we are sympathetic to the idea.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36He'll want to cultivate it anyway.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39We can use him to get the English off our backs for 48 hours or so.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48And the Kaiser?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52There is no proposal from Britain.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55There never has been.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13'Kaiser Wilhelm knew nothing of the diplomatic events
0:13:13 > 0:13:14'of the past two weeks.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19'He'd been on his vacation...'
0:13:19 > 0:13:21GUNSHOTS
0:13:21 > 0:13:23'..looking at the Norwegian fjords.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:28'The world he expected to return to
0:13:28 > 0:13:33'was one in which Serbia had been handsomely crushed by Austria
0:13:33 > 0:13:36'while our most feared enemy, Russia,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39'stood staring at a brilliant fait accompli.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'Of course, none of that had happened.'
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Did you know that Norwegians read
0:13:46 > 0:13:48more than any other people in the world?
0:13:48 > 0:13:50I have heard something of the sort, Your Majesty.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Of course you have. You know everything.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54I didn't know it, though.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01It was very disappointing.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04Norway, Your Majesty?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Norway? Why do you want to talk about Norway?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Austria! That's disappointing.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12The Austrian army is still not in Belgrade.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Completely disappointing!
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Not yet, Your Majesty.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19"Not yet". I am assured by the Austrian Ambassador...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22In fact, they decided to mobilise their army yesterday
0:14:22 > 0:14:24so it's little wonder they're "not yet" in Belgrade.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26The day before yesterday, Your Majesty,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29but very late indeed, sir. Later than we expected.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Later than I wanted! GUNSHOTS
0:14:32 > 0:14:35What did I tell him, Jagow, before I took my vacation?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37You were there.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39You said you wanted things to happen quickly.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40A quick, clean war.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Over before the Russians know it's even begun. Yes?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Yes, you did say that, Your Majesty.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49And now the Russians will get all agitated,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51which I think I expressly said I did not want.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57And this morning I arrive back in Berlin to discover
0:14:57 > 0:15:00that the British have their navy on high alert. Brilliant!
0:15:06 > 0:15:07I will resign.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14No, you won't! You've cooked this broth. You will eat it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18What is especially humiliating
0:15:18 > 0:15:20is that the Serbs are now laughing at us.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26You've seen their reply to the Austrian note?
0:15:26 > 0:15:29I'd appreciate it if you left me to finish my breakfast.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40'Now, in the days following Austria's rejection
0:15:40 > 0:15:43'of the Serbian reply, we found ourselves asking,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45' "What will Russia do? What will Russia do?" '
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Foreign Secretary?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Not now! What is it? And why have you not come to me? Ssh!
0:15:56 > 0:16:00'Russia, our absolutist ally, was a perennial mystery to us.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04'We'd been friends with Russia since 1907
0:16:04 > 0:16:06'and that was a good thing in Asia.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09'It stopped us bickering about India and Afghanistan.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10'But in Europe?'
0:16:10 > 0:16:11Ready.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13That's it, sir.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14What is it?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16'Well, it meant we were now underwriting
0:16:16 > 0:16:19'the decisions of a very erratic ally.'
0:16:19 > 0:16:20It's the Russian army.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24The Tsar appears to have ordered a section of it to mobilise
0:16:24 > 0:16:27in the southern districts facing the Austrian Empire.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30What in God's name has he done that for? I don't know.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It's, it's not been confirmed yet, of course.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Well, I just have to hope
0:16:34 > 0:16:37your sources are as wretched as they usually are.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It's a precautionary thing, I'm sure.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42At any rate, it will take four weeks to come to fruition.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45But they've just wrecked my peace conference.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Well, perhaps you won't need it.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Nothing will bring Austria to her senses quicker
0:16:49 > 0:16:51than Britain supporting its Russian ally.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56How much more belligerent do you think the Tsar will become
0:16:56 > 0:16:58if he imagines the Royal Navy
0:16:58 > 0:17:01and a British Expeditionary Force are at his disposal?
0:17:01 > 0:17:02But, Foreign Secretary,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05it's the effect on Germany that's the relevant thing.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Germany wants to take part in my conference.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08We don't need a conference.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The quickest way to influence Austria is to frighten Germany.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14The best way to frighten Germany is to support Russia!
0:17:14 > 0:17:17The key to this problem is to cut across international rivalries,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19not reinforce them.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I'm seeing the Russian Ambassador in...
0:17:22 > 0:17:23It's a quarter to six.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Right, well, now, in actual fact.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28He's getting the deluxe treatment.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I'm taking him to see the Prime Minister.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Good! But I think you should know the man on the Russia desk is saying
0:17:33 > 0:17:35that you don't take their concerns seriously.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38I'm not here to please the Russian desk.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41They're turning into bloody Russians in there, by the way.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I'm an elected politician. I know that.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45And I answer to Parliament.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Of course. But do not alienate Russia over this, sir.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50If we fail to bend a little towards her here,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53she will make things difficult for us in India.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59'Of course, the thing about our Russian alliance, the awkward thing,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03'was that it tied us to this man - Tsar Nicholas II.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06'No-one ever knew what he was going to say next.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10'He was whimsical and unpredictable, as powerful men often are,
0:18:10 > 0:18:13'answering only to God,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'but capable of acting like God, too.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18'Now, the man in charge of his war machine was
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'General Vladimir Sukhomlinov.'
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Enfilade fire from this direction!
0:18:23 > 0:18:27'Here he is, re-enacting the 1812 Battle of Borodino.'
0:18:27 > 0:18:31And it was here that Kutuzov deployed the guards.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34'All part of the young prince's tuition, you understand,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37'and the royal family's general entertainment,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41'and this woman, who hates the Battle of Borodino,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43'is General Sukhomlinov's young wife.'
0:18:45 > 0:18:49No, Alexei. That's the infantry.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51You never find horses in a trench.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59'This man now had 13 army corps moving towards the Austrian Empire.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02'And this was not a pleasant thought for us in London,
0:19:02 > 0:19:08'for we are talking one million, one hundred thousand men.'
0:19:08 > 0:19:11We had to show our support for the Serbs.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16There would be a rebellion in Russia if we didn't. Rubbish!
0:19:16 > 0:19:18We both know that's not true, Count Benckendorff.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Are you saying that the Russian does not care at all
0:19:21 > 0:19:23about his Serb brother?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27I'm saying most Russians will have more luck
0:19:27 > 0:19:31locating Serbia on a map, with a blindfold and a pin.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Count, let's not forget how we got here.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Austria's case against your Serb friends is that they provide
0:19:38 > 0:19:43a safe haven for Bosnian terrorists. Well, we all deplore that, I think.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46We do have a little difficulty understanding why
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Russia has felt it necessary to mobilise her army.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54It's the same thing as you did yesterday with the Royal Navy!
0:19:54 > 0:19:55It's not the same thing at all!
0:19:55 > 0:19:56But it is!
0:19:56 > 0:19:59This is NOT a mobilisation.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02In our administrative departments
0:20:02 > 0:20:07it is called "a period preparatory to war".
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Are you impressed with those apostrophes, Edward?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Edward is not impressed.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15You see, Count, playing with the word
0:20:15 > 0:20:18cannot alter the fact that, quite soon,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22you will have over one million men at arms
0:20:22 > 0:20:24moving towards the Austrian frontier.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30You object to us "mobilising" an army that will take ten days
0:20:30 > 0:20:32to assume a proper war footing?
0:20:36 > 0:20:37Not four weeks?
0:20:37 > 0:20:42There is an old idea, William Gladstone's idea.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48It says that our two countries sit on the edges of Europe
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and if we should ever fall out...
0:20:51 > 0:20:55The lands in between should fall under the dominion of Germany.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00You need only affirm your friendship to Russia - tonight -
0:21:00 > 0:21:05and you will see the Austrians pull in their horns.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07And the Germans, too.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15We know also that our two empires
0:21:15 > 0:21:20are drawing ever closer together in Asia.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Soon, it is likely that our cartographers shall collide
0:21:25 > 0:21:29not far from the North West Frontier of India.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36It would be a shame, would it not, if our grenadiers collided, too?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42When you are so close together,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45and you are not friends,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48it is very difficult to avoid friction.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Now that sounded almost like a threat.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58Those were your Foreign Secretary's words to me, not five years ago.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Which is why we became friends.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04And why now, we have to help each other!
0:22:10 > 0:22:11Foreign Secretary.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Prime Minister.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23He said, "ten days".
0:22:27 > 0:22:31'We in Berlin were shocked by the Russian mobilisation, too.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34'That had not been in the Kaiser's plan.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39'But his Chief of Staff, General Moltke?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41'I don't think Moltke was shocked.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:44The Tsar has mobilised his southern army districts.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49That's technically 1.1 million men, perhaps a little less, knowing Ivan.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52You can always count on 10% being curled up in a ditch
0:22:52 > 0:22:53with the vodka bottle, huh?
0:22:55 > 0:23:00But big numbers, nonetheless. More than Austria can handle.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01So a stalemate?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Well, that depends on what we do.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Think of it from my point of view. I'm paid to be suspicious.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11So, then, how am I meant to know that these Russian troops
0:23:11 > 0:23:14are destined for the Austrian border?
0:23:14 > 0:23:17How can I be sure that these troops aren't being sent
0:23:17 > 0:23:20here, or here, or here, to OUR borders?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Well, I suppose in this... I can't!
0:23:24 > 0:23:28So are we not entitled to mobilise an army, too?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30For defensive purposes?
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Well, I would rather think
0:23:33 > 0:23:36the Kaiser would wish to retain that prerogative.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41It would be an excellent thing
0:23:41 > 0:23:45if Russia could be encouraged to move to a general mobilisation.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Get all her men in the field.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50We will see it one day, whether we like it or not.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Rather it happens now
0:23:52 > 0:23:55than in five or ten years' time, when the scales tip towards Russia.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Think of all this double track railway line
0:23:58 > 0:24:00laid through Poland, coming our way.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Theirs is a partial mobilisation, Not a general one.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11But a general one wouldn't be difficult to provoke, would it?
0:24:23 > 0:24:27I always expected to lose your magic powers when we deprive you of those.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30We do! We are at your mercy now.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32There can't be a powerful Russia
0:24:32 > 0:24:35and a powerful Germany on the same continent!
0:24:35 > 0:24:36One has to submit.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41But let me give you a statistic.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Something that will reduce this monstrous Cossack to human size.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48At the present moment
0:24:48 > 0:24:52the Russian Empire has possession of 4,000 machine guns.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54The German Empire has 24,000.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58We know why we have so many precious weapons of war.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Because we are industrious and we are prudent.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04But why does Russia have so few?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Once you know the answer to that question,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11you have stopped fearing the Cossack.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14The reason why Russia lacks machine guns
0:25:14 > 0:25:19is that General Sukhomlinov's pretty young wife adores Faberge eggs.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Where is he going with this? I don't know.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26So, old Sukhomlinov, who is famously uxorious,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30finds that to love his wife is to empty his wallet.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33And that is why the old general took a back-hander
0:25:33 > 0:25:37from Vickers of England, to supply all of Russia's machine guns.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38But Vickers' machine guns
0:25:38 > 0:25:42are three times the price of those produced in Moscow.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Here's another statistic.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48We have 381 batteries of heavy artillery. They have 60!
0:25:48 > 0:25:49And their forts?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51They are not forts. They are museums!
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And don't tell me about the Russian "steam roller", gentlemen.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It doesn't exist! It's a fantasy.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58But...
0:26:01 > 0:26:03But be careful.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Eventually, old Suko will be put out to grass
0:26:06 > 0:26:11and will be replaced by a moderniser with a modest wife.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12If that happens tomorrow,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16it is likely that, by 1917, Russia will have parity with us.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19Imagine that!
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Imagine a Balkan crisis where they, not we, have the whip hand.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Gentlemen.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29It's us or them.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32The Teuton or the Slav. We all know it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Through no machinations of our own, we are now being offered the chance
0:26:38 > 0:26:45by very reasonable terms, to settle that account once and for ever.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50On Russia, I have similar thoughts to you.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I've often said we overestimate their strength.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55So it was like listening to my own voice in there.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I make no claims to originality.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00But you failed to mention the French.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04The French alliance with Russia. Isn't that the key?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06A Russian entry into a Balkan war
0:27:06 > 0:27:08would mean a French entry into a Balkan war.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13And at that point, we wouldn't be calling it "Balkan war" any more.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I've just told you why you shouldn't fear Russia.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I'm too in need of dinner right now
0:27:17 > 0:27:19to tell you why you shouldn't fear France.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's not a question of fear, of course.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25You will manage France, if the time comes. I'm sure of that.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It is important we maintain the European equipoise.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32You do agree with that?
0:27:33 > 0:27:35As you say.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43'We have a political system in Germany
0:27:43 > 0:27:46'where power is concentrated at the top.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51'One of the tragedies of July 1914 was that the man at the very top
0:27:51 > 0:27:55'always seemed to be reacting to yesterday's news.'
0:27:57 > 0:28:01While Moltke's mind was turning towards a general war with Russia,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03'the Kaiser was still trying to control
0:28:03 > 0:28:06'Austria's local war with Serbia.'
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Every cause for war has vanished.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Your Majesty?
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Every cause. Gone!
0:28:16 > 0:28:18What do you call this?
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It's the Serb reply to the Austrian demands.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24They agreed to everything.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Everything. A total capitulation!
0:28:26 > 0:28:28I thought you said...
0:28:28 > 0:28:31What? What did I say?
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I was under the impression you had read the Serb reply
0:28:35 > 0:28:38before we met at breakfast yesterday.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Why on earth would you think that?
0:28:40 > 0:28:43It was in front of you on the breakfast table.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49This whole thing wouldn't be such a mess
0:28:49 > 0:28:53if Austria had simply...if things had been done
0:28:53 > 0:28:55as I said they should be done!
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You've had the time, Bethmann.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Do we change course, Your Majesty?
0:29:02 > 0:29:03No.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Get Austria into Belgrade!
0:29:10 > 0:29:14They can hold the city until the Serbs do all those things
0:29:14 > 0:29:17they now say they are willing to do! Yes, sir.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19But it must be done immediately! Yes, sir.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27Message to Vienna.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Yes, sir.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I take the liberty of submitting
0:29:33 > 0:29:37for the consideration of Your Imperial Majesty...
0:29:37 > 0:29:39No. No, no, no, no.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48The INDULGENCE of Your Imperial Majesty...
0:30:01 > 0:30:04'Franz Josef, the Austrian Emperor,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'signing a declaration of war against Serbia.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11'Look at his face.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16'He might be signing an ordinance to permit electric street-lighting
0:30:16 > 0:30:21'in distant Budapest or lifting a ban on linen trading in Krakow.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28'What he's actually doing is signing his own death warrant
0:30:28 > 0:30:30'and that of his dynasty.'
0:30:33 > 0:30:35CHEERING
0:30:36 > 0:30:39'The Kaiser had finally got his little Balkan war.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51'That evening the first Austrian bombs fell on Belgrade.'
0:30:53 > 0:30:54BOMBS EXPLODE
0:31:00 > 0:31:02BELL TOLLS
0:31:04 > 0:31:07The Serbian government has left Belgrade, apparently.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09To avoid capture.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11I see. Of course we're still waiting to hear
0:31:11 > 0:31:13officially from the Austrian embassy.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15So the international conference...
0:31:15 > 0:31:16It's dead.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Yes, I suppose so.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Can't imagine how that happened. I thought we had...an agreement.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24You've been played Edward.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27And very clever play.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30You have to admire Berlin. Berlin?
0:31:30 > 0:31:33They've used Prince Lichnowsky like a sewer.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35A conduit to send all their shit our way.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Don't feel sorry for yourself.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39You've only lost one wicket.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42The game's still trembling in the balance.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47That's true.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Do remember that affability is not a strategy Edward.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Now's the time to put British power into the scales.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58No more pretending we're just the umpire.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07I'll see myself out.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31You told me Berlin was going to put its weight behind a peace conference.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34But, Edward, that was before we realised that the Russians
0:32:34 > 0:32:35were mobilising their army.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Against Austria, not Germany.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I'm told they have enough troops to worry us both.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43They fear your mobilisation too, of course.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46But Germany has not mobilised.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Yes, yes. But they fear the speed with which you can...
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Therefore they are obliged to act now for fear of being
0:32:52 > 0:32:53overwhelmed later.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54I understand the point.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Crowe, could I have a moment alone with Prince Lichnowsky?
0:33:02 > 0:33:04You're shaken by this too. I can tell.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08What do we do, Max?
0:33:08 > 0:33:12I believe that once the Austrians have captured Belgrade
0:33:12 > 0:33:15the Kaiser will want diplomacy to take over.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17I feel I have been misled once by Germany.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19I can appreciate that. But it's not by design.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Please believe me.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Very well.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Once Austria has crossed the Danube, let the Kaiser propose
0:33:27 > 0:33:29a plan for mediation. You know, I am not
0:33:29 > 0:33:32jealous about my role in this or precious about ownership.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34I know you're not.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38No, we are happy to fall in with whatever he suggests.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40We could call it 'The German Peace Plan'.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Oh, that would be...very helpful to His Majesty.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46We are friends, aren't we?
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Most certainly we are friends.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50So, I am telling you this because we are friends
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and I wouldn't want our intimacy to lead you astray.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57If France is drawn into this conflict...
0:33:57 > 0:33:58France?
0:33:58 > 0:34:00As Russia's ally, it is possible.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Unlikely, for a Balkan question.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03But still possible.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08And if France is drawn in, it may be difficult for Britain to
0:34:08 > 0:34:10stand aside.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25He will warn his government.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Britain in earnest.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Mediation must succeed.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40' "Britain in earnest."
0:34:41 > 0:34:43'Of course that alarmed the Kaiser.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48'He thought of his cousin, Tsar Nicholas of Russia.'
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Knees up!
0:34:50 > 0:34:52'And wondered if the two of them
0:34:52 > 0:34:55'might not stop their respective military machines.'
0:34:55 > 0:34:56Halt!
0:34:56 > 0:34:59'What a sad dialogue they embarked on.'
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Salute!
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Dear, Nicky,
0:35:02 > 0:35:07we have a common interest as sovereigns to ensure that all
0:35:07 > 0:35:11persons morally responsible for the murder...
0:35:11 > 0:35:16Dear, Willy, the indignation in Russia, fully shared by me,
0:35:16 > 0:35:17is enormous.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22I foresee a time when I shall be forced to take extreme
0:35:22 > 0:35:25measures which will lead to war.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Dear, Nicky, the whole weight of the decision lies
0:35:28 > 0:35:30solely on your shoulders now....
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Dear, Willy, I shall be overwhelmed by pressure to go to war,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37I appeal to you to help me.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42Dear, Nicky. Dear, Willy.
0:35:42 > 0:35:43Dear, Nicky.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45'And on it went.' Dear, Willy.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49'Two sovereigns living in a world of make believe.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53'That evening Russia moved to full mobilisation
0:35:53 > 0:35:56'and all her reservists were called up.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00'That night Moltke sent a cable to Vienna.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03'Proceed to full mobilisation. Do not fear Russia.'
0:36:05 > 0:36:09'But Bethmann sent one to the Austrians too.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13'To open hostilities with Russia, he said, would be a serious error.'
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Sincerely, so on and so on.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21'Two conflicting voices. Whose would be louder?'
0:36:27 > 0:36:31'We knew nothing about those two telegrams, of course.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34'But the full Russian mobilisation we did know about.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43'We also knew that it meant France was now in danger of being
0:36:43 > 0:36:44'drawn into the conflict.'
0:37:04 > 0:37:06France has arrived!
0:37:06 > 0:37:09I always expect him to dance in.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11I rather doubt he'll be in the mood for that.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18'This was France in the shape of Ambassador Paul Cambon.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20'Gallic on the surface.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22'Gallic to the core.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25'But there were many in the foreign office who joked that
0:37:25 > 0:37:28'Monsieur Cambon was representing Russia too.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32'For in 1892 the impossible had happened.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34'Republican France,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38'home to the Revolution, had signed a treaty with Tsarist Russia,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40'the symbol of despotic tyranny.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42'Why had they done this?
0:37:42 > 0:37:44'Fear!
0:37:44 > 0:37:48'Fear that they might be overwhelmed again by the German army.'
0:37:48 > 0:37:50The foreign secretary will see you now, Your Excellency.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52'So now, if Russia went to war
0:37:52 > 0:37:55'it was likely that France would do so too.'
0:38:02 > 0:38:06If France follows Russia into a Balkan war it will be
0:38:06 > 0:38:09difficult for Britain to follow France.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11I know that sounds blunt.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13But I think it's important to be clear.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16So there's no room for misunderstanding later.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Germany, happily, will postpone its own mobilisation
0:38:20 > 0:38:24until we have absolutely exhausted efforts at mediation.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28But in the light of Russia's actions, we are asking rather
0:38:28 > 0:38:30a lot of them I feel.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It does sound blunt.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Ah, for a moment there I thought you'd taken a vow of silence, Paul.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38There is a war party in Germany.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41He knows it. I know it too.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45But if France throws the fat in the fire by following Russia, it
0:38:45 > 0:38:47will simply encourage that war party.
0:38:47 > 0:38:48Don't you think?
0:38:50 > 0:38:54How easy it is to be complacent about Germany
0:38:54 > 0:38:56when you are protected by the Channel.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58My dear fellow, it's not the Channel that protects us.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00It's the Navy.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Theirs is no ordinary mobilisation, of course.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10The Russian railway system...
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Is prehistoric.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15It would be quicker to get their men to the front in horse and cart.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17And therefore there is no need for us to panic.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Who panics here?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21I'm saying we should not be hasty.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24The French will be. It's their nature.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26But France has not mobilised.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28On the contrary, I received a piece of information today...
0:39:28 > 0:39:31which I wish to share with you.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35On an initiative from the French foreign ministry to eliminate
0:39:35 > 0:39:38potential sources of friction
0:39:38 > 0:39:41all French military personnel have retreated
0:39:41 > 0:39:45ten kilometres from the Franco-German frontier, as from this morning.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48They're getting some practice in. Shut up!
0:39:50 > 0:39:52The French have not mobilised.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Not yet.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57So, you are asking us to threaten someone in advance of them
0:39:57 > 0:39:59possibly threatening us?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Yes. Yes, I am.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03What are you planning?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Either Germany fills her lungs or she dies.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08This is the law of nations. International life is
0:40:08 > 0:40:10a constant struggle to breathe.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12You want to invade France?
0:40:12 > 0:40:14And then we'll deal with the Russians.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17Is this vanity?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21It won't be like your uncle's day Moltke.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24I thought as a military man you might have noticed
0:40:24 > 0:40:28the line of concrete forts they've built since 1870.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Toul, Moulainville, Douaumont...
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Very good Bethmann. You should set this to music.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38..Verdun.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40Verdun. Oui, oui, pas oublier Verdun.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Are we just to ignore these fortifications?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Pretend they are not there? They do not exist?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50We could spare France, of course, and concentrate on Russia.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55But Paris would have to agree to certain conditions.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Those, I've already outlined to our friends in London.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02You're talking to London?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05They will receive my note tomorrow morning.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21TELEGRAPH MESSAGES TAP
0:41:21 > 0:41:22BELL TOLLS
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Thank you.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Quite incredible.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Germany is practically asking for the keys to France.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41If France agrees to remain neutral in the event
0:41:41 > 0:41:46of a German-Russian war it gets as its reward from Germany, what?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48The German occupation of the fortresses of Verdun
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and Toul for the duration of that war!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53They don't seem to know the difference between a threat and a bribe.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56It's intended to provoke a French mobilisation.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57Not convinced. It is, Edward.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00It would be like them telling us "We won't attack you, but Winston
0:42:00 > 0:42:03"here must allow German sailors to take command of the Royal Navy."
0:42:03 > 0:42:06You all keep saying "they" or "them".
0:42:06 > 0:42:10How do you know it's not the work of just one man?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13And rogues have loud voices. Doesn't mean they speak for everyone.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15HE GRUMBLES I beg your pardon?
0:42:15 > 0:42:18I think we must share this with the Cabinet.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19They will be waiting, Winston.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25The German proposal is inept. Of course it is.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27But the principle...
0:42:27 > 0:42:29But the principle behind it is not a bad one.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32What is this principle, Mr Chancellor? That we stuff our ally?
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Very good, Winston.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37But the principle that Mr Burns here is talking about is one
0:42:37 > 0:42:41of separating any war in the east from any likely conflict in the west.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Building a cavity wall between the two.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49The sensible thing would be to send France a signal that we do not
0:42:49 > 0:42:53share her enthusiasm for war. That we rein her in.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Or leave her high and dry?
0:42:56 > 0:43:01France is our, our...our ally, we do have certain obligations.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03We have an "understanding" with her.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09That's putting it rather mildly, Lord Morley.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11It is an "understanding".
0:43:11 > 0:43:14That's the way the Foreign Secretary described the Entente Cordiale
0:43:14 > 0:43:16when it was first dreamt up.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20But exactly what this "understanding" entails we
0:43:20 > 0:43:23around this table don't quite know.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26There's nothing that you're concealing from us
0:43:26 > 0:43:27is there, Sir Edward?
0:43:37 > 0:43:41Please... Sir Edward is still in cabinet.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44But I could have some tea brought for you.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45Thank you.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46HE LAUGHS
0:44:10 > 0:44:13Have you been waiting long?
0:44:13 > 0:44:16Oh, only since 1870.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30For two years, Your Majesty, if we all adjust our diet a little.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33That's with grain from our own fields.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39We may acquire fields elsewhere, of course.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43You mean in Russia.
0:44:43 > 0:44:44Russia...eventually.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46He's talking about France.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50I wonder, Your Majesty, do you know how many ministers of war
0:44:50 > 0:44:55the French Republic has had in the last 43 years?
0:44:55 > 0:44:56I will not guess.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59But I am sure my chancellor here will know the answer.
0:44:59 > 0:45:0042.
0:45:00 > 0:45:05That is correct. 42 ministers of war in 43 years.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08And they wonder why their army is a rabble.
0:45:08 > 0:45:09But it isn't.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11Bethmann Hollweg the soldier.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14Your Majesty, he wants to declare war on France!
0:45:14 > 0:45:16I don't want to.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19But I think a war between us is bound to happen.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21He wants to. And I will tell you this -
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Britain will not stay neutral in a war that takes in France!
0:45:24 > 0:45:26Britain is not capable of getting involved.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28She cannot spare the troops.
0:45:28 > 0:45:29He means Ireland.
0:45:29 > 0:45:33She will risk how many divisions on the Continent? Four? Five?
0:45:33 > 0:45:35They would get swept up in the general rout.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37This is irresponsible talk.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41Gentlemen, it's a beautiful summer's evening...
0:45:41 > 0:45:44and I think we deserve some refreshments.
0:45:46 > 0:45:50You have to say it would teach the British a thing or two.
0:45:52 > 0:45:55Well, if you insist on making war on the Continent then...
0:45:55 > 0:45:58don't just send a few outriders, do it properly.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06I would ask the Cabinet for authorisation to move
0:46:06 > 0:46:09to a full mobilisation of the Royal Navy.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11Do that and I go! Oh, John...
0:46:11 > 0:46:16I'm sorry, Prime Minister, but that is gunboat diplomacy.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Any fool can make an heroic gesture,
0:46:19 > 0:46:21but let's not confuse that with, with a bid for peace.
0:46:21 > 0:46:22Hear, hear.
0:46:22 > 0:46:27Liberalism's has got to mean something more intelligent
0:46:27 > 0:46:29than pulling the gun out every time you're in a quarrel.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32It's an accompaniment, John, to what I'm doing.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34We'll keep on talking.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37I would offer my resignation, too, Prime Minister.
0:46:38 > 0:46:39And I.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45Prime Minister, you will not take the Liberal Party with you
0:46:45 > 0:46:46into a European war.
0:46:48 > 0:46:49But can I suggest this?
0:46:51 > 0:46:54We have evidently lost control of what is taking place
0:46:54 > 0:46:56between Austria and Russia.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59But we are still capable of influencing
0:46:59 > 0:47:02what is happening between Germany and France.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06That is where our peacemaking efforts should now be.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10Sir Edward?
0:47:11 > 0:47:17I should like to make a telephone call to the German Ambassador.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23Your Excellency, Sir Edward is on the Number Ten telephone
0:47:23 > 0:47:25and would like to speak with you.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35You must promise not to attack France.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37That is key...
0:47:37 > 0:47:40in the event of a Russian-German conflict breaking out.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44PHONES RINGING
0:47:44 > 0:47:47Do you understand?
0:47:47 > 0:47:50And we will undertake to guarantee...
0:47:53 > 0:47:56..that Britain and France will not attack Germany in return.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58The French have agreed to this?
0:47:58 > 0:48:00What? July.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04The French have...? Oh, that is correct.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07Then I will take responsibility for saying now
0:48:07 > 0:48:12that the German government will respond positively, pleasurably
0:48:12 > 0:48:13to your initiative.
0:48:16 > 0:48:17Sir Edward?
0:48:25 > 0:48:26Um...
0:48:38 > 0:48:45Sir Edward Grey's proposal is to be commended
0:48:45 > 0:48:47for guaranteeing the security...
0:48:48 > 0:48:51..of our border with France.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53What did you say to Germany?
0:48:53 > 0:48:55You have sold us, I can tell.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57Crowe, please, will you join us?
0:49:01 > 0:49:03I have not sold you. It is simply this.
0:49:05 > 0:49:09The Cabinet feels Britain has no interest
0:49:09 > 0:49:14in what is essentially an Austro-Russian dispute in the east.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17France, of course has her alliance with Russia,
0:49:17 > 0:49:20the provisions of which we know nothing about
0:49:20 > 0:49:25and we cannot allow ourselves to be the tail to Russia's comet.
0:49:25 > 0:49:26You have sold us! We haven't.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29Each day we delay our mobilisation
0:49:29 > 0:49:32we lose the equivalent of 25km of French territory
0:49:32 > 0:49:33if war does break about.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35Well, I appreciate France's restraint
0:49:35 > 0:49:37and would urge her to continue on that course.
0:49:37 > 0:49:38How many French lives will it take
0:49:38 > 0:49:40to get each of those 25km back?
0:49:40 > 0:49:44Paul... Are you going to wait until France is violated before you act?
0:49:48 > 0:49:50You must make your own decision
0:49:50 > 0:49:53and not reckon on British assistance.
0:49:54 > 0:49:56We, for our part,
0:49:56 > 0:50:00will continue to explore peace initiatives with Germany.
0:50:08 > 0:50:09This evening the word "honour"
0:50:09 > 0:50:12will be struck from the English dictionary.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23I thought he would be a little more pliable.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28He's distraught, of course.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31I think the French will back down.
0:50:33 > 0:50:34I think they'll see sense.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Can I ask you, sir...
0:50:37 > 0:50:41what precisely did you say to Prince Lichnowsky on the telephone?
0:50:44 > 0:50:47I, um, I told him...
0:50:53 > 0:50:55I'm not entirely sure, Crowe.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58That's rather awkward.
0:51:01 > 0:51:07Everyone thinks I have the power to invent new facts
0:51:07 > 0:51:09when the old ones become dangerous.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15They think if they tell me their predicament,
0:51:15 > 0:51:16it will disappear.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20To them you are Great Britain.
0:51:20 > 0:51:21You hold immense power.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27I am also just Edward Grey.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45'The Kaiser ordered the mobilisation of our army
0:51:45 > 0:51:47'against Russia that evening.'
0:51:51 > 0:51:55'And then, France also mobilised.'
0:51:55 > 0:51:57If the iron dice roll, may God help us.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02Trains must leave every 90 seconds.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04No delays. No excuses.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08'A million of our soldiers would soon be on the move.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11'And I would be one of them.'
0:52:13 > 0:52:16We think we are good at this. Let us prove it.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20'But then suddenly, out of the clear blue sky,
0:52:20 > 0:52:23'came Edward Grey's peace plan.
0:52:24 > 0:52:28'The one he proposed on the telephone to Prince Lichnowsky.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32'It arrived in Berlin just 23 minutes
0:52:32 > 0:52:35'after the Kaiser had signed our mobilisation papers.'
0:52:37 > 0:52:39Open those doors...
0:52:39 > 0:52:41and bring champagne.
0:52:41 > 0:52:42What is it?
0:52:42 > 0:52:44The best champagne. What is it?
0:52:44 > 0:52:48Gentleman, I just received word from Prince Lichnowsky in London.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51"French and..."
0:52:51 > 0:52:54Chancellor, you represent the civilian arm of Germany.
0:52:54 > 0:52:55You read it.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00"French and British neutrality guaranteed
0:53:00 > 0:53:04"if Germany refrains from attacking France."
0:53:04 > 0:53:07Only Russia is left in the field.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08I have 25,000 trains in motion.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10Will Russia back down now also?
0:53:10 > 0:53:11She might well do that.
0:53:11 > 0:53:1425,000 trains are moving westwards.
0:53:14 > 0:53:15They don't have brakes?
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Our forward units are about to enter Luxembourg.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24Then stop them, Moltke, and deploy the entire army to the east!
0:53:24 > 0:53:26I can't, it's too late.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27It's a command, you half-wit.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30Stop them and turn the army to the east.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Let's go!
0:53:40 > 0:53:42To England. To Sir Edward Grey.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44It will be complete chaos!
0:53:44 > 0:53:47The whole world will be thrown into chaos!
0:53:47 > 0:53:49CLOCK CHIMES
0:53:51 > 0:53:53The army.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56You said the whole world. It's just the army.
0:53:58 > 0:54:00It is simple, Moltke.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02Applaud this man's superb diplomacy...
0:54:03 > 0:54:07..and then begin shifting your men to the east.
0:54:07 > 0:54:09We'll discuss reservations once you've finished.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12Well, on with it, mobilise yourself first.
0:54:12 > 0:54:13This isn't leadership.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18You might start by getting those Luxembourg patrols back
0:54:18 > 0:54:19before they do some damage.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21It isn't.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Even with that absurd marshal's batten in your hand.
0:54:24 > 0:54:25Moltke!
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Your one good hand.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39'When do wars start?
0:54:48 > 0:54:52'When a declaration is signed? Or when an embassy is closed?
0:54:54 > 0:54:57'Or do we delude ourselves that these formalities
0:54:57 > 0:54:58'are what count?'
0:55:04 > 0:55:06'I know this.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10'Our fellows were not meant to be in Luxembourg on August 1st.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13'We had not declared an argument with that country,
0:55:13 > 0:55:14'let alone declared a war.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17'Yet, at seven in the evening
0:55:17 > 0:55:20'a detachment of the 69th Infantry Regiment
0:55:20 > 0:55:22'crossed over into Luxembourg.'
0:55:22 > 0:55:23MAN GROANS
0:55:30 > 0:55:33'They were under the command of a Lieutenant Feldmann,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36'who'd been told to seize the town's telegraph office.'
0:55:40 > 0:55:42'No casualties were suffered that day
0:55:42 > 0:55:45'unless you count Private Mayer with his sprained ankle.'
0:55:48 > 0:55:51'But this strange little engagement was the curtain-raiser
0:55:51 > 0:55:54'to an all-out war on the Western Front.'
0:56:01 > 0:56:05'Or it would have been, had Sir Edward Grey's peace plan
0:56:05 > 0:56:07'not reached Berlin just in time.'
0:56:14 > 0:56:16'Feldmann was told to come home.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19'The war in the west had been cancelled.'
0:56:19 > 0:56:20Scheisse.
0:56:20 > 0:56:24Dear Georgie, having just received the glorious communication
0:56:24 > 0:56:27from your Government offering French neutrality
0:56:27 > 0:56:30under guarantee of Great Britain,
0:56:30 > 0:56:33I am delighted to convey my own government's enthusiasm
0:56:33 > 0:56:34for the proposal.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49How does an army of several million men
0:56:49 > 0:56:52defeat another army of several million men?
0:56:52 > 0:56:56I will likely resign from the government if we enter this war.
0:56:56 > 0:56:57For God's sake,
0:56:57 > 0:57:00state the conditions under which Britain will remain neutral.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02That you do not go to war with France.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Madness. They could have saved us.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07Those German railway platforms are now half a mile long.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10German troops are heading towards the Belgian border.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13You'll be told there isn't a better time to be young
0:57:13 > 0:57:17and that you are the envy of those too old to fight.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19I've never seen myself as a soldier.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23The immense expense of blood will, in the end, be for nothing.
0:57:23 > 0:57:25It is you who can stop it.