July 1914: Countdown to War
“Keeping a secret of this magnitude was not easy for a sociable man like Berchtold, who had never been known for message discipline. He remained unaware that Lützow, an old friend, had betrayed him to the British ambassador (and via him, to the Russians). As far as Berchtold knew as he awoke on Sunday morning, Austria had kept the other powers entirely in the dark—even the Germans, who had been told nothing more since Berchtold had informed Ambassador Tschirschky of Tisza’s conversion on Tuesday..., 14 July. So long as Tisza stayed true to his word, on Sunday the Ministerial Council could finally draft the text of a forty-eight-hour ultimatum to Serbia, behind which the imperial government would stand united. The note could then be dispatched to the Austrian legation in Belgrade anytime in the next four days, so long as it was under seal, with strict instructions not to be opened until Thursday, 23 July.
Despite the appearance of success so far, Berchtold was taking no chances on Sunday.MoreLess
Despite the appearance of success so far, Berchtold was taking no chances on Sunday.MoreLess
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