]
A few days later the Imperial Chancellor sent to the Confederated
Governments of Germany a _confidential communication_ in which he
recognized the possibility that Russia might feel it a duty "to take the
part of Servia in her dispute with Austria-Hungary." Why, again, if
Austria's case was so clearly justified? The Imperial Chancellor added
that
"if Russia feels constrained to take sides with Servia in this
conflict, she certainly has a right to do it,"
but added that if Russia did this it would in effect challenge the
integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and that Russia would
therefore alone--
"bear the responsibility if a European war arises from the
Austro-Servian question, _which all the rest of the great
European powers wish to localize_."
In this significant confidential communication the German Chancellor
declares the strong interest which Germany had in the punishment of
Servia by Austria. He says "_our closest interests therefore summon us
to the side of Austria-Hungary_," and he adds that
"if contrary to hope, the trouble should spread, owing to the
intervention of Russia, then, true to our duty as an ally, we
should have to support the neighboring monarchy with the
entire might of the German Empire.
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