Mentioning the Serajevo murders as the climax of the continued Russian
provocations against Austria, von Jagow says:
The prestige and existence of the Danube monarchy were at stake.
We could not agree to the English proposal concerning a
conference of Ministers, as it would doubtless have led to a
serious diplomatic defeat for us.
I do not intend to adopt the theory now widespread among us that
England was the originator of all the intrigues leading to the
war. On the contrary, I believe in Sir Edward Grey's love of
peace and his genuine desire to arrive at an understanding with
us, but he had allowed himself to become too hopelessly
entangled in the network of Franco-Russian policy. He could find
no way out, and therefore failed to do that which had been in
his power to prevent the world war. War was not popular among
the English people, therefore Belgium had to serve as a battle
cry.
At the end of his observations von Jagow restates his policy as follows:
I also pursued a policy which aimed at an agreement with England
because I was of the opinion that this was the only road by
which we could get out of the unfavorable situation into which
the unequal distribution of strength and weakness of the Triple
Alliance had brought us. Political marriages "until death us do
part" are, as Prince Lichnowsky says, impossible in
international relations, but in the existing state of affairs in
Europe isolations are equally impossible. The history of Europe
is composed of coalitions, some of which have led to avoidance
of wars and some to violent conflicts. A loosening and final
dissolution of old unions, which no longer satisfy all
conditions, cannot be recommended until new constellations are
within reach. That was the aim of our policy of rapprochement
with England. As long as this policy did not provide trustworthy
guarantees we could not abandon the old securities and
obligations which they involved.
Our Morocco policy led to political defeat. Happily, this had
been avoided in the Bosnian crisis and at the London conference.
Fresh diminution of our prestige was intolerable for our
position in Europe and in the world. Prosperity of States and
their political and economic successes depend upon the prestige
which they enjoy in the world.