_Vienna, Saturday, December 19th._ I remained in Berlin only one day
and started this morning for Vienna with dispatches, arriving late in
the evening after an uneventful fourteen-hour journey.
_Sunday, December 20th._ I presented myself at the American Embassy
this morning and delivered my dispatches....
_Monday, December 21st._ I had a walk and talk with Ambassador Penfield
this morning; took luncheon with Mr. Grant-Smith and went afterward to
the Embassy. Later in the afternoon I went with Count Colloredo von
Mansfeld to the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Office and then called on the
Countess Potatka to whom I had brought letters of introduction.
_Tuesday, December 22d._ After luncheon to-day Mr. Grant-Smith
presented me to Wilhelm Prince zu Stollberg Wering Rode, Conseiller
of the German Embassy in Vienna, who made an appointment with me for
Thursday.
I am meeting many officials, American, German, and Austrian, but at
present I cannot, without indiscretion, state just what they discuss....
_Thursday, December 24th._ I made a verbal report to Prince zu
Stollberg this morning on the situation of German subjects in
France. After luncheon I had a most interesting talk with Mr. Nelson
O'Shaughnessy, of Mexican fame, who is Conseiller at the Embassy.
Later I went for a most delightful automobile ride with Ambassador
Penfield....
* * * * *
Count Berchtold, whom I have seen on several occasions, is a wiry man
of medium height, always grave, intent and all-observing under a mask
of stolidity. He never "talks" and seldom speaks. When he does he is
terse and speaks out of one corner of his mouth as if reluctant to
let the words escape. He is, however, noted for the most unfailing
and perfect manners. It is said he can hear perfectly every separate
conversation that may be carried on in any room where he happens to be
present, and not only hears what is spoken but catches every little
motion or hint of important matters. Such is the man whose hand struck
the match that lit the long-prepared conflagration in which the total
military casualties alone already far exceed five million.
* * * * *