Zweibund — the Dual Alliance — Germany and Austria-Hungary united, were the core of the Central Powers, and here join hands. The bars of Germany's flag border the top left, and those of the Habsburg Austrian Empire and ruling house the bottom right.
Schulter an SchulterUntrennbar vereintin Freud und in Leid!'Shoulder to shoulderInseparably united in joy and in sorrow!
"1 The warlike operations against Serbia must continue.2 We cannot negotiate concerning the English offer as long as the Russian mobilisation has not been stopped.3 Our demands must be accepted integrally and we cannot negotiate about them in any way."
The three 'fundamental principles' laid down by Emperor Franz Joseph to Berchtold, his Minister for Foreign Affairs, principles supported by the Austro-Hungarian Council for Common Affairs. The English offer, proposed by British Foreign Minister Edward Grey, was for a conference of the Great Powers. Excerpt from the protocol of the morning session of the July 31, 1914 meeting of the Austro-Hungarian Cabinet Council for Common Affairs, chaired by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Berchtold. Two items are on the agenda: the English proposal for mediation, and compensation to be granted to Italy. The protocol was kept by the Councillor of the Legation Count Hoyos. Also participating were Imperial and Royal President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Count Stürgkh, the Royal Hungarian Premier Count Tisza, the Imperial and Royal Joint Minister for Finances Ritter von Biliňski, the Imperial and Royal Minister of War Feldzeugmeister (Master of Ordnance) Ritter von Krobatin, the Imperial and Royal Minister a latere Baron Burián, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear-Admiral von Kailer.
July, 1914; the Outbreak of the First World War; Selected Documents by Imanuel Geiss (Editor), page 320, copyright © 1967 Imanuel Geiss, publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons, publication date: 1967
Music, Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Austria-Hungary, King George V, King George, Great Britain, President Poincaré, Poincaré, Tsar Nicholas, King Albert, Kaiser Wilhelm, Kaise
