France break diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary

LXIII. Count Szecsen to Count Berhtold

Telegram

Paris, August 10, 1914

Received telegram of 9th August

Immediately communication contents to M. Dounergue. The Minister, having received a similar telegraphic report from M. Dumaine concerning his conversation with you, is satisfied that our troops are not on the French frontier, but says that he has positive information that an Austrian-Hungarian army corps has been transport to Germany thus enabling the latter to withdraw her own troops from the German territories now occupied by our forced. In the Minister's view this facilities the military operations of the Germans.

I have repeatedly called the Minister's attention to the wording of your reply: he recognizes that there could be no question of an active participation of our troops in the Franco-German War, that instists that the presence of our troops on German territory is a undeniable and represents military support to Germany. Under there circumstances, he has instructed the French Ambassador in Vienna to ask immediately for his passports and to leave Vienna with the entire staff of the embassy, today.

The Minister told me that, under the circumstances, my presence here could be of no avail, but owing to public excitement, might even give rise to unpleasant incidents which he would like to avoid. He offered to have a special train ready tonight for my conveyance out of France. I replied that it would be impossible for me to obtain instructions from you by tonight, but in view of the recall of M. Dumaine, I begged him to have my passports handed to me.