Austria-Hungary declaration of war on Russia 1914

LIX. Count Berchtold to country Szapary, St. Petersburg.

Telegram

Vienna, August 5, 1914

Your are instructed to hand the following note the Russian Minister of Affairs.

By order of his Government, the undersigned Ambassador of Austria-Hungary has excellency, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, as follows:

"In view of the threating attitude assumed by Russia in the battle between the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and Serbia, and in view of the fact that, in consequence of this war, and according to a communication of the Berlin Cabinet. Russia has considered it necessary to open hostilties on Germany; furthermore, in view of the fact that the latter consequently has entered into a state of war with former power. Austria-Hungary considered herself equalty in a state of war on Russia.

After having presented this you will ask the return of your passports and take you departure without delay accompained by the entire staff of the embassy, with the sole exception of those officials who may have to remain.

Simultaneously passports are being handed to M.Sehebeko.