The Czarina had a long talk with me this afternoon. She was in a state of great indignation, as she had just heard that on orders from the Emperor William II. the Dowager-Empress of Russia had been prevented from continuing her journey to St. Petersburg and had had to go from Berlin to Copenhagen.
“Fancy a monarch arresting an Empress! How could he descend to that? He has absolutely changed since the militarist party, who hate Russia, have gained the upper hand with him. But I am sure he has been won over to the war against his will. He’s been dragged into it by the Crown Prince, who openly assumed the leadership of the pan-German militarists and seemed to disapprove of his father’s policy. He has forced his father’s hand.
“I have never liked the Emperor William, if only because he is not sincere. He is vain and has always played the comedian. He was always reproaching me with doing nothing for Germany, and has always done his best to separate Russia and France,[32] though I never believed it was for the good of Russia. He will never forgive me this war!
“You know that the Czar received a telegram from him the night before last. It arrived several hours after the declaration of war, and demanded ‘an immediate reply, which alone could avert the terrible disaster.’ He thus tried to deceive the Czar once more, unless the telegram was kept back at Berlin by those who were bent on war in any case.”
_Tuesday, August 4th._--Germany has declared war on France and I hear that Switzerland also has mobilised. I have been to the Legation to get the orders for my ultimate departure.
_Wednesday, August 5th._--I met the Czar in the park. He told me with immense pleasure that, as a result of the violation of the neutrality of Belgium, England has joined the great cause. The neutrality of Italy seems assured as well.
We have already won a great diplomatic victory. Military victory will follow, and, thanks to the help of England, it will come sooner than we think. The Germans have against them the whole of Europe, with the exception of Austria. Their insolence and despotism have at last been too much even for their allies. Look at the Italians!
This evening I had another long talk with the Czarina, who will not hear of my leaving for Switzerland.