It has come to the attention of the governments of the Great Powers in 1914 that the general public has clamoured for a great deal of time, and with considerable effort, for more “transparency” from the foreign chancelleries of those nations entrusted with the maintenance of peace and stability in Europe. In light of these requests, the Powers have sent their respective statesmen to this conference in London, chaired by myself - Sir Edward Grey - to be available before the press agencies of the continent. They will all be present from 10:30 GMT until 20:00 to answer queries regarding their actions and decisions whilst in office. In no particular order, the full list of representatives is as follows:
As ever, there are boundaries of national interest which must be respected when it comes to divulging information on foreign or diplomatic affairs, and it is therefore within the remit of any of the representatives to decline answering a question if they feel it infringes on the privacy of their governments. We are gathered here today in the spirit of goodwill and peace for the European continent, and hope that the conference will be a symbol of faith in the security and stability which the Great Powers have collectively safeguarded for decades.
Without further ado then, Ask Us Anything!
What are the chances, in the delegates opinion, of some foolish thing in the Balkans causing some sort of grad European conflict? Are not the interests of Russia, Austria, and Germany all at odds in the region?
And what of the Ottomans?
What is your opinion on neutrality?
Leopold, are you a man with many names or many men all with one name?
As a concerned British merchant in Shanghai, I must inquire: How do the assembled powers intend to guarantee the safety of their citizens and concessions in China, in wake of the revolution and chaos that grips the country?
M. Poincaré, any comment on the trial of Henriette Caillaux? Can M. Caillaux lead a government while his wife is on trial for murder?
Sir Edward, what is your opinion of The Polish Question?
My question is for the right honorable Sir Edward Grey, In light of the Kriegsmarine spending the last couple years greatly increasing their tonnage. Do you feel that the Royal Navy would be able to contend against them? And will the HMS Dreadnought be a significant part of any action against them?
As an aside do you have any plans at this point to combat the use of U-boats?
Count von Berchtold, how are you planning to prevent Russian intervention on behalf of their Slavic brethren in the Balkan states, which are currently under the Austro-Hungarian empire? What do you think of suggestions to provide an increased amount of autonomy for various ethnic groups within the empire, as a means to ward off Serbian irredentism? Do they have any merit, in your view?
Secretary von Jagow, what is your estimate of the threat from Russia? What do you think would be the best way to counter this threat? How much influence does Kaiser Wilhelm have when it comes to steering the course of foreign policy?
I've heard that Russia is partially mobilizing their forces! Surely, this is not true?
Esteemed representatives of the Great Powers of Europe I wish to inquire as to your opinions of the newer powers namely the United States and Japan especially as to their representation in Africa and China? Do you think they are upstarts you should know their place or do they deserve part of the action?
Honourable sirs--is it not presently a fact that, in accordance with that highly estimable thesis of Mr. Norman Angell The Great Illusion, the supreme interconnectedness of our European sphere in this modern day renders all prospect of future warfare upon the Continent an near impossibility, owing to the "inevitable consequences of commercial disaster, financial ruin, and individual suffering"? Are there any among you who would refute his arguments?
Respectfully yours,
E. H. Shackleton, London.
I am a loyal, patriotic British subject, yet I am uncomfortable by His Majesty's Government's continuing commitment to Belgian neutrality. It is such a long time since the Treaty was signed and the world has changed much since then. I don't want to risk British blood and treasure fighting wars on the continent for Belgium's sake. Could we renegotiate the Treaty, perhaps asking Belgium to make some colonial concessions in Africa if they insist on our continued protection?
Do you think my views are commonplace amongst the British public?
I am worried about communists, anarchists and other socialists rising up to attempt a bloody revolution. Which country do you think is most likely to see an attempted left-wing revolution?
Do you all have anything to say about Serbs? I have heard that they wear funny fur hats and chopped their king up with swords and have other distasteful habits. In general, what does your distinguished panel have to say about serbs and Serbia?
Which scenario would be worse overall:
a short war between the German Empire and Austria-Hungary on one side, and France and Russia on the other side. The Germanic powers win a decisive victory. Germany gains some French colonial territory and recognition of Alsace-Lorraine. A-H gains hegemony over the Balkans.
a long, much more violent war involving the UK, the Ottoman Empire, Italy and the US as well as the four countries mentioned above. The ultimate outcome is a victory for the UK's side, but more than 1,000,000 soldiers from the Empire will die. The governments of Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire will all collapse. The Russian government will be taken over by the Bolsheviks.
Honourable sirs, thank you for giving us the opportunity to ask you questions so directly!
I wanted to ask you all, in general, about the small nations around the world. My own is safe, thankfully, thanks to the much-appreciated guarantee the British have given to our independence and our own neutrality. But I know not everyone is so lucky. The newspapers over the last decade have told us of how the United States conquered the Philippines, and how Polish and Irish people still struggle for their own rights. And not just other catholics: the christians in the Balkans, such as the Serbs, are also being tossed around like chess pieces.
Can you sirs tell me how the Great Powers will ensure that all nations can retain their independence?
The question of Schleswig-Holstein has been answered by blood twice in 20 years and Prussias victory over Denmark 50 years ago seems to be the final answer in this.
However there was a provision in the final treaty between the parties to have a referendum as to the question of Schleswig, which was blatantly ignored by then-Chancellor Bismarck, and finally in 1907 Denmark agreed with the current frontier.
Are you - being neither Lord Palmerston, nor Prince Albert or a german professor - still able to say if any referendum might take place? Is His Majesties Government still concerned about the question of Schleswig-Holstein?
Thank you good sirs! I do have a question, as a big fan of making things as complicated and pointless as possible, do you have any suggestions on really putting the complexity over the top? Like something that will make future scholars take one look at it and go "Dudes, to far"?
Much I'm sure has been made of the agadir crisis, it would be of interest to hear from those in the know whether it was considered a success at all from the german perspective Mr Jagow