ABSTRACT
Nevertheless, the piece of paper, like its contents, can be considered as of little value so long as it is not translated into deeds . The Serbs are Orientals, therefore liars, tricksters, and masters of evasion. In order that these beautiful promises may be turned to truth and facts, a douce violence must be exercised. This should be so arranged that Austria would receive a hostage (Belgrade), as a guaranty for the enforcement and carrying out of the promises, and should occupy it until the petita had actually been complied with. This is also necessary in order to give the army, now unnecessarily mobilized for the third time, the external satisfaction d’honneur of an ostensible success in the eyes of the world, and to make it possible for it to feel that it had at least stood on foreign soil. Unless this were done, the abandonment of the campaign might be the cause of a wave of bad feeling against the Monarchy, which would be dangerous in the highest degree. In case Your Excellency shares my views, I propose that we say to Austria: Serbia has been forced to retreat in a very humiliating manner, and we offer our congratulations. Naturally, as a result, every cause for war has vanished. But a guaranty that the promises will be carried out is unquestionably necessary. That could be secured by means of the temporary military occupation of a portion of Serbia, similar to the way we kept troops stationed in France in 1871 until the billions were paid. O n this basis , I am ready to mediate for peace with Austria. Any proposals or protests to the contrary by other nations I should refuse regardless, especially as all of them have made more or less open
