Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 35. (1982)

WILSON, Keith: Isolating the Isolator. Cartwright, Grey and the seduction of Austria-Hungary 1908–1912

Isolating the Isolator

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moment when Austria-Hungary is showing signs of a desire to draw closer to France. I may add that M. Crozier left Vienna some ten days ago for Paris in order to see M. Pichon, and has only just returned to this capital. During the last three or four days since his return here he has had to my knowledge certainly two interviews with Baron von AehrenthaL

M. Crozier began by stating that he had noticed of late a very marked change in Baron von Aehrenthal’s attitude towards the powers, and especially towards England. The long and short of M. Crozier’s observations was that since my arrival in Vienna Baron von Aehrenthal had completely altered his attitude towards Great Britain, and that he was now realizing how necessary it was to have a good understanding with us. I said to M. Crozier that I thought that the rapprochement was rather between Austria- Hungary and France than between Austria-Hungary and England. His Excellency replied in the negative; he said that he was absolutely convinced that what Baron von Aehrenthal really desired was the friendship of England, and that he hoped to obtain it by means of a good understanding with France. I replied that I had certainly noted of late that Baron von Aehrenthal on talking to me spoke of England in a more friendly manner than he had hitherto done. I inquired of M. Crozier what he thought were the motives which were urging Baron von Aehrenthal to take this new course. His answer was that evidently a great deal more friction had recently arisen between Berlin and Vienna than the public were aware of, and that this was driving Austria- Hungary into seeking for friendships in other quarters than she had hitherto done. For M. Crozier the Triple Alliance was on its last legs, and it was ceasing to render any services to the parties who had contracted it. For Austria-Hungary danger was threatening from the side of Italy, and Germany was showing no inclination - or had not the power to do so — of exerting a restraining influence upon Italy. The latter power, on the other hand, was highly discontented with Germany, for on three separate occasions during the last few months she had abstained from bringing pressure to bear on the Vienna cabinet to persuade it to meet in a conciliatory manner the clearly expressed desires of the Italian people. These occasions were, first, the manner in which Austria-Hungary had annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina; secondly, the attitude of the Austro-Hungarian government in the crisis which arose over the murder of certain Italian students in Vienna; and lastly, in the matter of the creation of an Italian faculty in Austria, a question which touches Italy to the core. For M. Crozier, Baron von Aehrenthal sees that the only power which can exert a calming influence upon Italy and which can act as a mediator between her and Austria-Hungary is England. Moreover, Great Britain is now the force behind Turkey, and with Turkey Baron von Aehrenthal is determined to make peace. Again, if Austria-Hungary is on bad terms with Russia, she is driven to become dependent for safety upon Berlin, and Baron von Aehrenthal, according to the French Ambassador and according to other information I have received, is resolved to do his utmost to give Austro-Hungarian foreign policy an independent colour of its own. But to ward off the Russian danger and to make peace with that country, it is, under present circumstances, absolutely necessary for Austria-Hungary to come to an understanding with Paris and London. France is evidently ready to receive the advances of Austria-Hungary with open arms, and I gather from M. Crozier’s language that the doubt is whether we shall be equally willing to do so. He is quite convinced that Baron von Aehrenthal is just now feeling his way to see what combinations he can make for the advantage of his country should the Triple Alliance be wound up by the common consent of its contracting parties.

Baron von Aehrenthal, in a recent conversation with M. Crozier, appears to have repudiated with warmth the accusation so commonly launched against him that his policy is inspired by personal hatred of M. Isvolsky, and he declared that, whatever his feelings might be with regard to that gentleman, they would not be allowed to override the interests of the Dual Monarchy. He asserted that he was misunderstood by the public; his desire was not for adventures but for the consolidation and the strengthen-