![[WORLD WAR I] GEORGE V (1865-1936)]. Telegram, signed in print (“George”) to Prince Henry of Prussia. London, 30 July 1914.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0364_001(world_war_i_george_v_telegram_signed_in_print_to_prince_henry_of_pruss062013).jpg?w=1)
![[WORLD WAR I] GEORGE V (1865-1936)]. Telegram, signed in print (“George”) to Prince Henry of Prussia. London, 30 July 1914.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0364_000(world_war_i_george_v_telegram_signed_in_print_to_prince_henry_of_pruss031857).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY FROM THE FORBES COLLECTION
[WORLD WAR I] GEORGE V (1865-1936)]. Telegram, signed in print (“George”) to Prince Henry of Prussia. London, 30 July 1914.
Details
[WORLD WAR I] GEORGE V (1865-1936)]. Telegram, signed in print (“George”) to Prince Henry of Prussia. London, 30 July 1914.
Two pages, 200 x 240mm. Text accomplished on strips and glued to page. Moderate toning.
As war erupts in Europe, George V telegrams his cousin, Prince Henry of Prussia, expressing his hopes that “an irreparable disaster” of a European war “should be averted,” and expresses his pleasure of hearing his cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm’s “efforts to concert with Nicky [Tsar Nicholas II] to maintain peace.” A warm and familiar letter between cousins, soon to be on opposite sides in The Great War. George V opens offering his “thanks for your telegram so pleased to hear of williams efforts to concert with nicky to maintain peace - indeed i am earnestly desirous that such an irreparable disaster as an european war should be averted - my government is doing its utmost suggesting to russia & france to suspend further military preparations if austria will consent to be satisfied with occupation of belgrade & neighbouring servian territory as a hostage for satisfactory settlement of her demands other countries meanwhile suspending their war preparations - trust william will use his great influence to induce austria to accept this proposal thus proving that germany & england are working together to prevent what would be an international catastrophe - pray assure william i am doing & shall continue to do all that lies in my power to preserve peace of europe = george =“
On 25 July “Nicky” had already placed Russian forces on alert, a step short of full-mobilization, moving his forces to the Austro-Hungarian border. Hoping to avert war with Germany, Nicholas II commenced a correspondence with Wilhelm II of Germany (popularly known as the “Willy and Nicky correspondence”) hoping to de-escalate the conflict. Their efforts were in vein. The day George sent this message to his cousin, Tsar Nicholas II had informed Kaiser Wilhelm II that he had ordered a partial mobilization of his forces. Wilhelm responded that he had no choice but to mobilize his own army. The following morning, on 31 July, Nicholas ordered a full mobilization of the Russian Army—setting the stage for the First World War.
Two pages, 200 x 240mm. Text accomplished on strips and glued to page. Moderate toning.
As war erupts in Europe, George V telegrams his cousin, Prince Henry of Prussia, expressing his hopes that “an irreparable disaster” of a European war “should be averted,” and expresses his pleasure of hearing his cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm’s “efforts to concert with Nicky [Tsar Nicholas II] to maintain peace.” A warm and familiar letter between cousins, soon to be on opposite sides in The Great War. George V opens offering his “thanks for your telegram so pleased to hear of williams efforts to concert with nicky to maintain peace - indeed i am earnestly desirous that such an irreparable disaster as an european war should be averted - my government is doing its utmost suggesting to russia & france to suspend further military preparations if austria will consent to be satisfied with occupation of belgrade & neighbouring servian territory as a hostage for satisfactory settlement of her demands other countries meanwhile suspending their war preparations - trust william will use his great influence to induce austria to accept this proposal thus proving that germany & england are working together to prevent what would be an international catastrophe - pray assure william i am doing & shall continue to do all that lies in my power to preserve peace of europe = george =“
On 25 July “Nicky” had already placed Russian forces on alert, a step short of full-mobilization, moving his forces to the Austro-Hungarian border. Hoping to avert war with Germany, Nicholas II commenced a correspondence with Wilhelm II of Germany (popularly known as the “Willy and Nicky correspondence”) hoping to de-escalate the conflict. Their efforts were in vein. The day George sent this message to his cousin, Tsar Nicholas II had informed Kaiser Wilhelm II that he had ordered a partial mobilization of his forces. Wilhelm responded that he had no choice but to mobilize his own army. The following morning, on 31 July, Nicholas ordered a full mobilization of the Russian Army—setting the stage for the First World War.