Or the sandwich and bad directions... From a Cracked article.

Rgr that and I think I know who this guy is in the picture :)

http://s30.postimg.org/usu6zvwc1/image.jpg

Another interesting read.
14 Reasons World War I Happened (And Four Things That Could Have Stopped It)

The Ultimatum: With the assassination of the Archduke there were demands for immediate reprisals in Austria, but cooler heads convinced the parliament to try to negotiate first. On July 5 Germany promised that if war came with Russia, Serbia's ally, that Austria would have Germany's full cooperation and backing.

On July 21 there was still no word from Austria as to her intentions regarding Serbia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Sazanov issued a warning to Austria: "If Austria-Hungary is absolutely determined to disturb the peace, she ought not to forget that she would have to reckon with Europe. In no case should there be any talk of an ultimatum."

On July 23, convinced that the Serbian government was involved in the assassination, Austria did indeed issue the ultimatum, which required that Serbia pretty much give up autonomy to Austria and follow every Austrian demand involving any anti-Austrian speech or writing within Serbia. Serbia is given 48 hours to reply.

Meanwhile Tsar Nicolas is entertaining the French at St Petersburg on the last day of the French state visit.

http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-c...-of-France.jpg


If you're in the UK, Radio Four is doing a series called '1914: Day by Day' which is well worth listening to, it's a five minute segment each day which chronicles the events of this day in 1914 as the world falls steadily towards the great cataclysm.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049z7xc

July 24, 1914: The Russian Council of Minsters announces that Russia "cannot remain indifferent" to Austria's demands on Serbia, and secretly starts to mobilize thirteen army corps.

"Europe is within measurable distance of a real Armaggedon...Happily there seems to be no reason why Britain should be anything more than spectators"
-Prime Minister Asquith, in a message to King George V

"(The Austrian ultimatum is)...the most insolent document of its kind ever devised."
- Winston Churchill, in a letter to his wife

source: The First World War, by Martin Gilbert

Corrected slighty. :yep:

Your link doesn't mention the precise letter. Do you have a link to that? I ask because the actual quote from Gilbert is "...Asquith told King George V..."

So, did Asquith write Stanley repeating what he told the King? Did he mention it to her at all? Did he actually say that to the King? Did he only say it to her?

Need input.

I believe the exact words quoted were those written to Stanley, it is possible that he could have put similar words to the King, although at that time the primary preoccupation of the British government and monarchy was Ireland, however whilst his conversation with the King was not recorded and preserved, his letters to Stanley were, and thus we can see that he wrote to her

Again you put it in quotes, as well as in quote brackets, but what are you quoting? Where from? If it's a book, please tell me which one. If it's a site, please give a link.

Oh, right, well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Crisis

But there's also

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/...0724-1700a.mp3

And I imagine, although I haven't actually read it, that it is referenced in:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Vene.../dp/0192122002

Thanks for the links. It looks like Gilbert got it wrong, but if he did I have to wonder why.

He could well have thought that Asquith was referring to a conversation he had had with the King, although given the time I would have thought that a Prime Minister would be loathe to use such inflammatory language as 'Armageddon' in front of royalty, especially given the relatives involved in the oncoming conflagration. :hmmm:

Don't spoil it. I want to see who wins