DIPLOMATICS

At first, the tragic event seemed just one more problem in the Balkans and key leaders, bureaucrats and diplomats hurried away to their annual summer vacations to avoid the stifling July heat of the assorted capital cities. By the time the first team of power brokers reassembled to meet the crisis head on, it was too late:

1. Austrian Intrigue:

2. Wilhelm's blank check:

3. The Austrian ultimatum (23 July 1914):

4. Serbian acceptance with reservations (25 July 1914):

5. Der Tag (28 July 1914)

6. The Willy - Nicky Letters: