e touch;
of others who crossed my path without leaving any personal impression
on me; and finally, of men with whom I was often in grave dispute. I
endeavour to judge of them all in objective fashion, but I have to
describe people and things as I saw them. Wherever the description
appears to be at fault, the reason will not be due to a prematurely
formed opinion, but rather, probably, to a prevailing lack of the
capacity for judging.

Not everything could be revealed. Much was not explained, although it
could have been. Too short a period still separates us from those
events to justify the lifting of the veil from all that happened.

But what remains unspoken can in no way change the whole picture,
which I describe exactly as imprinted on my mind.

OTTOKAR CZERNIN.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

1. INTRODUCTORY REFLECTIONS 1

2. KONOPISCHT 34

3. WILLIAM II 52

4. ROUMANIA 77

5. THE U-BOAT WARFARE 114

6. ATTEMPTS AT PEACE 134

7. WILSON 188

8. IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS 195

9. POLAND 200

10. BREST-LITOVSK 211

11. THE PEACE OF BUCHAREST 258

12. FINAL REFLECTIONS 271

APPENDIX 275

LIST OF PLATES

COUNT CZERNIN _Frontispiece_

FACING PAGE

THE ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND 48

COUNT TISZA 128

GENERAL HOFFMANN 240

IN THE WORLD WAR

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTIONS

1

The bursting of a thunderstorm is preceded by certain definite
phenomena in the atmosphere. The electric currents separate, and the
storm is the result of atmospheric tension which can no longer be
repressed. Whether or no we become aware of these happenings through
outward signs, whether the clouds appear to us more or less
threatening, nothing can alter the