The Ambassador, Count Tarnowski, remained in Washington, but was not
received by Wilson, and had intercourse with Lansing only. I still
hoped to maintain these semi-official relations with America, in case
America, in breaking off relations with Germany, might be content with
that and not declare war on her. The German Government would have
preferred our breaking off diplomatic relations simultaneously with
them.

On February 12 Count Wedel called on me, and his request and my
settlement of it appear in the following telegram to Hohenlohe:

_Vienna, Feb. 12, 1917._

To notify Your Excellency.

Count Wedel has been instructed to submit to me the following
three requests from his Government:

(1) Count Tarnowski is not to hand over his credentials until the
situation between Germany and America is clear.

(2) Count Tarnowski must protest to Mr. Wilson against his having
tried to make the neutrals turn against Germany.

(3) On the outbreak of war with Germany Count Tarnowski must be
recalled.

I have refused the first two items and accepted the last.

As we should not have been able to prevent Germany from beginning the
U-boat warfare, the only alternative for us was to use all means in
our power to maintain our relations with America, and thus enable us
later to play the part of mediator, although this could only be for
that period during which America, having broken off relations, had not
yet declared war. My answer of March 5, 1917, to America's request
for an explanation of our standpoint was sent with the object of
preventing America from breaking off relations with us, and also to
keep from the public the knowledge of our divergence from Germany.
This will be found noted in the appendix.[6] It met with success so
far that America continued diplomatic relations with us until April 9,
1917.

[Illustration: COUNT TISZA. _Photo: Stanley's Press Agency._]

I had a very lively correspondence with Stephen Tisza in consequence
of my answer. I received the following letter on March 3:

DEAR FRIEND,--In the interests of the cause I can only greatly
regret that I had no opportunity of appreciating the definite
sense of our _aide-memoire_ before it was dispatched. Apart from
other less important matters, I cannot conceal my painful surprise
that we repeatedly and expressly admit having given a promise in
our _Ancona_ Note. I am afraid that we have placed our