OttokarCzernin, File Compilation of the "Letter-Affaire" 1917 and 1918 [Sixtus-Affere]

Page 21

English Translation

- 29 - The French Kinister-Prüsident, driven into the narrow, seeks to escape the net of lies in which he has entangled himself, by accumulating ever more and more falsehoods and not shy away, now also to establish the completely frail and untrue assertion that I would have recognized any "fair claims of France to recovery on E1 sass-Lothringen". In a moment, in which the Austro-Hungarian cannons thunder together with the German and the West Front, O hardly needs any proof that I am exactly ao kimping for your province and also willing to fight further, as if it were for my own countries to defend. Although, in view of this speaking proof of a complete community in the objectives for which We have been continuing the war for almost four years now, I consider it superfluous to lose even a word about Clemence's selogetic assertion, I am nevertheless anxious to renew You on this occasion to the full-fledged solo-dent, which exists between You and Me, between Your and My kingdoms. No intrigue, no attempts, from whomever they come, will endanger Our Brotherhood of Arms. Commonly We will force the honourable peace. Karl." I had an interview with the Nüichat Korgen with the emperor. He surprised me with the news that his prefaced remarks were not entirely correct, because he had shouted a political letter to his brother-in-law, but that he was of the same inexhaustible nature, that he had a copy and that he would show me the same. On my push to give me the copy so far, the emperor replied that he did not immediately have the same hand, but would be able to show it to me in the next few days. Eat one day later, the caiaer showed me a French letter - the alleged copy - which then formed the basis of the inclusion of Dementis. I summoned the emperor to tell me the full truth; I told him that I was the horse, which was strained by its path, and that it was wise to blindfold the horse's eyes, because then it had to atolpern. I couldn't guess the right thing if I didn't know what had happened. The emperor remained smiling, having told me everything, *by the way, may I calm down, in 213