In fact, a few weeks before the catastrophe at Sarajevo the prevailing state of affairs showed almost an improvement in the relations between Vienna and Belgrade.
But it was the calm before the storm.

On June 28 the veil was rent asunder, and from one moment to the next a catastrophe threatened the world.

The stone had started rolling.
At that time I was ambassador to Roumania.

I was therefore only able from a distance to watch developments in Vienna and Berlin.
Subsequently, however, I discussed events in those critical days with numerous leading personalities, and from all that I heard have been able to form a definite and clear view of the proceedings.

I have no doubt whatever that Berchtold, even in his dreams, had never thought of a world war of such dimensions as it assumed; that he, above all, was persuaded that England would remain neutral; and the German Ambassador, Tschirsky, confirmed him in the conviction that a war against France and Russia would inevitably end in victory.