Everyone had lost confidence in him, and the most strenuous exertions of the people could neither be expected nor obtained if the command were handed to generals who were unanimously regarded as unworthy of the confidence placed in them.
My efforts were vain.
I then adopted another course.

I sent an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Archduke with the request that he would resign voluntarily.
It must be admitted that Joseph Ferdinand took both a loyal and a dignified attitude, as he himself notified the Emperor that he would relinquish his command at the front.

A short correspondence followed between the Archduke and myself, which on his side was couched in an indignant and not over-polite tone; this, however, I did not take amiss, as my interference had been successful in preventing his resuming the command.
His subsequent appointment as Chief of the Air Force was made without my knowledge; but this was of no importance when compared to the previous plans.
* * * * * There is no doubt that the Byzantine atmosphere of Berlin took a more objectionable form than ever was the case in Vienna.

The very idea of high dignitaries kissing the Emperor's hand, as they did in Berlin, would have been impossible in Vienna.

I never heard of anyone, even among the keenest sycophants, who demeaned themselves by such an act, which in Berlin, as I know from personal observation, was an everyday occurrence.