THE U-BOAT WARFARE 1 My appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs was thought by many to indicate that the Emperor Charles was carrying out the political wishes of his uncle, Ferdinand.

Although it had been the Archduke's intention to have made me his Minister for Foreign Affairs, my appointment to the post by the Emperor Charles had nothing to do with that plan.

It was due, above all, to his strong desire to get rid of Count Burian and to the lack of other candidates whom he considered suitable.

The Red Book that was published by Count Burian after the outbreak of war with Roumania may have attracted the Emperor's attention to me.
Although the Emperor, while still Archduke, was for several years my nearest neighbour in Bohemia--he was stationed at Brandeis, on the Elbe--we never became more closely acquainted.

In all those years he was not more than once or twice at my house, and they were visits of no political significance.