DIPLOMATIC
REMINISCENCES
BEFORE AND DURING THE
WORLD WAR, 1911—1917
BY A. NEKLUDOFF
FORMERLY RUSSIAN MINISTER AT SOFIA AND AT STOCKHOLM
AND AMBASSADOR AT MADRID
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH
BY ALEXANDRA PAGET
NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON AND COMPANY
1920
PRINTED BY
WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON AND BECCLES, ENGLAND.
Preface to the electronic edition
Anatoly Nekludov was Russian minister to Stockholm during World War
I, when one of his duties was to inspect the Red Cross trains
exchanging German and Russian hospitalized prisoners of war through
Sweden as seen here in August
1915. He is also seen here in
July 1916 with a delegation from the Russian duma visiting Stockholm.
This text first appeared in a French journal, was translated to
English and published in 1920, and also translated to Swedish and
published in 1921. We don't know when the English translator Alexandra
Paget lived or whether she has been dead for more than 70 years. The
book was digitized in May 2014 by the Internet Archive at the State
Library of Pennsylvania, from where the scanned images were copied to
Project Runeberg in January 2018 and made available together with a
new OCR text.
This volume was scanned elsewhere and made available by the Internet Archive,
from where the scanned images were copied to Project Runeberg.
We very much appreciate that they have made this possible
and want to encourage other digital library projects to
follow their example. Read more about Project Runeberg's
image sources.
The above contents can be inspected in scanned images:
pretitle, title page, verso of title page, vii, viii, ix, x, xi, xii, xiii, colophon
Korrstapel / Proof bar for this volume
Table of Contents
Title and Contents -
pretitle,
title page,
verso of title page,
vii,
viii,
ix,
x,
xi,
xii,
xiii,
colophon
Preface -
v,
vi
I. My appointment to Sofia -
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6
My former relations with M. Sazonoff
Scheme for a Russo-Bulgarian military convention
Question of relations with King Ferdinand
Audience of the Emperor; H.I.M. gives me his instructions
Serious illness of M. Sazonoff
I leave for Sofia
II. King Ferdinand of Bulgaria -
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15
His youth; his sudden rise to power
First years of his reign
His reconciliation with Russia
Relations between the King and the people; the King’s janizaries
Moral and political portrait of Ferdinand; his distrust; his irresolution
III. Bulgaria in 1911 -
16,
17,
18,
19,
20,
21,
22,
23,
24
My audience of the King
Fall of the Malinov Cabinet; its antecedents
The Turkish Revolution of 1908
The crisis of the annexation of Bosnia; complete independence of Bulgaria; we favour the new Kingdom in the settlement of the crisis
Ulterior Bulgarian ambitions dictate the formation of a new Nationalist and essentially Russophile Cabinet
IV. Russian and Bulgarian relations -
25,
26,
27,
28,
29,
30,
31,
32,
33,
34,
35,
36,
37
M. John Gueshov
M. Todorov
M. Danev; my first conversation with him
My relations with Gueshov
The Great Sobranjé of Tirnova in June, 1911
Visit to Russia of the Crown-Prince Boris; matrimonial schemes
Death of M. Stolypin; his characteristics; influence of his disappearance on the foreign policy of Russia
Visit of the Russian Squadron to Varna
Outbreak of the Italo-Turkish war
V. Serbo-Bulgarian relations -
38,
39,
40,
41,
42,
43,
44,
45,
46,
47,
48,
49,
50,
51
Serbo-Bulgarian relations; the Bulgarians enter on fresh parleyings with the Serbians
Historical statement of Russian action with regard to the Serbians and Bulgarians
My journey to Davos
An unexpected meeting
Conversation with M. Sazonoff
Return by Belgrade; conversation with M. Hartwig; characteristics of the latter
VI. The Serbo-Bulgarian treaty -
52,
53,
54,
55,
56,
57,
58,
59,
60,
61,
62,
63,
64,
65,
66
Serbo-Bulgarian negotiations
Demarcation of the “spheres of influence” in Macedonia
Fixing boundaries
Conversations with the King
I warn St. Petersburg of the dangers which might result from a Serbo-Bulgarian alliance
The alliance is concluded with our approval
Festivities for the coming-of-age of Prince Boris
Personal service rendered to King Ferdinand by H.I.M. the Emperor
Audience of the King before my departure for St. Petersburg
Ferdinand’s perplexities and suspicions
VII. Rasputin -
67,
68,
69,
70,
71,
72,
73,
74,
75,
76,
77,
78,
79,
80,
81
Arrival in St. Petersburg; violent speech by M. Gutchkoff at the Duma
Rasputin; his peculiarities become a subject for scandal; his influence
Mlle. Tutcheff
Audience of H.I.M. the Emperor
The Empress Alexandra spends an afternoon in St. Petersburg
Conversation with General Jilinsky, the Chief of the General Staff
Conversations with MM. Kokovtzoff and Gutchkoff; drawing-room gossip
Reception at the Sazonoffs’; the “Rasputin crisis” is successfully settled
I return to Sofia
VIII. Intrigues at Sofia -
82,
83,
84,
85,
86,
87,
88,
89,
90,
91,
92,
93,
94,
95,
96,
97,
98,
99,
100,
101,
102,
103,
104,
105,
106,
107
Bulgarian “activist” party; M. Danev’s journey to Russia
Colonel Merrone
Italian military circles know of the Serbo-Bulgarian agreement
Intrigues directed against me; I fall into disfavour with Ferdinand; the King’s candidates for my post; M. Rizov enters the arena
M. Schelking
A brother-in-law of my predecessor
My reconciliation with the King
Rumours of my recall
Journey to Constantinople; conversations with M. de Giers and with General Holmsen; their opinion of the Turkish Army
Political ferment in Sofia and Belgrade; my telegram of the 4th July; my warning disregarded; Kotchana and Ishtib incidents
M. Gutchkoff in Sofia and Belgrade
Prince Alexander goes to inspect the army
The Schipka Veterans’ Fête; “it is war!”
M. de Giers warns Bulgaria
Europe does not believe it
Jubilee for the twenty-five years’ reign of Ferdinand
M. Sazonoff’s apathy
IX. The Balkan war, 1912 -
108,
109,
110,
111,
112,
113,
114,
115,
116,
117,
118,
119,
120,
121,
122,
123,
124,
125,
126,
127,
128,
129,
130,
131
Mobilisation of the Balkan allies; futile protests of the Cabinets; war breaks out
First decisive successes of the Allies
Lozengrad taken
Greco-Bulgarian incident at Salonika
Victory of Lule-Burgas; Bulgarians and Greeks at Salonika; torrential rains alone stop the Bulgarian advance
King Ferdinand’s elation; his inordinate ambition; his dreams
Reverse of Chataldja
In St. Petersburg the question of the “prohibited area” in Thrace is raised; I succeed in causing this prohibition to be removed
Russian concessions
Ferdinand wishes to have Rodosto at any cost
General Radko-Dmitriev’s mission to St. Petersburg
The Bulgarians allow the propitious moment for the conclusion of peace to escape
X. The Balkan war, 1912 (continued) -
132,
133,
134,
135,
136,
137,
138,
139,
140,
141,
142,
143,
144,
145,
146,
147,
148,
149,
150,
151,
152,
153
The Serbians, having to renounce an outlet to the Adriatic, demand compensations in Macedonia
My conversations on the subject with my Serbian colleague
Serbian claims
Visit of M. Venizelos to Sofia; our conversation
My advice to Gueshov; his powerlessness
Two meetings with Ferdinand; the French Minister’s audience of the King; The German Minister’s audience
Bulgaro-Rumanian relations; the Dobrudja
Russo-Rumanian relations; M. Rosetti-Solesco; our representatives at Bukharest; succeeded by M. Nicolas Schebeko; jubilee of the annexation of Bessarabia; commencement of the Russo-Rumanian intimacy
Rectification of the Dobrudja frontier in favour of Rumania
XI. Quarrels between the allies -
154,
155,
156,
157,
158,
159,
160,
161,
162,
163,
164,
165,
166,
167,
168,
169,
170,
171,
172,
173,
174,
175
Capture of Adrianople
Quarrels with the Serbians
Bulgarian cruelties; the character of the Bulgarian people is a product of their history
I advocate the creation of a small autonomous State, embracing those parts of Macedonia which the Balkan Allies are contesting
Emperor Alexander II.’s letter to Prince Alexander
My suggestion rejected
Idea of an Anti-Bulgarian league; this idea is carried out owing to the Bulgarian faults; the Serbo-Greek alliance is concluded
The Press in St. Petersburg is against the Bulgarians
I am ordered to preach conciliation to them
Madame Karavelov; scene in the military hospital in Sofia
Peace signed, in London
Interview between Gueshov and Pachitch
My Serbian colleague and I begin to hope
The Emperor of Russia offers himself as mediator; telegrams exchanged
Conflict in Sofia about the Russian proposal
King Ferdinand’s telegram attributed falsely to me
Greece and Serbia continue to arm
Bulgaria suggests a time limit
Satisfactory outlook
XII. Bulgaria attacks her allies -
176,
177,
178,
179,
180,
181,
182,
183,
184,
185,
186,
187,
188,
189,
190,
191,
192,
193,
194,
195,
196,
197,
198,
199,
200,
201,
202
Danev’s return spoils everything
Warlike preparations
An earthquake
Gueshov leaves the Cabinet; Danev remains alone at the head
The King holds a Council; our mediation is accepted; I entreat Danev to start at once for St. Petersburg
The Bulgarians treacherously attack the Serbians
The shameful underhand play
War begins
Soldiers refuse obedience
The Bulgarians beaten by the Greeks and by the Serbians; my advice to Danev; Mission of General Paprikov and Colonel Romanowski; the Rumanian Army enters Bulgaria and approaches Sofia; the Turks return to Adrianople
Fall of the Danev Ministry
Collapse of Bulgarian Army
The King summons the foreign representatives; a ridiculous conference
Russian influence
The Bulgarians forced to conclude the Peace of Bukharest
XIII. The peace of Bukharest -
203,
204,
205,
206,
207,
208,
209,
210,
211,
212,
213,
214,
215,
216,
217,
218,
219
Comparison of the conditions of the Peace of London (May, 1913) with those of the Peace of Bukharest (September, 1913)
The question of Mount Athos; the “Monte Santo” and its customs; the Russian cenobites
Nature of the Treaty
Sacrifices imposed on Bulgaria at Bukharest
The Turks keep Adrianople and Eastern Thrace; enormous signification of this restitution
Diplomatic influences
We do not insist on the autonomy of Mount Athos
Pan-Germans at work
Disquieting situation in Sofia
Why Ferdinand’s power was not wrecked
Solemn reception of the Bulgarian troops on their return to Sofia
I am intended for the post of Stockholm
XIV. My transfer to Stockholm -
220,
221,
222,
223,
224,
225,
226,
227,
228,
229,
230,
231,
232,
233,
234,
235,
236,
237,
238,
239,
240,
241,
242,
243,
244,
245
Departure from Sofia for Paris
Bad omen
Arrival in Paris; conversation with M. Sazonoff
The Grand-Duchess Marie’s divorce
The Russians enjoy themselves wildly
M. Kokovtzoff in Paris
I go to the Crimea
General Dedulin’s death
General Dumbadze
Rasputin again
Audience and luncheon at Livadia; I give the Emperor a detailed report
Journey to Sofia and farewell audience of the King and Queen
St. Petersburg in February, 1914; “balls and festivities”; very serious conversations during the parties
Count Witte
Prince Alexander of Serbia
M. Kokovtzoff out of office
M. Goremykin
Conversation with M. Zinovieff, our former Ambassador to Constantinople
The “young people” continue to be optimistic
I leave for Stockholm
XV. Sweden in 1914 -
246,
247,
248,
249,
250,
251,
252,
253,
254,
255,
256,
257,
258,
259,
260,
261,
262,
263,
264,
265,
266,
267
Three centuries of Swedish history
Gustaf III.
Struggles with Russia
Change of dynasty
New aspect of Sweden
Union with Norway
The people and their qualities
Sweden’s prosperity
The Spaniards of the North
French influence replaced by German influence
Reasons for this change
The Bernadottes
King Oscar II. and German influences
Prince Max of Baden
German intrigues
Russian aspirations
The Anti-Russian current
Sven-Hedin
The Bondestog
Change of Ministry
Political situation in March, 1914
XVI. On the eve of war -
268,
269,
270,
271,
272,
273,
274,
275,
276,
277,
278,
279,
280,
281,
282,
283,
284,
285,
286,
287,
288
Solemn audience of King Gustaf V.
“Do not judge Sovereigns too harshly!”
Queen Victoria
The Royal Family
Interesting conversation with M. Wallenberg; I draw erroneous conclusions
My foreign colleagues
Mr. Howard
M. Thiébaud
Baltic exhibition at Malmö
The Riksdag “of national defence”
Alarming symptoms everywhere
Our incomprehensible calmness
M. Sverbeieff in Berlin
Our Ambassadors in Berlin and Vienna
Count Osten-Sacken’s warnings
M. Schebeko in Vienna
Precarious situation in Russia
The assassination at Serajevo
Another trip to Malmö; Count Brockdorf-Rantzau
Delightful expedition; a bad fairy overhears me
The Austrian ultimatum to Serbia
XVII. The tragic week -
289,
290,
291,
292,
293,
294,
295,
296,
297,
298,
299,
300,
301,
302,
303,
304,
305
The tragic week
President Poincare’s arrival
Banquet at the Palace
M. Poincare’s advice
“The torch of Bellona”
Germans determined on war
Last conversation with my German colleague, Reichenau; “the war will kill the monarchical principle”
Duties of a monarch
Colonel Kandauroft’s tidings
The Emperor Nicolas wishes to avoid war at all costs
Deep emotion in Sweden
I suggest, if necessary, energetic action in Bulgaria
War is declared
“Let us drain the cup to the dregs”
XVIII. Swedish neutrality -
306,
307,
308,
309,
310,
311,
312,
313,
314,
315,
316,
317,
318,
319,
320,
321,
322,
323,
324,
325,
326,
327,
328,
329,
330,
331
What will Sweden do?
Audience of the King; reassuring words of H.M.
France and England offer guarantees to Sweden
We associate ourselves with this declaration
Neutrality of Sweden; pacificist sentiments of most of the country
England’s decision
Russians fleeing from Germany inundate Stockholm; tragico-comic scenes
Refugees of note
Our Ambassador arrives from Berlin
Generous hospitality of the Swedes
Tales of German brutality
First events of the war; Russian reverses; the luck turns; the Marne victory; German propaganda
Our advance in Galicia
Grand-Duke Nicolas’ Manifesto on the subject of Poland
Decisive hour for the Empire of the Hapsburgs
Aims of Russian diplomacy
Neither Austria nor Russia profit by this hour
Our mistakes in Galicia
Turkey enters the war
In spite of the agitation of Germanophiles and Activists, the absolute-neutrality party gains ground in Sweden
Interview of the three Scandinavian Monarchs
XIX. Sweden in 1915 -
332,
333,
334,
335,
336,
337,
338,
339,
340,
341,
342,
343,
344,
345,
346,
347,
348,
349,
350,
351,
352,
353,
354,
355,
356,
357
Economic situation of Sweden during the war
Temporary prosperity
The hold over Sweden possessed by the Entente Powers on one side (the grip of the Entente) and by Germany on the other
Causes of the economic influence of Germany
A strange tangle
Perfect co-operation of the Entente representatives in Stockholm
Baron von Lucius; intrigues of the German Legation
My official attitude
Decrease in Swedish hostility to Russia; the Murman railway; the Straits; the case of M. Perrichon
I wish to build for the future
Finland for Sweden
Russian reverses in 1915 encourage Sven-Hedin afresh
German peace proposals
The Yul-Klappor and Swedish indignation
Prince Gortchakoff and M. de Giers
The understanding between the three Scandinavian countries counter-balances the efforts of the Activists
The question of the Aland Islands
XX. War sufferers -
358,
359,
360,
361,
362,
363,
364,
365,
366,
367,
368,
369,
370,
371,
372,
373,
374,
375,
376,
377,
378,
379,
380,
381,
382,
383,
384
The Russians in Sweden during the war
The Russian committee of benevolence
Prisoners’ correspondence
The Duke of Amalfi and the splendid work of the Spanish Legation
The Y.M.C.A.
Treatment of prisoners of war in Germany
Conference of the Red Cross representatives in Stockholm, and improvement resulting from it
The ambulance trains
Humanity of the Swedes
Touching scenes; a strange people; odi et amo; an epic hero
An old acquaintance reappears
Ferreting out a secret
Russian official personages pass through Sweden
M. Peter Struve
The Poles
The Lithuanians and Lithuania
M. Itchas
Other typically Russian silhouettes
XXI. A visit to Petrograd -
385,
386,
387,
388,
389,
390,
391,
392,
393,
394,
395,
396,
397,
398,
399,
400,
401,
402,
403,
404,
405,
406,
407,
408,
409,
410
I go to Petrograd
Conversation with Sazonoff
General Polivanoff’s opinion as to Rumanian help
Rumania’s difficult position
I see my successor in Sofia again; M. Savinsky on Balkan affairs; what he tells me and what he does not tell me
M. Stürmer appointed President of the Council
The Emperor present at the Duma
Prince N. Galitzyn
Prince Alexander of Oldenburg
M. Alexis Neidhart and the “Moderates”
Audience of the Emperor
The Grand-Duke Paul and his family
Audiences of the Empress Alexandra and the Dowager Empress
The Grand-Duke Nicolas Mikhailovitch
Impressions of my visit
Misgivings in political and Government circles
In popular circles
Mutterings of revolution
German machinations
The Germans increase their efforts to bring about a revolution in Russia
XXII. Evil omens in Petrograd -
411,
412,
413,
414,
415,
416,
417,
418,
419,
420,
421,
422,
423,
424,
425,
426,
427,
428,
429,
430,
431,
432,
433,
434,
435,
436,
437,
438,
439,
440,
441,
442,
443
Return to Stockholm
Audience of the King
Russian “parliamentarians” pass through Stockholm; I make Protopopoff’s acquaintance
The Swedish Activists raise the Aland question
Wallenberg’s wise and clever policy
M. Branting
All is serene
Bad news from Petrograd; Stürmer, Rasputin, the Empress Alexandra
The Empress at General Headquarters; idyll and tragedy; M. Odier; prophetic verses
Brussiloff’s offensive
M. Protopopoff and the Polaks
Protopopoff’s talks with M. Warburg
M. Pokrovsky
The rest of the parliamentary delegation returns by Stockholm
M. Schingareff
Russo-Swedish banquet
Baron Rosen
Count S. Wielopolski
Operations in Galicia
Stürmer replaces Sazonoff
Sazonoff
A subaltern of the Guards has done his whole duty; painful journey to Petrograd
Conversations with Sazonoff; a band of malefactors
Count Wielopolski with Protopopoff
I call on Stürmer
Sazonoff’s minute on the Polish question
The Rumanians come into the war
Odious impressions of Petrograd
XXIII. Russia in decline -
444,
445,
446,
447,
448,
449,
450,
451,
452,
453,
454,
455,
456,
457,
458,
459,
460,
461,
462,
463,
464,
465,
466,
467,
468
Return to Stockholm
Bad turn of affairs on the Rumanian front
Ferment and disorder in Russia
Protopopoff, Home Secretary; his vagaries; his madness
Prince Nicolas of Greece goes to Russia
I expect to leave my post
Fall of Stürmer; succeeded by M. Trepoff
I retain my post
The Protopopoff-Warburg incident begins to agitate the Russian public
I emphatically contradict the Home Secretary
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has again a perfectly honest man in view
Intense agitation in all grades of Russian society
Murder of Rasputin
Protopopoff’s increasing influence
The Trepoff Ministry is of short duration
The situation becomes worse
Protopopoff and an American spiritist
Rizov arrives from Berlin to talk to me; his curious prophecy
“The Emperor must go” and a great illusion
The Revolution breaks out and triumphs
Every one is happy and content
I adhere to the Provisional Government
XXIV. Revolution -
469,
470,
471,
472,
473,
474,
475,
476,
477,
478,
479,
480,
481,
482,
483,
484,
485,
486,
487,
488,
489,
490,
491,
492,
493,
494,
495,
496,
497,
498
The Hindu fakir; a theory of suggestion
The Revolution relieves the conscience of our Allies and reassures them
Illusions
First alarming revelations
Report of a Danish eye-witness
The Prikase No. I
The real origin of those March days; the real situation in Russia
A tragic dialogue
The Soviets supreme
Political exiles return to Russia
Prince Kropotkin
“Madam demands her whole paraphernalia”
A revolutionist of the old stamp
Early memories of Moscow
Bolsheviks
An Armenian throws off his mask
Some dancers
The army of treachery
Lenin and Trotsky pass into Russia
M. Keskula states the Esthonian case
I am appointed Ambassador to Madrid
Bad news from Petrograd
M. Kerensky, Dictator
His praiseworthy efforts
Increasing dissolution
I leave Stockholm with a heavy heart and scant hopes for the future
XXV. In Spain and in exile -
499,
500,
501,
502,
503,
504,
505,
506,
507,
508,
509,
510,
511,
512,
513,
514,
515,
516,
517,
518,
519,
520,
521
Journey from Stockholm to Paris
Brief revival of hopes and illusions
Solemn reception of an Ambassador in Madrid
Stately ceremonies
Generous step of King Alfonso XIII.
Two Queens
Reception by the Marquis de Lema and M. Dato
Sad reflections
My colleagues
Bird’s-eye view of Spain
Grievous news from Russia
I reconsider my position
Journey to Paris; I am disgusted with all I see and hear
I return to San Sebastian and send in my resignation to Kerensky
Letter to M. Terestchenko
A well-advised counsellor
I go into exile
Index -
523,
524,
525,
526,
527,
528,
529,
530,
531,
532,
533,
534,
535,
536,
537,
538,
539,
540,
541
Abdul-Azis ... -
523
Austro-Hungarian ... -
524
Bulgaria ... -
525
Constantine ... -
526
Enver-Bey ... -
527
George ... -
528
Gustavus ... -
529
Karavelov ... -
530
Lievin ... -
531
Mikolajow ... -
532
Nekludoff ... -
533
Niemen ... -
534
Pokrovsky ... -
535
Rumania ... -
536
San ... -
537
Serge ... -
538
Sweden ... -
539
Tsarskoe-Selo ... -
540
Warburg ... -
541
Project Runeberg, Sat Jan 13 00:32:34 2018
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