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Documents from the Reigns of Peter I through Nicholas II

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David_Pritchard:
Russian Imperial Assent to the International Metric Convention, Part II.

ARTICLE 4.
La présidence de la Conférénce générale des poids et mesures est attribuée au président en exercice de l'Académie des sciences de Paris.

ARTICLE 5.
L'organisation du Bureau ainsi que la composition et les attributions du Comité international et de la Conférence générale des poids et mesures sont determinées par le Règlement annexé à la présente Convention.

ARTICLE 6.
Le Bureau international des poids et mesures est chargé:

1-o de toutes les comparaisons et vérifications des nouveaux prototypes du métre et du kilogramme;

2-o de la conservation des prototypes internationaux;

3-o des comparaisons périodiques des étalons nationaux avec les prototypes internationaux et avec leur témoins, ainsi que de celles des thermomètres étalons;

4-o de la comparaison des nouveaux prototypes avec les étalons fondamentaux des poids et mesures non métriques employés dans les différents pays et dans les sciences;

5-o de l'étalonnage et de la comparaison des règles géodésiques;

6-o de la comparaison des étalons et échelles de précision dont la vérification serait demandée, soit par des Gouvernements, soit par des sociétés savantes, soit même par des artistes et des savants.

ARTICLE 7.
Le personnel du Bureau se composera d'un directeur, de deux adjoints et du nombre d'employés nécessaire.

A partir de l'époque où les comparaisons des nouveaux prototypes auront été effectuées et où ces prototypes auront été répartis entre les divers Etats, le personnel du Bureau sera réduit dans la proportion jugée convenable.

Les nominations du personnel du Bureau seront notifiées par le Comité international aux Gouvernements des Hautes Parties contractantes.

ARTICLE 8.
Les prototypes internationaux du mètre et du kilogramme, ainsi que leurs témoins, demeureront déposés dans le Bureau; l'accès du dépôt sera uniquement réservé au Comité international.

ARTICLE 9.
Tous les frais d'établissement et d'installation du Bureau international des poids et mesures, ainsi que les dépenses annuelles d'entretien et celles du Comité, seront couverts par des contributions des Etats contractants, établies d'après une échelle basée sur leur population actuelle.

ARTICLE 10.
Les sommes représentant la part contributive de chacun des Etats contractants seront versées, au commencement de chaque année, par l'intermédiaire du Ministère des affaires etrangères de France, à la Caisse des dépôts et consignations à Paris, d'où elles seront rétirées, au fur et à mesure des besoins, sur mandats du directeur du Bureau.

ARTICLE 11.
Les Gouvernements qui useraient de la faculté, réservée à tout Etat, d'accéder à la présente Convention, seront tenus d'acquitter une contribution dont le montant sera déterminé par le Comité sur les bases établies à l'article 9 et qui sera affectée à l'amélioration du matériel scientifique du Bureau.

ARTICLE 12.
Les Hautes Parties contractantes se réservent la faculté d'apporter d'un commun accord à la présente Convention toutes les modifications dont l'expérience démontrerait l'utilité.

ARTICLE 13.
A l'expiration d'un terme de douze années, la présente Convention pourra être dénoncée par l'une ou l'autre des Hautes Parties contractantes.

Le Gouvernement qui userait de la faculté d'en faire cesser les effets en ce qui le concerne sera tenu de notifier son intention une année d'avance et renoncera, par ce fait, à tous droits de copropriété sur les prototypes internationaux et sur le Bureau.

ARTICLE 14.
La présente Convention sera ratifiée suivant les lois constitutionnelles particulières à chaque Etat, les Ratifications en seront échangées à Paris dans le délai de six mois ou plustôt si faire se peut. Elle sera mise à exécution à partir du 1-er Janvier 1876.

En foi de quoi, les Plénipotentiaires respectifs l'ont signée et y ont apposé le cachet de leurs armes.

Fait à Paris, le 20 Mai 1875.

Pour la Russie:
(L. S:) (signé:) Okouneff.
Pour l'Allemagne:
(L. S:) (signé:) Hohenlohe.
Pour l'Autriche-Hongrie:
(L. S:) (signé:) Apponyi.
Pour la Belgique:
(L. S:) (signé:) Beyens.
Pour le Brésil:
(L. S:) (signé:) Vicomte d'Itajuba.
Pour la Confédération Argentine.
(L. S:) (signé:) M. Balcarce.
Pour le Danemark:
(L. S:) (signé:) Moltke-Witfeldt.
Pour l'Espagne:
(L. S:) (signé:) Marquis de Molins.
(L. S:) (signé:) Carlos Ibañez.
Pour les Etats-Unis d'Amérique:
(L. S:) (signé:) E. Benj. Washburn.
Pour la France:
(L. S:) (signé:) Decazes.
(L. S:) (signé:) Vicomte de Meaux.
(L. S:) (signé:) Dumas.
Pour l'Italie:
(L. S:) (signé:) Nigra.
Pour la République du Pérou:
(L. S:) (signé:) P. Galvez.
(L. S:) (signé:) Francisco de Rivero.
Pour le Portugal:
(L. S:) (signé:) Jose da Silva Mendes Leal.
Pour la Suède et la Norvége:
Pour M. le Baron Adelswärd empeché:
(L. S:) (signé:) H. Okerman.
Pour la Suisse:
(L. S:) (signé:) Kern.
Pour la Turquie:
(L. S:) (signé:) Husny.
Pour la République de Vénézuéla:
(L. S:) (signé:) E. Acosta.

David_Pritchard:
The Declaration of War on Bulgaria, 1915

By the Grace of God We, Nicholas the Second, Emperor and Autocrat Of All the Russias, Tsar of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, etc., etc., etc.

Declare to all Our loyal subjects:

Impossible as it seemed, but treacherously preparing from the very beginning of the war, Bulgaria has betrayed the Slav cause: The Bulgarian army has attacked Our faithful ally Serbia, bleeding profusely in a struggle with a strong enemy.

Russia and Our allied Great Powers tried to warn Ferdinand of Coburg against this fatal step.  The fulfilment of an age-old aspiration of the Bulgar people - union with Macedonia - has been guaranteed to Bulgaria by a means more in accord with the interests of the Slav world.

But appeals by the Germans to secret ambitions and fratricidal enmity against the Serbs prevailed.

Bulgaria, whose faith is the same as Ours, who so recently has been liberated from Turkish slavery by the brotherly love and the blood of the Russian people, openly took the side of the enemies of the Christian faith, the Slav world and of Russia.

The Russian people react with bitterness to the treachery of a Bulgaria which was so close to them until recently, and draw their swords against her with heavy hearts, leaving the fate of these traitors to the Slav world to God's just retribution.

Given at the Tsar's Headquarters the 5th day of October, in the year from the Nativity of Christ the 1,915th, and of Our reign the twenty-first.

On the true authority of His Imperial Majesty,

NICHOLAS

David_Pritchard:
Telegram from Nikolai II to Wilhelm II, 29 July 1914, 1 a.m.

Peter's Court Palais, 29 July 1914

Sa Majesté l'Empereur
Neues Palais

Am glad you are back. In this serious moment, I appeal to you to help me. An ignoble war has been declared to a weak country. The indignation in Russia shared fully by me is enormous. I foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the pressure forced upon me and be forced to take extreme measures which will lead to war. To try and avoid such a calamity as a European war I beg you in the name of our old friendship to do what you can to stop your allies from going too far.

Telegram from Nikolai II to Wilhelm II, 29 July 1914, 8.20 p.m.

Peter's Court Palace, 29 July 1914

Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly. Whereas official message presented today by your ambassador to my minister was conveyed in a very different tone. Beg you to explain this divergency! It would be right to give over the Austro-servian problem to the Hague conference. Trust in your wisdom and friendship.

Your loving Nicky

Telegram from Nikolai II to Wilhelm II, 30 July 1914, 1.20 a.m.

Peter's Court Palais, 30 July 1914

Thank you heartily for your quick answer. Am sending Tatischev this evening with instructions.

The military measures which have now come into force were decided five days ago for reasons of defence on account of Austria's preparations.

I hope from all my heart that these measures won't in any way interfere with your part as mediator which I greatly value. We need your strong pressure on Austria to come to an understanding with us.

Nicky

Telegram from Nikolai II to Wilhelm II, 31 July 1914

Petersburg, Palace, 31 July 1914

Sa Majesté l'Empereur, Neues Palais

I thank you heartily for your mediation which begins to give one hope that all may yet end peacefully.

It is technically impossible to stop our military preparations which were obligatory owing to Austria's mobilisation. We are far from wishing war. As long as the negotiations with Austria on Servia's account are taking place my troops shall not make any provocative action. I give you my solemn word for this. I put all my trust in Gods mercy and hope in your successful mediation in Vienna for the welfare of our countries and for the peace of Europe.

Your affectionate

Nicky

Telegram from Nikolai II to Wilhelm II, 1 August 1914
Peter's Court, Palace, 1 August 1914

Sa Majesté l'Empereur
Berlin

I received your telegram. Understand you are obliged to mobilise but wish to have the same guarantee from you as I gave you, that these measures do not mean war and that we shall continue negotiating for the benefit of our countries and universal peace deal to all our hearts. Our long proved friendship must succeed, with God's help, in avoiding bloodshed. Anxiously, full of confidence await your answer.

Nicky

David_Pritchard:
The Three Emperor's League

The Courts of Austria-Hungary, of Germany, and of Russia, animated by an equal desire to consolidate the general peace by an understanding intended to assure the defensive position of their respective States, have come into agreement on certain questions....

With this purpose the three Courts .... have agreed on the following Articles:

Article 1

In case one of the High Contracting Parties should find itself at war with a fourth Great Power, the two others shall maintain towards it a benevolent neutrality and shall devote their efforts to the localization of the conflict.

This stipulation shall apply likewise to a war between one of the three Powers and Turkey, but only in the case where a previous agreement shall have been reached between the three Courts as to the results of this war.

In the special case where one of them shall obtain a more positive support from one of its two Allies, the obligatory value of the present Article shall remain in all its force for the third.

Article 2

Russia, in agreement with Germany, declares her firm resolution to respect the interests arising from the new position assured to Austria-Hungary by the Treaty of Berlin.

The three Courts, desirous of avoiding all discord between them, engage to take account of their respective interests in the Balkan Peninsula. They further promise one another that any new modifications in the territorial status quo of Turkey in Europe can be accomplished only in virtue of a common agreement between them.

In order to facilitate the agreement contemplated by the present Article, an agreement of which it is impossible to foresee all the conditions, the three Courts from the present moment record in the Protocol annexed to this Treaty the points on which an understanding has already been established in principle.

Article 3

The three Courts recognize the European and mutually obligatory character of the principle of the closing of the Straits of the Bosporus and of the Dardanelles, founded on international law, confirmed by treaties, and summed up in the declaration of the second Plenipotentiary of Russia at the session of July 12 of the Congress of Berlin.

They will take care in common that Turkey shall make no exception to this rule in favour of the interests of any Government whatsoever, by lending to warlike operations of a belligerent Power the portion of its Empire constituted by the Straits.

In case of infringement, or to prevent it if such infringement should be in prospect, the three Courts will inform Turkey that they would regard her, in that event, as putting herself in a state of war towards the injured Party, and as having deprived herself thenceforth of the benefits of the security assured to her territorial status quo by the Treaty of Berlin.

Article 4

The present Treaty shall be in force during a period of three years, dating from the day of the exchange of ratifications.

Article 5

The High Contracting Parties mutually promise secrecy as to the contents and the existence of the present Treaty, as well as of the Protocol annexed thereto.

Article 6

The secret Conventions concluded between Austria-Hungary and Russia and between Germany and Russia in 1873 are replaced by the present Treaty...

SZECHENYI
v. BISMARCK
SABOUROFF

Separate Protocol on the same date to the Convention of Berlin. June 18, 1881

Article 1: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Austria-Hungary reserves the right to annex these provinces at whatever moment she shall deem opportune.

Article 2: Sanjak of Novibazar

The Declaration exchanged between the Austro-Hungarian Plenipotentiaries and the Russian Plenipotentiaries at the Congress of Berlin under the date of July 13/1, 1878, remains in force.

Article 3: Eastern Rumelia

The three Powers agree in regarding the eventuality of an occupation either of Eastern Rumelia or of the Balkans as full of perils for the general peace. In case this should occur, they will employ their efforts to dissuade the Porte from such an enterprise, it being well understood that Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia on their part are to abstain from provoking the Porte by attacks emanating from their territories against the other provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

Article 4: Bulgaria

The three Powers will not oppose the eventual reunion of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia within the territorial limits assigned to them by the Treaty of Berlin, if this question should come up by the force of circumstances. They agree to dissuade the Bulgarians from all aggression against the neighbouring provinces, particularly Macedonia; and to inform them that in such a case they will be acting at their own risk and peril.

Article 5

In order to avoid collisions of interests in the local questions which may arise, the three Courts will furnish their representatives and agents in the Orient with a general instruction, directing them to endeavour to smooth out their divergences by friendly explanations between themselves in each special case; and, in the cases where they do not succeed in doing so, to refer the matters to their Governments.

Article 6

The present Protocol forms an integral part of the secret Treaty signed on this day at Berlin and shall have the same force and validity...

David_Pritchard:
The Reinsurance Treaty, 1887

The Imperial Courts of Germany and of Russia, animated by an equal desire to strengthen the general peace by an understanding destined to assure the defensive position of their respective States, have resolved to confirm the agreement established between them by a special arrangement, in view of the expiration on June 15/27, 1887, of the validity of the secret Treaty and Protocol, signed in 1881 and renewed in 1884 by the three courts of Germany Russia, and Austria-Hungary.

To this end the two Courts have named as Plenipotentiaries:

His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, the Sieur Herbert Count Bismarck-Schoenhausen, His Secretary of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs;

His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russians, the Sieur Paul Count Schouvaloff, His Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, who, being furnished with full powers, which have been found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

Article 1

In case one of the High Contracting Parties should find itself at war with a third Great Power, the other would maintain a benevolent neutrality towards it, and would devote its efforts to the localization of the conflict.  This provision would not apply to a war against Austria or France in case this war should result from an attack directed against one of these two latter Powers by one of the High Contracting Parties.

Article 2

Germany recognizes the rights historically acquired by Russia in the Balkan Peninsula, and particularly the legitimacy of her preponderant and decisive influence in Bulgaria and in Eastern Rumelia.  The two Courts engage to admit no modification of the territorial status quo of the said peninsula without a previous agreement between them, and to oppose, as occasion arises, every attempt to disturb this status quo or to modify it without their consent.

Article 3

The two Courts recognize the European and mutually obligatory character of the principle of the closing of the Straits of the Bosporus and of the Dardanelles, founded on international law, confirmed by treaties and summed up in the declaration of the second Plenipotentiary of Russia at the session of July 12 of the Congress of Berlin (Protocol 19).

They will take care in common that Turkey shall make no exception to this rule in favour of the interests of any Government whatsoever, by lending to warlike operations of a belligerent power the portion of its Empire constituted by the Straits.  In case of infringement, or to prevent it if such infringement should be in prospect, the two Courts will inform Turkey that they would regard her, in that event, as putting herself in a state of war towards the injured Party, and as depriving herself thence forth of the benefits of the security assured to her territorial status quo by the Treaty of Berlin.

Article 4

The present Treaty shall remain in force for the space of three years, dating from the day of the exchange of ratifications.

Article 5

The High Contracting Parties mutually promise secrecy as to the contents and the existence of the present Treaty and of the Protocol annexed thereto.

Article 6

The present Treaty shall be ratified and ratifications shall be exchanged at Berlin within a period of a fortnight, or sooner it may be.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.

Done at Berlin, the eighteenth day of the month of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.

(L.S.) Count Bismarck

Additional Protocol: Berlin, June 18, 1887

In order to complete the stipulations of Articles 2 and 3 of the secret Treaty concluded on this same date, the two Courts have come to an agreement upon the following points:

1. Germany, as in the past, will lend her assistance to Russia in order to re-establish a regular and legal government in Bulgaria.  She promises in no case to give her consent to the restoration of the Prince of Battenberg.

2. In case His Majesty the Emperor of Russia should find himself under the necessity of assuming the task of defending the entrance of the Black Sea in order to safeguard the interests of Russia, Germany engages to accord her benevolent neutrality and her moral and diplomatic support to the measures which His Majesty may deem it necessary to take to guard the key of His Empire.

3. The present Protocol forms an integral part of the secret Treaty signed on this day at Berlin, and shall have the same force and validity.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed it and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.

Done at Berlin, the eighteenth day of the month of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.

Count Bismarck
Count Paul Schouvaloff

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