On what date did Britain declare war on Germany following an " unsatisfactory reply " to the British ultimatum that Belgium must be kept neutral ?
He even wants to influence Austria and to stop continuing further . ” Bethmann Hollweg sabotaged Wilhelm ’s proposal by informing Prince Tschirschky : “ You must most carefully avoid giving any impression that we want " to hold Austria back " We are concerned only to find a " modus " to enable the realisation of Austria - Hungary ’s aim " without at the same time unleashing a world war " , and " should this after all prove unavoidable , to improve as far as possible the conditions under which it is to be waged " . ” In passing on Wilhelm ’s message , Bethmann Hollweg excluded the parts wherein the Emperor told the Austrians not to go to war .