Ottoman Diplomats

Synopsis

Seïfeddin Bey reports about the reactions in the Belgian press to the planned reorganisations of the army that were being discussed in the Belgian parliament. The newspapers followed the party line, and considered a French and/or German invasion to be evident in case it would come to a conflict between France and Germany. In this context, the visit of the British King and Queen to Germany, on the occasion of the wedding of the German Emperor’s daughter, caused a feeling of malaise in Belgium. The Belgian public opinion speculated about the tightening of relationships between the British and the German court, and the preparations of an agreement between the two countries. Moreover, there was an agreement between Britain and the Ottoman Empire on the Persian Gulf. The British and German sovereigns were said to have discussed this Anglo-Turkish agreement. German newspapers speculated on possible compensations for Germany, which stirred up the French and consequently also the Belgian press. These revealed France’s fear for its African colonies, Belgium’s fear for its position within Europe and Belgium’s concern for a possible German take-over of Congo. Seïfeddin Bey notes that the French press gave alarming information in order to win Belgium’s support. In attachment is a newspaper clipping from l’Etoile Belge, containing a letter from the newspaper’s correspondent in Rome, evaluating the point of view and expectations of Jagow, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Berlin (and previously diplomat in Rome). The Ottoman ambassadors were checking the authenticity of the information.

Attachments

Newspaper clipping ("La politique de M. de Jagow", 23-05-1913, Etoile Belge, Point of view and expectations of Jagow, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Berlin, concerning Germany's position and relations.)

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