The Willy-Nicky Telegrams

[The Kaiser and the Tsar are writing telegrams which are overlapping each other]

[1 Voice Tsar] & [Second Voice Kaiser]

[ticking sound like from a second hand of a watch]

[Telegram 1]

[Tsar to Kaiser]------------------------[Kaiser to Tsar]

I appeal to you to help me

An ignoble war has been declared

Very soon I shall be overwhelmed

Forced to take extreme measures                                                   ----------------------------------------The spirit still dominates ----------------------------------------the country

Such a calamity----------------------That led them to murder ----------------------------------------their own king

European war ------------------------Dastardly murder

I beg you to do what you can-------Deserved punishment

Stop your allies-----------------------In this case - politics

From going too far------------------- plays no part at all

Nicky----------------------------------Your very sincere and ----------------------------------------devoted friend and cousin     ----------------------------------------Willy

[Telegram 2]

[Kaiser to Tsar]------------------------[Tsar to Kaiser]

I cannot consider Austria’s action

An »ignoble« war

It would be quite possible-----------Thanks for your telegram

For Russia to remain------------------ conciliatory and friendly

A spectator of the conflict-----------The official message by Without involving Europe-----------your ambassador

In the most horrible war--------------Is in a very different tone

Military measures would

Jeopardize my position as ------------Beg you to explain this mediator-------------------------------divergency!

Which I readily accepted--------------It would be right to give ------------------------------------------the  problem

On your appeal

To my friendship and my help---------to the Hague-conference

`

Willy-------------------------------------Trust in your wisdom -------------------------------------------and friendship

-------------------------------------------Your loving Nicky

[Sound like shots]

[Telegram 3]

[Tsar to Kaiser]--------------------------[Kaiser to Tsar]

Military measures

For reasons of defense

I hope that they won’t interfere-------If Russia mobilises

With your part as mediator------------my role as mediator Is ruined

-----------------------------------------The weight of the decision ------------------------------------------lies

------------------------------------------on your Shoulders now

We need your pressure on Austria----Who have to bear the responsibility

To come to an understanding---------for Peace or War

Nicky-----------------------------------Willy

[Sound like the sending of a playful morse code]

[Telegram 4]

[Kaiser to Tsar]-------------------------[Tsar to Kaiser]

In my endeavors to maintain

The peace

I have gone to the utmost limit

Responsibility for the disaster

Will not be Laid at my door

-----------------------------------------To stop our military -----------------------------------------preparations

-----------------------------------------is technically impossible

The peace of Europe

May be maintained

-----------------------------------------No provocative actions

If Russia stops the military------------Negotiations take place

Measures

----------------------------------------I give you my solemn

My friendship for you and your-----word for this. We are

Empire has always been-------------Far from wishing war

Sacred to me-------------------------Your affectionate

Willy----------------------------------Nicky

[Sound like bombs detonating]

[Telegram 5]

[Tsar to Kaiser]------------------------[Kaiser to Tsar]

I wish to have the guarantee

From you  that these measures

Do not mean war

----------------------------------------I pointed out to you

----------------------------------------the way by which

----------------------------------------War may be avoided

We shall continue negotiating

For the benefit of our countries

---------------------------------------I requested an answer for noon ---------------------------------------today

---------------------------------------No telegram has reached me ---------------------------------------yet

Universal peace

Dear to our hearts

Our long proved friendship-------I therefore have to mobilize

Must succeed----------------------my army

In avoiding bloodshed

-------------------------------------Willy

Nicky

-------------------------------------Willy

Nicky

-------------------------------------Willy

Nicky

-------------------------------------Willy

Nicky

-------------------------------------Willy

Nicky-------------------------------Willy

Nicky-------------------------------Willy

Nicky-------------------------------Willy

Nicky-------------------------------Willy

Nicky-------------------------------Willy Willy

[the signatures keep coming faster till a sound like]

[from electrical wire in the open]