The Willy: Nicky Telegrams - Einstürzende Neubauten

I appeal to you to help me

An ignoble war has been declared

Very soon I shall be overwhelmed

Forced to take extreme measures

Such a calamity

European war

I beg you to do what you can

Stop your allies from going too far

Nicky

The spirit still dominates the country

That led them to murder their own king

Dastardly murder

Deserved punishmwent

In this case politics plays no part at all

Your very sincere and devoted friend and cousin

Willy

I cannot consider Austria’s action

An «ignoble» war

It would be quite possible for Russia to remain

A spectator of the conflict

Without involving Europe in the most horrible war

Military measures would jeopardize my position as mediator

Which I readily accepted on your appeal

To my friendship and my help

Willy

Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly

The official message by your ambassador

Is in a very different tone

Beg you to explain this divergency!

It would be right to give the problem to the Hague-conference

Trust in your wisdom and friendship

Your loving Nicky

Military measures for reasons of defence

I hope that they won’t interfere with your part as mediator

We need your pressure on Austria to come to an understanding

Nicky

If Russia mobilises, my role as mediator

Is ruined

The weight of the decision lies on your

Shoulders now

Who have to bear the responsibility for

Peace or War

Willy

In my endeavours to maintain the peace

I have gone to the utmost limit

Responsibility for the disaster will not be

Laid at my door

The peace of Europe may be maintained

If Russia stops the military measures

My friendship for you and your empire has always been sacred to me

Willy

To stop our military preparations is technically impossible

No provocative actions

Negociations take place

I give you my solemn word for this.

We are

Far from wishing war

Your affectionate

Nicky

I wish to have the guarantee from you that

These measures do not mean war

We shall continue negociating for the benefit

Of our countries

Universal peace dear to our hearts

Our long proved friendship must succeed

In avoiding bloodshed

Nicky

I pointed out to you the way by which

War may be avoided

I requested an answer for noon today

No telegram has reached me yet

I therefore have to mobilise my army

Willy