From The Crowning Proof, The Spectator, 12 December 1914:
THE crowning proof that German intrigue and cynicism caused the war was provided in the remarkable statement which Signor Giolitti, the ex-Prime Minister, made in the Italian Chamber last Saturday. He said:-
“On August 9th, 1913, the Marquis Di San Giuliano, then Foreign Minister, sent me the following telegram: Austria has communicated to us and to Germany her intention of acting against Serbia, and defines such action as defensive, hoping to establish in regard to the Triple Alliance a casus foederis, which I regard as inapplicable. I am endeavouring to arrange with Germany for joint efforts to be made to prevent such action by Austria, but it will be necessary to say clearly that we do not consider such possible action as defensive, that we do not believe, therefore, a casus foederis exists.’
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