Notes of a Plenipotentiary: Russian Diplomacy and War in the Balkans, 1914–1917

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Cornell University Press, 2016 M01 22 - 248 pages

A prince in one of Russia's most exalted noble families, Grigorii N. Trubetskoi was a unique and contradictory figure during World War I. A lifelong civil servant and publicist, he began his diplomatic career in Constantinople, where he served as first secretary of the embassy there for several years. He became one of the leaders of an important political orientation among the liberals that began to express opposition to the tsar, not only on questions of political freedom and domestic political reform, but also by criticizing the tsar's foreign policy on nationalistic grounds. Trubetskoi possessed significant influence over Russian foreign policy and was instrumental in pushing the regime toward an aggressive annexationist stand in the Balkans. When the Russian ambassador to Serbia died suddenly in June of 1914, Trubetskoi was appointed as his replacement—situating him at the center of Russian diplomacy during the decisive period of Russia's entry into the war. His account of this period serves as an important reference for the study of the war's outbreak. Trubetskoi also discusses how he drafted the proclamation on Poland and gives a revealing account of its origins.

A valuable source on the major historical problem of the entry of Turkey into the war, the narrative provides interesting details about agreements with Britain and France. Translated by Trubetskoi's granddaughter, Elizabeth Saika-Voivod, and featuring Trubetskoi's original photographs, this fascinating memoir provides an inside look at Russian foreign policies during crucial points of the war. It will appeal to scholars, students, and general readers interested in World War I and Russian history.

 

Contents

1 DECLARATION OF WAR
1
2 THE BALKAN QUESTION
19
3 SERBIA
47
4 THE EPIDEMIC AND THE RUSSIAN RED CROSS
73
5 THE DARDANELLES
88
6 ALLIED PRESSURES ON SERBIA
95
7 RETREAT
123
8 SCUTARI
147
10 CORFU
169
11 EUROPE
175
12 RUSSIA
185
CONCLUSION
194
Notes
197
Bibliography
203
Index
205
Copyright

9 THE EXODUS
159

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About the author (2016)

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Elizabeth Saika-Voivod completed language studies at McGill University and resides in London, Ontario, Canada.

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