Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to Serbia and the Serbian Reply

Explanation and Analysis of the Document

The Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum to Serbia opens with a reference to the Serbian statement from the time of Bosnia-Herzegovina's annexation and Serbia's assurance that it would abide by the undertaken action (“the fait accompli”). The next three paragraphs lay out accusations that Serbia was tolerating and, in fact, aiding acts of terror and attacks on the Austro-Hungarian administration in the annexed territory. These actions had led to the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife.

The Austro-Hungarian authorities put forward several demands to be met by Serbia. First, Serbia was to condemn all actions directed against Austria-Hungary, particularly those aimed at detachment of provinces from the empire. A statement to this effect was to be published by the Serbian government in an official state journal on July 26. Next follow ten precise conditions that the Serbs had to resolve in order to satisfy the Austro-Hungarian authorities and secure peace. These include imposition of censorship, dissolution of the nationalist group Narodna Odbrana (accused of taking part in the assassination), stopping of all anti-Austrian propaganda, acceptance of Austro-Hungarian collaboration in the inquiry into “subversive movements” against the empire in Serbia, arrest and trial of those involved in the assassination, cessation of cross-border supply of arms, and explanation of hostile statements by Serbian officials after the murder. The execution of these points was to take place immediately, and Austria-Hungary was to be informed about the undertaken measures.

The second document is the Serbian Reply to the Austro-Hungarian Ultimatum. This document shows double dating, because Serbia was still using the old Julian calendar. In 1914 the difference between Julian and Gregorian dating was thirteen days. The reply opens with a paragraph in which the Serbian government points to the fact that since 1909 it has not undertaken any actions against Austria-Hungary, particularly concerning the status of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the second paragraph the Serbian government displays surprise that it was not asked to take part in the investigations after the murder with respect issues relating to Serbian participants.

There follows a detailed answer to the Austro-Hungarian requests. The Serbian government agrees to publish the demanded declaration practically unchanged, as an army order and in the official army publication. Serbia next addresses each of the ten points of the ultimatum. The Serbian Royal Government agrees to implement laws to block incendiary statements in the press and to suppress Narodna Odbrana, although the reply stresses the lack of any evidence against this and similar organizations. Serbia further promises to put an end to any anti-Austro-Hungarian propaganda in public life and in the army. Showing a good-faith effort to meet the demands of its powerful neighbor, Serbia also consents to open an inquiry into the plot to kill the archduke and informs Austria-Hungary that one arrest has been made. The Serbian government requests documented evidence with which to proceed. In the end, if Austria-Hungary were to remain dissatisfied, Serbia agrees to put the matter before either the Hague Tribunal (referring to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague) or the “Great Powers” who had been involved in the 1909 declaration concerning ceding of Serbian territory.

The only Austrian request rejected by the Serbian government is found in the fifth point, where Austria asks Serbia to allow Austro-Hungarian officials (in reality, police) to conduct their investigations on Serbian territory. The document clearly stipulates that Serbia is willing to collaborate in the investigations and agrees to fulfill all regulations demanded by international law but refuses to allow foreign interference into their domestic affairs. It was this very point that effectively made the Serbian answer unacceptable to Vienna and caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on its neighbor.