Count Alexander von Hoyos, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, visited Berlin as a special emissary on 5th July 2014. He brought with him a handwritten letter from Emperor Franz Joseph, dated 2nd July, which was delivered to Kaiser Wilhelm II by the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, Count de Szögyény-Marich. Also delivered was a memo from István Tisza, prime minister of Austria-Hungary, the only member of the Austro-Hungarian government to oppose the war with Serbia at that time.
The Emperor wrote:
I sincerely regret that You should have been obliged to give up Your intention of going to Vienna for the funeral ceremonies. I should have liked personally to express to You my sincerest thanks for Your sympathy in my keen sorrow — a sympathy which has greatly touched me.
By Your warm and sympathetic condolence You have given me renewed proof that I have in You a sincere friend worthy of confidence and that I may count upon You in every hour of grave trial.
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