The Willy-Nicky telegrams were a series of personal communications between cousins (first cousins via Alexandra Feodorovna, 3rd via Paul I of Russia) Tsar Nicholas II and Kaiser Wilhelm II on the eve of WWI. They were rather friendly, and each was accustomed to calling the other "Willy" or "Nicky" respectively. Here are a few excerpts:
I foresee that very soon I shall be overwhelmed by the pressure forced upon me and be forced to take extreme measures which will lead to war. To try and avoid such a calamity as a European war I beg you in the name of our old friendship to do what you can to stop your allies from going too far. Nicky.
Immediate affirmative clear and unmistakable answer from your government is the only way to avoid endless misery. Until I have received this answer alas, I am unable to discuss the subject of your telegram. As a matter of fact I must request you to immediatly [sic] order your troops on no account to commit the slightest act of trespassing over our frontiers. Willy
Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly. Whereas official message presented today by your ambassador to my minister was conveyed in a very different tone. Beg you to explain this divergency! It would be right to give over the Austro-Serbian problem to the Hague conference. Trust in your wisdom and friendship. Your loving Nicky
The telegrams go on like this in a friendly, even jovial at times, manner. The question is this: At the Tsar's suggestion "to give over the Austro-Serbian problem to the Hague conference," coupled with the friendship between the two cousins (King George V was also their cousin, but was not often included in correspondence), could the Great War, at least on the Eastern Front, have been prevented or altered at all?Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly. Whereas official message presented today by your ambassador to my minister was conveyed in a very different tone. Beg you to explain this divergency! It would be right to give over the Austro-Serbian problem to the Hague conference. Trust in your wisdom and friendship. Your loving Nicky