Final answer:
Although Sir Edward Grey and Kaiser Wilhelm II had divergent reasons for entering WWI, both expected a short conflict and were initially reluctant to embrace President Wilson's idea of 'peace without victory', indicating a need for a decisive conclusion to the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare the speech by Sir Edward Grey, the British Foreign Secretary, to the speech by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany on their stances on entering WWI, we must acknowledge that historical records primarily highlight their differing positions and attitudes towards the conflict rather than their agreements. However, a general consensus can be found in their initial expectations of the war. Both leaders, along with much of Europe's leadership and citizenry, shared the belief that the conflict would be short-lived and decisive. This sentiment is encapsulated in Kaiser Wilhelm II's anticipation of 'a jolly little war' and the general belief that the war would be over by Christmas seemed to be mutual among many Europeans.
One point of agreement might have been their understanding of the necessity of war, though their reasons diverged. Grey was persistent on the moral obligation to defend Belgium and uphold treaty commitments, while Wilhelm was driven by German nationalism and the desire to assert power. Both viewed the war as inevitable given the circumstances; however, the nuances in their speeches significantly differ, representing their respective nation's perspectives and justifications for entering the conflict.
It is also worthwhile noting that both nations, along with France, were hesitant to embrace President Wilson's idea of 'peace without victory', suggesting a shared sentiment that a conclusive end to the war was necessary, albeit for different reasons and with different anticipated outcomes.