第120章

Unscrupulously she grabbed everything she could lay hands on, and, injuring at every step important and vital interests of other nations, she challenged that resistance which has now shattered her position as a power in the world.The happiness of the peoples can only be restored by a peace assured for years, and only a just division of the dominion of the earth can guarantee the peace of the world.Therefore England must necessarily surrender an essential part of her possessions over sea.Russia wants the way free to the Indian Ocean, for only if she has a sufficient number of harbours open all the year round will the enormous riches of her soil cease to be a lifeless possession.And France--""Let us keep to Russia first, Your Excellency.Has the Russian Government already formulated its demands?""These demands are the essential outcome of the military situation;they culminate in the cession of British India to Russia.Whatever else our Eastern neighbour may strive to gain, is intended to ensure the peace of Europe more than her own aggrandisement.The standing danger which threatens the peace of Europe from the stormy corner of the old world, the Balkan Peninsula, must be finally removed.A fundamental agreement has been arrived at between the Powers concerned that the Russian and Austrian spheres of influence in the Balkans are to be defined in such a manner that a definite arrangement of affairs in the Balkan States will be the result.

There is talk of an independent Kingdom of Macedonia, under the rule of an Austrian archduke.The equivalent to be given to the Russian Empire as a set-off to this increase of the power of Austria will have to be finally settled at the conference at the Hague.But in any case the dangers which threaten the peace of Europe from Bulgaria, Servia, and Montenegro will be effectually obviated for the future.""But are you not afraid that the Sultan will resist such an agreement, by which Turkey is essentially the sufferer?""The Sultan will have to yield to the force of circumstances.We must not forget, Your Royal Highness, that Turkey has hitherto retained her European possessions more from the lack of unanimity among the great Powers than any consecrated rights of the Porte.

The unceasing troubles in Macedonia have shown that the Sultan has neither the power nor the intention to give the Balkan countries under his rule a government corresponding to the demands of modern civilisation.If the Porte loses the support it has hitherto received from England, the Sultan is at the same time deprived of all possibility of serious resistance.""And what is arranged about Egypt?"

"Egypt is the prize of victory for France; but only what she can justly claim on the ground of a glorious history will be restored to her.The sovereignty of the Sultan, which is a mere formality, will remain.But England's present position in Egypt--certainly with a definite limitation--will henceforth fall to France.""And what is the limitation?"

"It will be administered, not by France alone, but by an international commission, appointed by all the Powers, under the presidency of France, in the place of the present English administration.The first condition is that England must cede all her financial claims and her Suez Canal shares to the allied Powers.These financial sacrifices will at the same time be part of the war indemnity which England will have to pay.""Does France raise no further claims?"

"France is the more satisfied with the results of this war, since an annexation of Belgium to the French Republic is very probable.

Germany, however, claims the harbour of Antwerp, which we have occupied since the beginning of the war.""If I am correctly informed, was it not suggested that Aden should fall to France or be neutralised?""The idea was certainly mooted, but the allied Powers have decided to leave Aden to England.On the other hand, England will have to pledge herself to raise no obstacles which would render the construction and working of the Bagdad railway illusory.The harbour of Koweit on the Persian Gulf, the south-eastern terminus of this railway, must remain the uncontested possession of Turkey.""And Gibraltar? It raised a storm of indignation in England, when the report suddenly spread that the cession of this fortress would be demanded.""And yet the English Government will have to submit, for the surrender of Gibraltar is an indispensable condition on the part of the allies.""It is impossible to rase this natural fortress.""It would suffice if the English garrison were withdrawn, and all the fortifications dismantled.Gibraltar will cease to exist as a fortress, and will be restored to Spain on definite conditions.