第6章

We are now in a position to take revenge for the humiliation which we then endured, probably out of excessive prudence.If we inscribe the word FASHODA on the tricolour there will not be in the whole of France a man capable of bearing arms who will not follow our lead with enthusiasm." It appeared to me to be politic to assure myself whether the Government or the inspired press would not perhaps promise the people the recovery of Alsace-Lorraine as the price of a victorious issue of the war.But the Minister replied decidedly, "No.The question of Alsace-Lorraine," he declared, "must remain outside our view as soon as we make up our minds to go in for practical politics.Nothing could possibly be more fatal than to rouse bad blood in Germany.For the German Emperor is the tongue of the balance in which the destinies of the world are weighed.England in her own esteem has nothing to fear from him.She regards him more as an Englishman than a German.

Her confidence in this respect must not be disturbed; it forms one of the props on which British arrogance supports itself.The everlasting assurances of the German Emperor, that he intends peace and nothing but peace, appear, of course, to confirm the correctness of this view.But I am certain that the Emperor William's love of peace has its limits where the welfare and the security of Germany are seriously jeopardised.In spite of his impulsive temperament, he is not the ruler to allow himself to be influenced by every expression of popular clamour, and to be driven by every ebullition of public feeling, to embark on a decisive course of action.But he is far-seeing enough to discern at the right moment a real danger, and to meet it with the whole force of his personality.I do not, therefore, look upon the hope of gaining him for an ally as a Utopian dream, and I trust that Russian diplomacy will join with ours in bringing this alliance about.A war with England without Germany's support would always be a hazardous enterprise.Of course we are prepared to embark upon such a war, alike for our friendship with Russia and for the sake of our national honour, but we could only promise ourselves a successful issue if all the continental great Powers join hands in this momentous undertaking."'"Although the fact of an offensive and defensive alliance with France in view of a war with England could not have been unknown to the majority of the assembled company, yet the reading of this despatch, which was followed with breathless attention, evidently produced a deep impression.Its publication left no room for doubt that this war had been resolved on in the highest quarters, and although no loud manifestation of applause followed its reading, the illustrious assemblage now breathed freely, and almost all faces wore an expression of joyous satisfaction.

Only one man, with knitted brows, regarded the scene with serious disapproval.For decades past he had been regarded as the most influential man in Russia--as a power, in fact, who had constantly thwarted the plans of the leading statesmen and had carried his opinions through with unswerving energy.

This solitary malcontent was Pobiedonostsev, the Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod, who, despite his grey hairs, was detested only less than he was feared.