governed according to her own laws, that the Alsatians shall
be treated as a free people, and not as conquered subjects.

VII.

And that one sole possibly solution is also the only simple solution.
That solution would involve no sacrifice of pride or dignity to either
nation. France would not make any surrender to Germany, and Germany
would not make any concession to France. Both would surrender to the
demands of international justice.

And the solution of the autonomy of Alsace-Lorraine would be in the
interests of all parties concerned, as well as of European
civilization. France and Germany would be delivered from a nightmare
which for forty-four years has paralyzed their activities. One hundred
and ten millions of the two most progressive nations of the Continent
would cease to oppose each other in every quarter of the globe.

Alsace-Lorraine would cease to be the festering wound on the open
frontier of the two countries, but would once more discharge her
historical function of being the connecting link between Latin and
Teutonic peoples.

And the whole of Europe would be delivered from the crushing burden of
military expenditure. Hundreds of millions at present wasted on
armaments would be devoted to productive purposes. Commerce and
industry would receive an impetus which in one generation would renew
the face of Europe. Reaction would collapse with the disappearance of
military predominance, and European Governments could devote
themselves whole-heartedly to the anxious problems clamouring for a
solution, and to the momentous tasks of popular education and social
reform which are waiting to be accomplished.

CHAPTER XIII

THE TRAGIC ISOLATION OF GERMANY: AN INTERVIEW WITH A CONTINENTAL
STATESMAN

A few months ago[23] it was my good fortune to discuss the
international situation with Monsieur Emile Ollivier, the veteran
statesman, the Napoleonic Prime Minister with the light heart whose
name will ever be identified, and identified unjustly, with a
disastrous war. A few days ago it was again my privilege to discuss
the European situation with another Continental statesman whose name
will for ever be identified with the cause of peace. I am not at
liberty to disclose the identity of the illustrious speaker. Suffice
it to say that he is a statesman whose every word compels attention
all over the world and imposes respect, a man of infinite wit, of
penetrating intellect, and whose commanding perso