was no more ready than that of Russia. But the Germans are not a
warlike nation and the German Emperor, with his Government, has always
shown how earnestly he meant his reiterated assertions that the
preservation of peace was his principal aim. He was actuated in this by
general considerations of humanity, justice, and culture, as well as by
the consideration of the German trade and commerce. This, especially the
transoceanic commerce of Germany, has increased from year to year. War,
however, means the ruin of commerce. Why expose Germany needlessly to
this terrible risk, especially as everything in Germany prospered and
her wealth increased? No, the German Army bills were merely meant to
protect us against, and prepare us for, the attacks of Muscovite
barbarism. But nobody in Germany has ever doubted for a moment that
France would attack us at the first Russian signal. Since the first days
of the Franco-Russian alliance things have become entirely reversed.
Then France wanted to win Russia for a war of revenge against Germany;
now, on the contrary, France thought herself obliged to place her power
and her existence at the disposal of the Russian lust of conquest.

In the Spring of 1914 the German press reported from St. Petersburg
detailed accounts of Russia's comprehensive preparations for war. They
were not denied in Russia, and Paris declared that Russia would be ready
in two or three years and then pursue a policy corresponding to her
power; France, too, would then be at the height of her power. If the
German Government had desired war, on the strength of these accounts,
which were true, it could have waged a preventive war at once and
easily. It did not do so, considering that a war is just only when it is
forced upon one by the enemy. Thus Spring went by with the atmosphere
at high tension. From St. Petersburg and Paris overbearing threats came
in increasing numbers to the effect that the power of the Dual Alliance
was now gigantic and that Germany and Austria soon would begin to feel
it. We remained quiet and watchful, endeavoring with perseverance and
with all our might to win over Great Britain to the policy of preserving
peace. Colonial and economic questions were being discussed by the
German and English Governments, and the cordiality between the two great
powers seemed only to be equaled by their mutual confidence.

Then on the 28th of June occurred that frightful assassination by
Servians of the successo