the French frontier, while France had till now confined herself
to indispensable precautionary measures.

"We are, in spite of the moderation of the Government of the
Republic and the calm of public opinion, on the eve of the most
terrible events.

"From all the information which reaches us it would seem that war
would be inevitable if Germany were convinced that the British
Government would not intervene in a conflict in which France
might be engaged; if on the other hand, Germany were convinced
that the _entente cordiale_ would be affirmed, in case of need,
even to the extent of taking the field side by side, there would
be the greatest chance that peace would remain unbroken.

"It is true that our military and naval arrangements leave
complete liberty to your majesty's Government, and that, in the
letters exchanged in 1912 between Sir Edward Grey and M. Paul
Cambon, Great Britain and France entered into nothing more than a
mutual agreement to consult one another in the event of European
tension, and to examine in concert whether common action were
advisable.

"But the character of close friendship which public feeling has
given in both countries to the _entente_ between Great Britain
and France, the confidence with which our two governments have
never ceased to work for the maintenance of peace, and the signs
of sympathy which your majesty has ever shown to France, justify
me in informing you quite frankly of the impressions of all
France.

"It is, I consider, on the language and the action of the British
Government that henceforward the last chances of a peaceful
settlement depend.

"We, ourselves, from the initial stages of the crisis, have
enjoined upon our ally [Russia] an attitude of moderation from
which they have not swerved. In concert with your majesty's
Government, and in conformity with Sir E. Grey's latest
suggestions, we will continue to act on the same lines.

"But if all efforts at conciliation emanate from one side, and if
Germany and Austria can speculate on the abstention of Great
Britain, Austria's demands will remain inflexible, and an
agreement between her and Russia will become impossible. I am
profoundly convinced that at the present moment, the more Great
Britain, France and Russia can give a deep