peror, and an almost equally strong aversion of German
customs and ideals. On the other hand he had long been an admirer of
French culture and life, and he was a frequent visitor in the French
capital. The rapid growth of the Franco-British friendships
undoubtedly was helped along by him to his best ability. Naturally
he was influenced in this matter, not only by personal prejudices,
but chiefly by a conviction that his country's interests were
endangered by Germany's wonderful growth, and that they could be
preserved and improved more by strong alliances with other great
powers than by reaching an understanding with Germany herself.

The latter half of 1910 witnessed again violent parliamentary
dissensions in connection with the attempted reduction of the powers
of the House of Lords, resulting finally in another general election
in November, 1910, which gave to the Government a majority of 126.
That month also brought an announcement that English banks had
signed an agreement with German and French financial institutions to
join an American syndicate in advancing $50,000,000 to China, one of
the few instances of a joint financial undertaking by German and
British interests.

The greater part of 1911 was taken up with the settlement of the
difficulties between the Commons and the Lords, resulting finally in
the surrender of the latter and the adoption by them of the Commons'
bill depriving the Upper House of much of its former power. Hardly
had this troublesome question been adjusted when the question of Home
Rule for Ireland caused new difficulties of the severest nature. So
strong was the opposition of one part of Ireland to Home Rule, and so
strong the demand of the other part for it, that the dissensions
gradually reached the point where open revolution seemed to be
imminent. In July, 1911, the Anglo-Japanese alliance was renewed for a
period of ten years. During the Franco-German dispute about Morocco,
which threatened to disrupt the peace of Europe, Great Britain's
influence was thrown on the side of France, a fact which, of course,
resulted in increased bitterness against Great Britain on the part of
Germany. In November the king and queen left England on a trip to
India in order to be crowned as Emperor and Empress of India. In
common with other countries, England experienced in 1912 a great deal
of social unrest, which found expression in strikes as well as in
extremely radical legislation. The Irish questio