increasing the strength of the German
army the empire desires to leave nothing to chance in the event
of a possible crisis.

"The German changes have produced a result unexpected by that
country, viz., the proposal of the Government of the [French]
Republic to reestablish the three years' service, and the manly
determination with which this proposal has been welcomed in
France. The surprise occasioned by these proposals of insisting
on the absolute necessity of an increase of German military
strength; the German proposals are represented as a reply to our
own. The reverse is the case, since the immense military effort
which France is undertaking is but the consequence of German
initiative.

"The Imperial Government is constantly rousing patriotic
sentiment. Every day the emperor delights to revive memories of
1813. Yesterday evening a military tattoo went through the
streets of Berlin, speeches were delivered in which the present
situation was compared to that of a hundred years ago.... It was
of course to be expected that national patriotism would be worked
up just when fresh sacrifices are being required, but to compare
the present time to 1813 is to misuse an historical analogy. If,
to-day, there is anything corresponding to the movement which a
hundred years ago roused Germans to fight the man of genius who
aspired to universal dominion, it is in France that such a
counterpart would have to be sought, since the French nation
seeks but to protect itself against the domination of force.

"Nevertheless, it is true that the state of public opinion in
both countries makes the situation grave."

The first inclosure in M. Cambon's letter was the report of
Lieutenant Colonel Serret. He speaks of a "virulent" article in the
"Koelnische Zeitung" ("Cologne Gazette") on the menace of France,
which, though immediately disavowed by the Government, cannot be
disregarded, since its sentiments have been approved by other
prominent newspapers, and it appears to express a "real feeling"
among the people, a "latent anger." It throws light on the present
German armaments.

"For some time now it has been quite a common thing to meet
people who declare that the military plans of France are
extraordinary and unjustified. In a drawing room a member of the
Reichstag who is not a fa