on. It is enough to note that the dissatisfaction caused
by the treaty of November 4 has considerably swelled the
membership of colonial societies.

"We come finally to those whose support of the war policy is
inspired by rancor and resentment. These are the most dangerous.
They are recruited chiefly among diplomatists. German
diplomatists are now in very bad odor in public opinion. The most
bitter are those who since 1905 have been engaged in the
negotiations between France and Germany; they are heaping
together and reckoning up their grievances against us, and one
day they will present their accounts in the war press....

"During the discussion on the Army Bill one of these warlike
diplomatists exclaimed: 'Germany will not be able to have any
serious conversation with France until she has every sound man
under arms.'

"In what terms will this conversation be couched? The opinion is
fairly widely spread, even in Pan-German circles, that Germany
will not declare war in view of the system of defensive alliances
and the tendencies of the emperor. But when the moment comes she
will have to try in every possible way to force France to attack
her. Offense will be given if necessary. That is the Prussian
tradition.

"Must war, then, be considered as inevitable?

"It is hardly likely that Germany will take the risk if France
can make it clear to the world that the _Entente Cordiale_ and
the Russian alliance are not mere diplomatic fictions but
realities which exist and will make themselves felt. The British
fleet inspires a wholesome terror. It is well known, however,
that victory on sea will leave everything in suspense. On land
alone can a decisive issue be obtained.

"As for Russia, even though she carries greater weight in
political and military circles than was the case three or four
years ago, it is not believed that her cooperation will be
sufficiently rapid and energetic to be effective.

"People's minds are thus getting used to consider the next war as
a duel between France and Germany."

On November 22, 1913, M. Cambon, French Ambassador at Berlin,
reported to M. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs in Paris, an
account of a recent conversation between the Kaiser and the King of
the Belgians in the presence of General von Moltke, Chief