of the
General German Staff, which gravely impressed King Albert. It showed
that German enmity against France was increasing, and that the
Kaiser had ceased to be the friend of peace. The Kaiser had come to
believe that war with France was inevitable; and, when it did come,
that German success was certain. General von Moltke strengthened his
sovereign in these opinions:

"This time the matter must be settled, and your majesty can have
no conception of the irresistible enthusiasm with which the whole
German people will be carried away when that day comes.

"The king of the Belgians protested that it was a travesty of the
intentions of the French Government to interpret them in that
sense, and to let oneself be misled as to the sentiments of the
French nation by the ebullitions of a few irresponsible spirits
or the intrigues of unscrupulous agitators.

"The emperor and his chief of the General Staff nevertheless
persisted in their point of view.

"During the course of this conversation the emperor seemed
overstrained and irritable. As William II advances in years,
family traditions, the reactionary tendencies of the court, and
especially the impatience of the soldiers, obtain a greater
empire over his mind. Perhaps he feels some slight jealousy of
the popularity acquired by his son, who flatters the passions of
the Pan-Germans and who does not regard the position occupied by
the empire in the world as commensurate with its power. Perhaps
the reply of France to the last increase of the Germany army, the
object of which was to establish the incontestable supremacy of
Germany is, to a certain extent, responsible for his bitterness,
for, whatever may be said, it is realized that Germany cannot go
much further.

"One may well ponder over the significance of this conversation.
The emperor and his chief of the General Staff may have wished to
impress the king of the Belgians and induce him not to make any
opposition in the event of a conflict between us....

"The Emperor William is less master of his impatience than is
usually supposed. I have known him more than once to allow his
real thoughts escape him....

"If I may be allowed to draw a conclusion I would submit that it
would be well to take account of this new factor, namely, that
the emperor is becomi