urselves, jointly or
separately_. I have desired this and worked for it, as far as
I could, through the last Balkan crisis and, Germany having a
corresponding object, our relations sensibly improved. The
idea has hitherto been too Utopian to form the subject of
definite proposals, _but if this present crisis_, so much
more acute than any that Europe has gone through for
generations, _be safely passed, I am hopeful that the relief
and reaction which will follow may make possible some more
definite rapprochement between the Powers than has been
possible hitherto_....

"_I said to the German Ambassador this morning that #if
Germany could get any reasonable proposal put forward which
made it clear that Germany and Austria were striving to
preserve European peace, and that Russia and France would be
unreasonable if they rejected it, I would support it at St.
Petersburg and Paris, and go to the length of saying that if
Russia and France would not accept it, his Majesty's
Government would have nothing more to do with the
consequences#_; otherwise, I told the German Ambassador that
if France became involved we should be drawn in."

Is this the language of one seeking a quarrel? Why did not Germany act
upon the suggestions put forth so urgently, ringing so manifestly true
and bearing so evidently the stamp of good faith? Why was the calamity
of war thrust upon the world in such hot haste, that you did not even
previously inform, far less consult, your then allies, the Italians,
in spite of the provisions of the Triple Alliance?

Is it not proved by declarations of Giolitti--certainly no enemy to
Germany--before the Italian Parliament some six months back, that
_Austria wanted to make war upon Servia as much as two years ago, that
is to say, long before the assassination of the Austrian heir-apparent
afforded the pretext for an ultimatum which spelled war_? I know
sufficient of the sentiment prevailing in England and France before
the war, as well as of the tendencies of the political leaders and
other leading men in those countries, to be absolutely positive that,
apart from a few individuals given to noise-making, but not possessing
weight or real influence, the people and the Governments of France and
England were very far indeed from wanting war.

On the other hand, I agree with you in believing that the Pan-Slavist
party in Russia did plan