erence does not work quickly or effectually
enough for the emergency of the moment, or to be able to ease the tense
political situation.

*The Kaiser's Efforts.*

In place of this, however, the German Emperor undertook to negotiate in
person with the Russian and Austrian monarch and was overwhelmed with
grief when the leaders of Muscovite policy frustrated all his exertions
by completely ignoring his efforts for peace, (made at the express
desire of the Czar,) and then in real earnest amassing Russian forces on
the German frontier, evidently resolved to force on a war under any
circumstances--even against the will of the Czar.

It is here that the clue to all the terrible events of the present day
is to be found.

The incessant intriguing of the Russian military party for many years
past has at last succeeded in drawing first France and then England to
their cause, by turning the mistrust, the dread of competition, the
hopes of revenge, and the ever-increasing armaments to their use with
incomparable skill. The task was facilitated by Germany's industrial
up-growth, which--in willful misconstruction of the truths of the laws
of international communities--has been represented as a calamity for
other States.

*England's Growing Friendship.*

In quite recent times people in England began to recognize this
misconstruction of facts as such. They began to understand that
friendship with Germany might be a blessing and that in this way peace
would be possible. This, however, meant the possibility of the Muscovite
policy being completely frustrated. An Anglo-German understanding seemed
already to be shaking the very foundations of the Triple Entente. Russia
had been obliged during the two Balkan wars (the London Ambassadorial
Conference was in fact the clearing house for this) to make important
concessions to the detriment of her proteges, Servia and Montenegro, in
order to retain the friendship of England, which ardently strove for
peace. Now, however, it was highest time for Russia to pocket her gains;
for the English people were slowly beginning to realize that in St.
Petersburg they were trying to engage England in the cause of
Pan-Slavism. The unnatural alliance was becoming more and more unpopular
from day to day. How long would it be before Russia lost England's help
forever?

Before this took place Russia must bring about a European war. The iron,
which had been prepared with the help of the English militar