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diff --git a/56360-0.txt b/56360-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b6a730e --- /dev/null +++ b/56360-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4427 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56360 *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The Daily Telegraph + + WAR BOOKS + + HOW THE NATIONS WAGED WAR + + + + + Cloth Post + 1/- The Daily Telegraph free + net WAR BOOKS 1/3 + each each + + + HOW THE WAR BEGAN + By W.L. COURTNEY. LL.D., and J.M. KENNEDY + + THE FLEETS AT WAR + By ARCHIBALD HURD + + THE CAMPAIGN OF SEDAN + By GEORGE HOOPER + + THE CAMPAIGN ROUND LIEGE + By J.M. KENNEDY + + IN THE FIRING LINE + By A. ST. JOHN ADCOCK + + GREAT BATTLES OF THE WORLD + By STEPHEN CRANE + Author of "The Red Badge of Courage." + + BRITISH REGIMENTS AT THE FRONT + The story of their Battle Honours. + + THE RED CROSS IN WAR + By Miss MARY FRANCES BILLINGTON + + FORTY YEARS AFTER + The Story of the Franco-German War. By H.C. BAILEY. + With an Introduction by W.L. COURTNEY, LL.D. + + A SCRAP OF PAPER + The Inner History of German Diplomacy. + By E.J. DILLON + + HOW THE NATIONS WAGED WAR + A companion volume to "How the War Began," telling how the world faced + Armageddon and how the British Army answered the call to arms. + By J.M. KENNEDY + + AIR-CRAFT IN WAR + By S. ERIC BRUCE + + FAMOUS FIGHTS OF INDIAN NATIVE + REGIMENTS + + THE TRIUMPHANT RETREAT TO PARIS + THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE + + _OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION_ + + + PUBLISHED FOR THE DAILY TELEGRAPH + BY HODDER & STOUGHTON, WARWICK SQUARE, + LONDON, E.C. + + + + + HOW THE NATIONS + WAGED WAR + + _A companion Volume to "How the War Began" + telling how the World faced Armageddon, and how + the British Empire answered the call to arms_ + + BY + J.M. KENNEDY + + HODDER AND STOUGHTON + LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO + MCMXIV + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER I + + PAGE + + The "Scrap of Paper"--Sir Edward + Grey's further Statement--The + Houses of Parliament and Belgium--Indian + Troops--The German + White Book 7 + + + CHAPTER II + + German Press Campaign--Disseminating + False News--The Secret Press + Society--Sir E. Goschen's Report--A + Suppressed Telegram 44 + + + CHAPTER III + + Position of Italy--German Intrigues--The + Triple Alliance--Turkey's Activity--Plans + for Attacking Egypt--A + British Warning 78 + + + CHAPTER IV + + Polish Independence--The Tsar's Rescript--Japanese + Action--Germany in the Far East--Samoa and Togoland 100 + + + CHAPTER V + + French Government leaves Paris--Triple + Entente Declaration--An + Important French Protest to the + Powers--Aid from Dominions and + India--South Africa's Expedition--The + King's Proclamations 121 + + + CHAPTER VI + + The Economic Position--Moratorium + Extension--Great Britain's Oversea + Trade--Germany's Commerce--Question + of Food Supplies--Importance + of the Balkans--"Petrograd" 165 + + + + +CHAPTER I + + The "Scrap of Paper"--Sir Edward Grey's further Statement--The Houses + of Parliament and Belgium--Indian Troops--The German White Book. + + +SINCE the first volume of this series appeared, additional particulars +respecting the diplomatic negotiations preceding the outbreak of war +have been made known; and to these, with some further details which +have not hitherto been sufficiently emphasized, the attention of the +public may now be usefully directed. + +On August 27th, the Foreign Office issued an important dispatch +from Sir E. Goschen, British Ambassador at Berlin, to Sir Edward +Grey, respecting the rupture of diplomatic relations with the German +Government. It is dated London, August 8th, and contains a complete +account of the Ambassador's final interviews with Herr von Jagow, the +German Foreign Minister; with Herr von Zimmermann, the Under-Secretary +of State; and with Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, the Imperial Chancellor. +It was in the course of the interview with the latter that the +Chancellor referred to the Treaty guaranteeing the neutrality of +Belgium, in a phrase which had become notorious, as a "scrap of paper." +The document giving Sir E. Goschen's dispatch is as follows: + +In accordance with the instructions contained in your telegram of the +4th inst.,[1] I called upon the Secretary of State that afternoon and +inquired, in the name of his Majesty's Government, whether the Imperial +Government would refrain from violating Belgian neutrality. Herr von +Jagow at once replied that he was sorry to say that his answer must +be "No," as, in consequence of the German troops having crossed the +frontier that morning, Belgian neutrality had been already violated. +Herr von Jagow again went into the reasons why the Imperial Government +had been obliged to take this step, namely, that they had to advance +into France by the quickest and easiest way, so as to be able to get +well ahead with their operations and endeavour to strike some decisive +blow as early as possible. + +It was a matter of life and death for them, as if they had gone by the +more southern route they could not have hoped, in view of the paucity +of roads and the strength of the fortresses, to have got through +without formidable opposition entailing great loss of time. This loss +of time would have meant time gained by the Russians for bringing up +their troops to the German frontier. Rapidity of action was the great +German asset, while that of Russia was an inexhaustible supply of +troops. I pointed out to Herr von Jagow that this _fait accompli_ of +the violation of the Belgian frontier rendered, as he would readily +understand, the situation exceedingly grave, and I asked him whether +there was not still time to draw back and avoid possible consequences, +which both he and I would deplore. He replied that, for the reasons he +had given me, it was now impossible for them to draw back. + +During the afternoon I received your further telegram of the same +date,[2] and, in compliance with the instructions therein contained, +I again proceeded to the Imperial Foreign Office, and informed the +Secretary of State that unless the Imperial Government could give the +assurance by twelve o'clock that night that they would proceed no +further with their violation of the Belgian frontier and stop their +advance, I had been instructed to demand my passports and inform the +Imperial Government that his Majesty's Government would have to take +all steps in their power to uphold the neutrality of Belgium and +the observance of a treaty to which Germany was as much a party as +themselves. + +Herr von Jagow replied that to his great regret he could give no other +answer than that which he had given me earlier in the day, namely, that +the safety of the Empire rendered it absolutely necessary that the +Imperial troops should advance through Belgium. I gave his Excellency +a written summary of your telegram, and, pointing out that you had +mentioned twelve o'clock as the time when his Majesty's Government +would expect an answer, asked him whether, in view of the terrible +consequence which would necessarily ensue, it were not possible even at +the last moment that their answer should be reconsidered. He replied +that if the time given were even twenty-four hours or more, his answer +must be the same. + +I said that in that case I should have to demand my passports. This +interview took place at about seven o'clock. In a short conversation +which ensued Herr von Jagow expressed his poignant regret at the +crumbling of his entire policy and that of the Chancellor, which +had been to make friends with Great Britain, and then, through +Great Britain, to get closer to France. I said that this sudden +end to my work in Berlin was to me also a matter of deep regret +and disappointment, but that he must understand that under the +circumstances and in view of our engagements, his Majesty's Government +could not possibly have acted otherwise than they had done. + +I then said that I should like to go and see the Chancellor, as it +might be, perhaps, the last time I should have an opportunity of seeing +him. He begged me to do so. I found the Chancellor very agitated. His +Excellency at once began a harangue, which lasted for about twenty +minutes. He said that the step taken by his Majesty's Government was +terrible to a degree; just for a word--"neutrality," a word which in +war time had so often been disregarded--just for a scrap of paper, +Great Britain was going to make war on a kindred nation who desired +nothing better than to be friends with her. All his efforts in that +direction had been rendered useless by this last terrible step, and the +policy to which, as I knew, he had devoted himself since his accession +to office had tumbled down like a house of cards. What we had done +was unthinkable; it was like striking a man from behind while he was +fighting for his life against two assailants. He held Great Britain +responsible for all the terrible events that might happen. + +I protested strongly against that statement, and said that, in the +same way as he and Herr von Jagow wished me to understand that for +strategical reasons it was a matter of life and death to Germany to +advance through Belgium and violate the latter's neutrality, so I would +wish him to understand that it was, so to speak, a matter of "life +and death" for the honour of Great Britain that she should keep her +solemn engagement to do her utmost to defend Belgium's neutrality if +attacked. That solemn compact simply had to be kept, or what confidence +could anyone have in engagements given by Great Britain in the future? +The Chancellor said, "But at what price will that compact have been +kept? Has the British Government thought of that?" I hinted to his +Excellency as plainly as I could that fear of consequences could hardly +be regarded as an excuse for breaking solemn engagements, but his +Excellency was so excited, so evidently overcome by the news of our +action, and so little disposed to hear reason, that I refrained from +adding fuel to the flame by further argument. + +As I was leaving he said that the blow of Great Britain joining +Germany's enemies was all the greater that almost up to the last moment +he and his Government had been working with us and supporting our +efforts to maintain peace between Austria and Russia. I said that this +was part of the tragedy which saw the two nations fall apart just at +the moment when the relations between them had been more friendly and +cordial than they had been for years. Unfortunately, notwithstanding +our efforts to maintain peace between Russia and Austria, the war had +spread, and had brought us face to face with a situation which, if +we held to our engagements, we could not possibly avoid, and which +unfortunately entailed our separation from our late fellow workers. He +would readily understand that no one regretted this more than I. + +After this somewhat painful interview I returned to the Embassy, and +drew up a telegraphic report of what had passed. This telegram was +handed in at the Central Telegraph Office a little before nine p.m. It +was accepted by that office, but apparently never dispatched.[3] + +At about 9.30 p.m. Herr von Zimmermann, the Under-Secretary of State, +came to see me. After expressing his deep regret that the very friendly +official and personal relations between us were about to cease, he +asked me casually whether a demand for passports was equivalent to a +declaration of war. I said that such an authority on international +law as he was known to be must know as well as or better than I what +was usual in such cases. I added that there were many cases where +diplomatic relations had been broken off, and, nevertheless, war +had not ensued; but that in this case he would have seen from my +instructions, of which I given Herr von Jagow a written summary, that +his Majesty's Government expected an answer to a definite question by +twelve o'clock that night, and that in default of a satisfactory answer +they would be forced to take such steps as their engagements required. +Herr von Zimmermann said that that was, in fact, a declaration of +war, as the Imperial Government could not possibly give the assurance +required either that night or any other night. + +In the meantime, after Herr von Zimmermann left me, a flying sheet, +issued by the _Berliner Tageblatt_, was circulated stating that Great +Britain had declared war against Germany. The immediate result of this +news was the assemblage of an exceedingly excited and unruly mob before +his Majesty's Embassy. The small force of police which had been sent +to guard the Embassy was soon overpowered, and the attitude of the +mob became more threatening. We took no notice of this demonstration +as long as it was confined to noise, but when the crash of glass and +the landing of cobble-stones into the drawing-room where we were +all sitting, warned us that the situation was getting unpleasant, I +telephoned to the Foreign Office an account of what was happening. Herr +von Jagow at once informed the Chief of Police, and an adequate force +of mounted police, sent with great promptness, very soon cleared the +street. From that moment on we were well guarded, and no more direct +unpleasantness occurred. + +After order had been restored Herr von Jagow came to see me and +expressed his most heartfelt regrets at what had occurred. He said that +the behaviour of his countrymen had made him feel more ashamed than he +had words to express. It was an indelible stain on the reputation of +Berlin. He said that the flying sheet circulated in the streets had not +been authorized by the Government; in fact, the Chancellor had asked +him by telephone whether he thought that such a statement should be +issued, and he had replied, "Certainly not, until the morning." It was +in consequence of his decision to that effect that only a small force +of police had been sent to the neighbourhood of the Embassy, as he had +thought that the presence of a large force would inevitably attract +attention and perhaps lead to disturbances. + +It was the "pestilential _Tageblatt_," which had somehow got hold of +the news, and had upset his calculations. He had heard rumours that +the mob had been excited to violence by gestures made and missiles +thrown from the Embassy, but he felt sure that that was not true (I was +able soon to assure him that the report had no foundation whatever), +and even if it was, it was no excuse for the disgraceful scenes which +had taken place. He feared that I would take home with me a sorry +impression of Berlin manners in moments of excitement. In fact, no +apology could have been more full and complete. + +Another remarkable passage in the Dispatch is that in which Sir E. +Goschen describes the Kaiser's indignation and his resolve to divest +himself of his English titles: + +On the following morning, August 5th, the Emperor sent one of his +Majesty's aides-de-camp to me with the following message: "The Emperor +has charged me to express to your Excellency his regret for the +occurrences of last night, but to tell you at the same time that you +will gather from those occurrences an idea of the feelings of his +people respecting the action of Great Britain in joining with other +nations against her old allies of Waterloo. His Majesty also begs that +you will tell the King that he has been proud of the titles of British +Field-Marshal and British Admiral, but that in consequence of what has +occurred he must now at once divest himself of these titles." + +This resolve was made known in a manner which indicated that the +attitude of the English Government was keenly felt at Potsdam. "I would +add," remarks the Ambassador, "that the above message lost none of its +acerbity by the manner of its delivery." + +The Dispatch continues: + +On the other hand, I should like to state that I received all through +this trying time nothing but courtesy at the hands of Herr von Jagow +and the officials of the Imperial Foreign Office. At about eleven +o'clock on the same morning Count Wedel handed me my passports--which +I had earlier in the day demanded in writing--and told me that he +had been instructed to confer with me as to the route which I should +follow for my return to England. He said that he had understood that +I preferred the route via the Hook of Holland to that via Copenhagen; +they had therefore arranged that I should go by the former route, +only I should have to wait till the following morning. I agreed to +this, and he said that I might be quite assured that there would be no +repetition of the disgraceful scenes of the preceding night, as full +precautions would be taken. He added that they were doing all in their +power to have a restaurant car attached to the train, but it was rather +a difficult matter. He also brought me a charming letter from Herr +von Jagow, couched in the most friendly terms. The day was passed in +packing up such articles as time allowed. + +The night passed quietly without any incident. In the morning a strong +force of police was posted along the usual route to the Lehrter +Station, while the Embassy was smuggled away in taxi-cabs to the +station by side streets. We there suffered no molestation whatever, +and avoided the treatment meted out by the crowd to my Russian and +French colleagues. Count Wedel met us at the station to say good-bye on +behalf of Herr von Jagow and to see that all the arrangements ordered +for our comfort had been properly carried out. A retired colonel of the +Guards accompanied the train to the Dutch frontier, and was exceedingly +kind in his efforts to prevent the great crowds, which thronged the +platforms at every station where we stopped, from insulting us; but +beyond the yelling of patriotic songs and a few jeers and insulting +gestures we had really nothing to complain of during our tedious +journey to the Dutch frontier. + +Before closing this long account of our last days in Berlin I should +like to place on record and bring to your notice the quite admirable +behaviour of my staff under the most trying circumstances possible. +One and all, they worked night and day with scarcely any rest, and I +cannot praise too highly the cheerful zeal with which counsellor, naval +and military attachés, secretaries, and the two young attachés buckled +to their work and kept their nerve with often a yelling mob outside, +and inside, hundreds of British subjects clamouring for advice and +assistance. I was proud to have such a staff to work with, and feel +most grateful to them all for the invaluable assistance and support, +often exposing them to considerable personal risk, which they so +readily and cheerfully gave to me. + +I should also like to mention the great assistance rendered to us all +by my American colleague, Mr. Gerard, and his staff. Undeterred by +the hooting and hisses with which he was often greeted by the mob on +entering and leaving the Embassy, his Excellency came repeatedly to +see me to ask how he could help us, and to make arrangements for the +safety of stranded British subjects. He extricated many of these from +extremely difficult situations at some personal risk to himself, and +his calmness and _savoir-faire_ and his firmness in dealing with the +Imperial authorities gave full assurance that the protection of British +subjects and interests could not have been left in more efficient and +able hands. + +At the sitting of the House of Commons on August 26th, Mr. Keir Hardie +exhibited a tendency to quibble and to show his own country in a wrong +light. His interference on this occasion was, from his point of view, +fruitless; but it had the advantage of enabling the Foreign Secretary +to make an effective reply. In his statement, Sir Edward Grey dealt +with a few points which, although not at all obscure, were all the +better for emphasizing. The temper of the House is sufficiently well +indicated by the cheers and interruptions recorded in the following +report: + +Mr. KEIR HARDIE (Lab., Merthyr Tydvil) inquired of the Foreign +Secretary whether the suggestions for a peace settlement made by +the German Ambassador, together with his invitation to the Foreign +Secretary to put forward proposals of his own, which would be +acceptable as a basis for neutrality, were submitted to and considered +by the Cabinet; and, if not, why proposals involving such far-reaching +possibilities were thus rejected. + +Sir E. GREY: These were personal suggestions made by the Ambassador +on August 1st, and without authority, to alter the conditions of +neutrality proposed to us by the German Chancellor in No. 85, in the +White Paper.[4] The Cabinet did, however, consider most carefully the +next morning--that is Sunday, August 2nd--the conditions on which we +could remain neutral, and came to the conclusion that respect for the +neutrality of Belgium must be one of these conditions. The German +Chancellor had already been told, on July 30th, that we could not +bargain that away. + +On Monday, August 3rd, I made a statement in the House, accordingly.[5] +I had seen the German Ambassador again, at his own request, on Monday, +and he urged me most strongly, though he said that he did not know the +plans of the German military authorities, not to make the neutrality +of Belgium one of our conditions when I spoke in the House. It was +a day of great pressure, for we had another Cabinet in the morning, +and I had no time to record the conversation. Therefore, it does not +appear in the White Paper; but it was impossible to withdraw that +condition--(loud cheers)--without becoming a consenting party to the +violation of the treaty, and subsequently to a German attack on Belgium. + +After I spoke in the House we made to the German Government the +communication described in No. 153 in the White Paper, about the +neutrality of Belgium.[6] Sir Edward Goschen's report of the reply +to that communication had not been received when the White Paper was +printed and laid. It will be laid before Parliament to complete the +White Paper.[7] + +I have been asked why I did not refer to No. 123 in the White Paper +when I spoke in the House on August 3rd.[8] If I had referred to +suggestions to us as to conditions of neutrality, I must have referred +to No. 85--the proposals made, not personally by the Ambassador, but +officially by the German Chancellor, which were so condemned by the +Prime Minister subsequently.[9] This would have made the case against +the German Government much stronger--(cheers)--than I did make it in my +speech. I deliberately refrained from doing that then. + +Let me add this about personal suggestions made by the German +Ambassador, as distinct from communications made on behalf of his +Government. He worked for peace, but real authority at Berlin did not +rest with him and others like him, and that is one reason why our +efforts for peace failed. (Loud cheers.) + +Mr. KEIR HARDIE: May I ask whether any attempt was made to open up +negotiations with Germany, on the basis of the suggestions here set +forth by the German Ambassador? + +Sir E. GREY: The German Ambassador did not make any basis of +suggestions. It was the German Chancellor who made the basis of +suggestions. The German Ambassador, speaking on his own personal +initiative, and without authority, asked whether we would formulate the +conditions on which we would be neutral. We did go into that question, +and the conditions were stated in the House and made known to the +German Ambassador. (Cheers.) + +Mr. KEIR HARDIE (who rose amidst cries of "Order," "Oh, oh!" and "Sit +down"): May I ask whether the German authorities at Berlin repudiated +these suggestions of their Ambassador in London, and whether any effort +at all was made to find out how far the German Government would have +agreed to the suggestions put forward by their Ambassador? (Cries of +"Don't answer.") + +Mr. T.M. HEALY (Ind. Nat., Cork, N.E.): Before the right hon. gentleman +answers that, may I ask him if the Socialists in the Reichstag are +asking any questions like this? (Loud and prolonged general cheers.) + +Sir E. GREY, who was greeted with cries of "Don't answer," said: I +should like to have no misunderstanding on this. (Loud cheers.) The +German Ambassador did not make to us suggestions different to those +which his Government made. He never suggested to us that the German +Government would be able to agree to the condition of the neutrality of +Belgium. On the contrary he did suggest to me that we should not put +that condition forward because he was afraid his Government would not +be able to accept it. (Cheers.) + +Mr. PRINGLE (R., Lanarkshire, N.W.): Is my right hon. friend aware +that Mr. Keir Hardie is constantly representing in the country that +these proposals were actually made by the German Government to England? +(Hear, hear.) + +Sir. E. GREY: That was one of the reasons why I thought it very +desirable to answer very explicitly. (General cheers.) + +Mr. KEIR HARDIE: On a point of personal explanation I entirely +repudiate the statement made by Mr. Pringle. + +Mr. PRINGLE: I have to say in answer to that personal imputation that +my authority is a letter written by Mr. Hardie in the _Ardrossan and +Saltcoats Herald_ last Saturday. (Cheers.) + +Mr. KEIR HARDIE: Those who cheer have not seen the letter. (Cries of +"Sit down.") + +Mr. PRINGLE: Coward. + +Mr. KING (R., Somerset, N.) asked the Foreign Secretary whether he +intended to lay upon the table copies of the German memorandum and the +official statements of other foreign Governments showing the different +explanations of the origin of the war which had been published by the +various Governments concerned in the European war. + +Sir E. GREY: I have received no official explanation of the nature +referred to, except such as appear in our White Paper recently +published. + +Mr. KING also asked whether Sir E. Grey was aware that the German +Government had presented gratis to certain American citizens copies +of a pamphlet, written in English, called "Germany's Reasons for War +with Russia"; and whether, with a view of permitting an answer to this +publication, he would obtain a copy and place it in the Library. + +Sir E. GREY replied that he had given instructions for a copy of the +document in question to be placed in the Library at the disposal of +members. + +On page 147 of this volume appears a reference to the German White +Book, which was issued at Berlin on August 3rd. This White Book was +intended to show that war with Russia was inevitable, and it was +brought down to August 1st. In other words, while it dealt more or less +adequately with the situation as between Russia and Germany, it threw +no light on the ultimate causes which led to war with this country. +The Memorandum of this German White Book has already been summarized +(p. 147-8) and two telegrams--one from the Kaiser to the Tsar on July +31st, and the Tsar's reply of the same date--have been quoted on p. +148-9. The _Manchester Guardian_ of August 24th contained translations +of telegrams which had been exchanged previously by the two Emperors on +the preceding days, _i.e._, from July 28th to July 30th, as follows: + +The Kaiser to the Tsar. + + _July 28th, 10.45 p.m._ + +I HEAR with the utmost disquietude of the impression created in +your realm by Austria-Hungary's proceedings against Servia. The +unscrupulous agitation which has for years been carried on in Servia +has led to the appalling crime of which the Grand Duke Franz Ferdinand +was the victim. The spirit which animated the murder of their own king +and queen is still supreme in that country. Doubtless you will agree +with me that we two, that you as well as I, and all sovereigns have a +common interest in insisting that all those morally responsible for the +hideous deed should receive the punishment they deserve. + +On the other hand, I am far from overlooking the difficulties you and +your government may find in opposing the tendency of public opinion. +Remembering the hearty friendship which for long has bound us two +securely together, I am throwing the whole of my influence into the +scale to induce Austria-Hungary to seek for an open and satisfactory +understanding with Russia. I confidently hope for your assistance in my +endeavours to put aside all the difficulties that may arise. + +Your sincerely devoted friend and cousin, + + (Signed) William. + +The Tsar to the Kaiser. + + Peterhof Palace, + _July 29th, 1.0 p.m._ + +I REJOICE that you are back in Germany. I beg you earnestly to help +me at this grave moment. A shameful war has been declared on a weak +country, and there is immense indignation in Russia, which I fully +share. I foresee that I shall very soon be unable to hold out longer +against the pressure exercised upon me, and shall be compelled to adopt +measures which will lead to war. To obviate such a misfortune as a +European war, I implore you, in the name of our old friendship, to do +all in your power to restrain your ally from going too far. + + (Signed) Nicholas. + +The Kaiser to the Tsar. + + _July 29th, 6.30 p.m._ + +I HAVE received your telegram, and share your wish for the maintenance +of peace. But I cannot, as I said in my first telegram to you, regard +Austria-Hungary's action as a "shameful war." Austria-Hungary knows +by experience that Servia's promises are wholly unreliable if merely +written on paper. In my view Austria-Hungary's action is to be regarded +as an attempt to secure guarantees that Servia's promises shall be +really translated into action. I am strengthened in this view by the +declaration of the Austrian Cabinet that Austria-Hungary aims at no +territorial acquisitions at Servia's expense. I think, therefore, that +it is entirely possible for Russia to maintain the rôle of a spectator +of the Austro-Servian war without dragging Europe into the most awful +war it has ever experienced. I believe that a direct understanding +between your government and Vienna is possible and desirable, and, as +I already telegraphed to you, my government has done all in its power +to further such an understanding. Military measures on Russia's part, +which Austria-Hungary could view as a threat, would naturally hasten +a misfortune which we both wish to avoid, and would undermine the +position of mediator which I have readily assumed in response to your +appeal to my friendship and help. + + (Signed) William. + +The Kaiser to the Tsar. + + _July 30th, 1.0 a.m._ + +MY Ambassador is instructed to draw the attention of your government +to the dangers and serious consequences of a mobilisation: I said the +same to you in my last telegram. Austria-Hungary has only mobilised +against Servia, and only a part of its army. If, as appears from +your communication and that of your government, Russia is mobilising +against Austria-Hungary, the rôle of mediator which you entrusted to +me in friendly wise, and which I accepted at your express request, is +jeopardised, if not rendered impossible. The whole burden of decision +now rests upon your shoulders, the responsibility for war or peace. + + (Signed) William. + +The Tsar to the Kaiser, + + Peterhof, + _July 30th, 1.20 p.m._ + +FROM my heart I thank you for your speedy reply. I am this evening +sending Tatisheff with instructions. The military measures now coming +into operation were decided upon five days ago for reasons of defence +against Austria's preparations. Most heartily do I trust that these +measures will in no way influence your position as mediator, which I +value highly. We need your strong pressure on Austria to secure an +understanding with us. + + (Signed) Nicholas. + +The two final telegrams have been given on pp. 148-150 of "How the War +Began." + +On July 28th, a confidential communication was sent by the Imperial +Chancellor to the Governments of the various Federal States of Germany. +After recapitulating the story of the quarrel between Austria and +Servia, it proceeds as follows: + +There are certain Russian voices accordingly who hold that it is a +self-evident right and the business of Russia to intervene actively on +Servia's behalf in the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Servia. +The _Novoye Vremya_ actually thinks that the responsibility for the +European conflagration that would result from such action on the +part of Russia can be thrown upon Germany, in so far as Germany +does not cause Austria-Hungary to give way. But here the Russian +Press is looking at things upside down. It was not Austria-Hungary +which started the conflict with Servia, but Servia, which, by its +unscrupulous encouragement of Greater Servian aspirations, even within +Austria-Hungary, endangered the very existence of the Monarchy, and +created a condition of things which finally found expression in the +atrocious deed of Sarajevo. If Russia believes it must intervene in +the conflict on behalf of Servia, its right is no doubt good, so +far as it goes. But in doing so it must know that it thereby takes +over as its own all Servia's endeavours to undermine the existence +of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and that on it will rest the sole +responsibility if the Austro-Servian business, which all the other +great Powers desire to localise, leads to a European war. Russia's +responsibility is clear, and the heavier in that Count Berchtold has +officially informed Russia that there is no intention of territorial +acquisition at Servia's expense, or any tampering with the continued +existence of the Servian kingdom--merely a desire for peace from the +Servian machinations which imperil its existence. + +The attitude of the Imperial Government in this question is clear. The +final goal of the agitation carried on by the Pan-Slavists against +Austria-Hungary is, by breaking down the Danube Monarchy, to burst or +weaken the Triple Alliance, and subsequently to isolate the German +Empire completely. Our own interest, therefore, calls us to the side +of Austria-Hungary. Moreover, the duty of preserving Europe, so far as +may be possible, from universal war, likewise directs us to support +the endeavour to localise the conflict, thereby adhering to that +straight line of policy which we have now pursued with success for +forty-four years in the interest of the maintenance of European peace. +If, however, contrary to what we hope, the interference (Eingreifen) +of Russia causes an extension of the conflagration, faithful to our +alliance, we should have to support the neighbour Monarchy with the +whole might of the Empire. Only under compulsion shall we grasp the +sword, but if we do, it will be with the calm consciousness that we are +guiltless of the disaster which a war must bring upon the peoples of +Europe. + +This "calm consciousness" does not seem to have been disturbed by the +reflection that in the spring of 1913, when Europe appeared to be +settling down to a period of peace and prosperity after the Tripoli +and Balkan wars, the German Government suddenly startled the whole +world by imposing a special war levy of £50,000,000, and by increasing +the peace strength of the German army to 870,000 men. Under the +Quinquennial Army Law of 1905, the peace footing of the German army was +largely increased and reached a total of 505,839 men in 1911. A new +Quinquennial Law was voted by the Reichstag in 1911, and if it had been +carried into effect the army would have had the strength of 515,221 in +1915-6. This, one would have thought, was surely a sufficient peace +establishment; but in 1912 a still further Army Law provided for new +units and also for increases in the peace effective. Hardly were the +provisions of this law being applied when the special measure of 1913 +was passed. The German army, in other words, rose from a peace strength +of 505,000 men (excluding the one-year volunteers) in 1911 to a peace +strength of about 512,000 in 1912, and a peace strength of 870,000 +in the spring of 1914. There were no corresponding increases in any +European army to call for this drastic strengthening of the German +forces. Indeed, the French army had rather become reduced in numbers +in consequence of the two years' service; and the Balkan States were +exhausted. The Servia which had advanced against Turkey in the autumn +of 1912 was a very much more powerful country than the Servia with +which Austria picked a quarrel in 1914. + +We were never told why this great increase in the German army was +rendered necessary; nor did we learn why, at almost the same time, the +Austrian Government voted huge sums for enlarging its land and sea +forces. There was a vague reference in the Reichstag to the balance +of military power. But, if the Balkan war had altered the military +power of Europe, it had altered that power to the advantage of the +Triple Alliance. The Balkan States, the perpetual menace of the +Danube Monarchy, if we are to credit the statements made at Vienna, +were exhausted after their campaigns, first against Turkey and then +against one another. Austria herself had had her way with regard to +Albania, and Russia had given up her project of securing an outlet on +the Adriatic for Servia. Italy, the third partner in the Triplice, was +beginning to recover from the effects of the Tripoli war; and France +and England wished for nothing better than to be let alone. + +If we received but little information regarding the strengthening +of the German army, assuredly we had been receiving less for years +previously regarding the construction of strategic railways on the +German border where it meets Belgium and Luxemburg. An examination of a +detailed map of this district will show the most careless observer that +the strong German fortresses and garrison towns of Cologne, Coblenz, +and Germersheim, are connected with the western frontiers by railway +lines the only possible use of which must have been the transportation +of troops and munitions of war. There is certainly no trade in western +Germany demanding such a large number of tracks running east and west; +and it was only by means of these railways that Germany was able to +throw a million men across the frontier in less than forty-eight hours +after war broke out. The pacific intentions of France may be judged +from the fact that the lines on the French side of the frontier run for +the most part north and south. + +One or two such items may pass. But when we consider them _seriatim_, +we are bound to admit that Germany has shown consistent provocation +for more than a decade. We may leave out of account, perhaps, the +Kruger telegram and the German desire to assist Spain against the +United States in 1898, not to mention the attitude of Germany at the +time of the Boer war. There remains an entire series of provocations; +the preamble to the first German Navy Act (1900), in which England as +the enemy is all but mentioned by name; the visit of the Kaiser to +Tangier; the bullying indulged in by the German representatives at the +Algeciras Conference; the trouble almost forced on France over the +Morocco question in 1907; the determined attitude taken up by the +Kaiser against all Europe at the time of the Turkish revolution and the +annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria, in 1908-9; the stringent +terms of the Potsdam Agreement with Russia in 1910; the sending of +the _Panther_ to Agadir in 1911; the intractable attitude of the +Wilhelmstrasse over the settlement of the Balkan question in 1912-13. +With some effort, perhaps, any one of these incidents--and these are +only a few of the more important--might be explained away with a veneer +of plausibility; but, taken together, they are overwhelming in their +proof that the German Empire has been a hotbed of unrest in Europe, +not merely for the last two or three years, but for the last twenty. +Where Germany led Austria followed; and numerous were the threats +and imprecations levelled at Italy through the pliable medium of the +semi-official Press because Rome did not always see eye to eye with +Berlin and Vienna. + +The remaining telegrams and other documents quoted by the _Manchester +Guardian_ need not detain us long. From the dispatches of the German +Ambassador at St. Petersburg to his Government at Berlin, it is clear +that the Russian Foreign Minister, M. Sazonoff, laid the entire blame +at the door of Austria. No impartial statesman, as we can see from +our own White Paper, attempted to justify an ultimatum that demanded a +reply within forty-eight hours. The following messages, however, are +worth noting, and they help to complete our own official documents: + +From the German Ambassador in St. Petersburg to the Ministry for +Foreign Affairs at Berlin. + + _July 27th._ + +The military attaché reports conversation with War Minister: + +Sazonoff has asked the latter to explain the situation to me. The +Minister of War gave me his word of honour that no mobilisation order +had as yet been given. Certain preparatory measures had been taken; +that was all: no reservists had been called up, no horses commandeered. +If Austria crossed the Servian frontier mobilisation would take place +in the military districts touching upon Austria: Kieff, Odessa, Moscow, +Kazan. Under no circumstances in those on the German front, Warsaw, +Vilna, St. Petersburg. Peace with Germany was earnestly desired. On my +inquiry as to the purpose of mobilisation against Austria he shrugged +his shoulders and referred to diplomacy. I said to the Minister that +we did justice to their friendly intentions towards us, but that even +mobilisation directed solely against Austria would be regarded as +highly threatening. + +On July 28th--by which date Germany must have nearly completed her +arrangements for invading France through Belgium--we find the Foreign +Minister informing the Ambassador in London, Prince Lichnowsky, that +Germany is ready to co-operate with the other Powers in mediating +between Austria and Russia; and on July 29th France is warned that +Germany may be compelled to declare martial law. On July 31st the +ultimatum was sent to St. Petersburg and a similar warning to Paris. + +The following message was sent to St. Petersburg on August 1st: + +In case the Russian Government should not give a satisfactory answer +to our demand, your Excellency will at five o'clock this afternoon +(Central European time) hand it the following declaration, in French: +"Since the beginning of the crisis the Imperial Government has +endeavoured to bring about a peaceful solution. In conformity with the +wish expressed to him by his Majesty the Emperor of Russia, his Majesty +the Emperor of Germany, in agreement with England, was endeavouring to +act as mediator between the Cabinets of Vienna and St. Petersburg, when +Russia, without waiting for the results of his efforts, proceeded to +mobilise the whole of its land and sea forces. + +"As the result of this threatening step, for which no motive was +afforded by any miltary preparation on Germany's part, the German +Empire found itself face to face with a serious and imminent danger. +If the Imperial Government had failed to parry this danger it would +have compromised the security and even the existence of Germany. +Consequently the German Government found itself compelled to address +the Government of his Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, and +to insist on the cessation of the said military acts. Russia having +refused the satisfaction of this demand, and having shown by this +refusal that its action was directed against Germany, I have the honour +to inform your Excellency, by my Government's command, as follows: + +"His Majesty the Emperor, my august Sovereign, raises the gage in the +Empire's name and regards himself as in a state of war with Russia. +(_Sa Majesté l'Empereur, mon auguste Souverain, au nom de l'Empire, +relève le défi et se considère en état de guerre avec la Russie._) + +"Please demand your papers and protection and put your affairs under +the protection of the American Embassy." + + * * * * * + +Among the numerous indications of loyalty which reached Great Britain +from her oversea dominions and colonies, those from India were +not the least striking and demonstrative. As many of the Indian +princes offered not merely money, but also men, it was decided that +representative contingents of Indian soldiers should take their places +on the battlefield side by side with their fellow-subjects from these +Islands and the Dominions. The announcement was made in the House of +Lords on August 28th by Earl Kitchener in the following words: + +"In addition to reinforcements that will shortly proceed from this +country, the Government have decided that our Army in France shall be +increased by two divisions and a cavalry division, besides other troops +from India. + +"The first division of those troops is now on its way. I may add that +all wastage in the Army in France has been immediately filled up, and +there are some 12,000 men waiting for that purpose on the lines of +communication." + + * * * * * + +To Lord Kitchener's brief announcement the Secretary for India added an +explanation which the public welcomed with feelings of gratification. + +"It has been deeply impressed upon us," he said, "from what we have +heard from India, that the wonderful wave of enthusiasm and loyalty +which is now passing over that country is, to a great extent, based +upon the desire of the Indian people that Indian soldiers should stand +side by side with their comrades of the British Army in repelling the +invasion of our friends' territories and the attacks made upon them." + + * * * * * + +Hardly less enthusiasm had been aroused on the previous day, August +27th, when Mr. Asquith moved: + +"That an Address be presented to his Majesty praying him to convey to +his Majesty the King of the Belgians the sympathy and admiration with +which this House regards the heroic resistance offered by his army and +people to the wanton invasion of his territory, and an assurance of the +determination of this country to support in every way the efforts of +Belgium to vindicate her own independence and the public law of Europe." + + * * * * * + +In supporting his motion the Prime Minister delivered an eloquent and +moving speech, in the course of which he said: + +"Very few words are needed to commend to the House the Address the +terms of which will shortly be read from the Chair. The war which is +now shaking to its foundations the whole European system originated in +a quarrel in which this country had no direct concern. We strove with +all our might, as everyone now knows, to prevent its outbreak, and when +that was no longer possible to limit its area. It is all-important, +and I think it is relevant to this motion, that it should be clearly +understood when it was and why it was that we intervened. + +"It was only when we were confronted with the choice between keeping +and breaking solemn obligations, between the discharge of a binding +trust and of shameless subservience to naked force, that we threw away +the scabbard. + +"We do not repent our decision. + +"The issue was one which no great and self-respecting nation, certainly +none bred and nurtured as ourselves in this ancient home of liberty +could, without undying shame, have declined. We were bound by our +obligations, plain and paramount, to assert and maintain the threatened +independence of a small and neutral State. Belgium had no interest +of her own to serve, save and except the one supreme and over-riding +interest of every State, great or little, which is worthy of the name, +the preservation of her integrity and of her national life. + +"History tells us that the duty of asserting and maintaining the great +principle, which is, after all, the well-spring of civilisation and of +progress, has fallen once and again at the most critical moment in the +past to States relatively small in area and in population, but great +in courage and resolve, to Athens and Sparta, the Swiss cantons, and +not least gloriously three centuries ago to the Netherlands. Never, +sir, I venture to assert, has the duty been more clearly and bravely +acknowledged, and never has it been more strenuously and heroically +discharged than during the last weeks by the Belgian King and the +Belgian people. + +"They have faced without flinching, and against almost incalculable +odds, the horrors of an irruption, devastation, of spoliation, and of +outrage. They have stubbornly withstood and successfully arrested the +inrush, wave after wave, of a gigantic and overwhelming force. The +defence of Liège will always be the theme of one of the most inspiring +chapters in the annals of liberty. The Belgians have won for themselves +the immortal glory which belongs to a people who prefer freedom to +ease, to security, even to life itself. We are proud of their alliance +and their friendship. We salute them with respect and with honour. +We are with them heart and soul, because by their side and in their +company we are defending at the same time two great causes--the +independence of small States and the sanctity of international +covenants--and we assure them, as I ask the House in this Address to +do, in the name of this United Kingdom and of the whole Empire, that +they may count to the end on our whole-hearted and unfailing support." + + * * * * * + +The reception which this speech met with was unmistakable; and the +motion was voted unanimously. + +Mr. Bonar Law, in seconding, spoke with great feeling of the shameful +atrocities committed upon the Belgian people by the German soldiery, +and, in the Upper House, Lord Crewe, referring to the same theme, +observed that no country ever outraged humanity without sooner or +later paying for it: "It must be our part to see that the sword is not +sheathed till these great wrongs are redressed to the full." + +Lord Lansdowne spoke of the "incalculable value" of the two or three +weeks gained by the heroic defence of Belgium; and Mr. Redmond, in a +few glowing sentences, bore witness to the generous enthusiasm which +had been excited in Ireland. There was no sacrifice, he said, which +Ireland was not willing to make for Belgium, and he suggested that, +instead of the loan of £10,000,000 which had been proposed, the Belgian +people should be asked to receive the money as a gift. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: In this telegram, which is quoted in full on p. 178 of +"How the War Began," Sir Edward Grey reproduced the appeal of the King +of the Belgians to King George for diplomatic intervention, and asked +for an assurance that the German demand on Belgium for permission to +pass troops over Belgian territory would not be persisted in.] + +[Footnote 2: This was the British ultimatum, in which Sir Edward Grey +recapitulated the circumstances connected with the German occupation of +Belgian territory and demanded an answer by midnight. Quoted in full on +page 180-1 of "How the War Began."] + +[Footnote 3: This telegram, says a footnote to the dispatch, never +reached the Foreign Office.] + +[Footnote 4: This letter has been quoted in full on p. 106 of "How the +War Began."] + +[Footnote 5: Sir Edward Grey's speech appears _ibid._, p. 150 foll.] + +[Footnote 6: This refers to Sir Edward Grey's telegram to Sir E. +Goschen, British Ambassador in Berlin, which is given on p. 178 of "How +the War Began."] + +[Footnote 7: Sir E. Goschen's report has been given at the beginning of +this chapter.] + +[Footnote 8: Quoted on p. 136-7 of "How the War Began." In this +dispatch to Sir E. Goschen, Sir Edward Grey states that he refused to +give any undertaking even if the French colonies were respected, saying +that England must keep her hands free.] + +[Footnote 9: See footnote No. 1.] + + + + +CHAPTER II + + German Press Campaign--Disseminating False News--The Secret Press + Society--Sir E. Goschen's Report--A Suppressed Telegram. + + +IT has been indicated in the preceding volumes in this series that the +plans of the German Government had been very well thought out before +the campaign was undertaken. When hostilities had been engaged only +a few weeks, evidence came to hand from many parts of the world that +the determination of the Kaiser and his advisers to wage war was no +sudden whim, no definite stroke of policy dependent upon unexpected +circumstances. For example, the proclamations issued by the German +consuls in South Africa summoning reservists to the colours had been +printed in Germany, it was ascertained, and sent out about the end +of April or the beginning of May--in other words, some two months +before the assassination of the heir-apparent to the Austrian throne, +which was the nominal cause of the dispatch of the Austrian Note and +consequently of the general European War. + +Again, certain German merchant vessels in Australasian waters were +observed on July 30th--_i.e._ the day before Germany declared war on +Russia--to begin conveying wireless messages to one another in code. +It was commented upon at the time that this was an unusual practice, +especially as these steamers, with equal suddenness, refused to answer +the wireless messages of British vessels. In other words, two or three +days before the campaign was actually opened, means were found of +notifying German vessels on the other side of the world that peace was +about to be broken. + +Nor were these the only preparations. Those who are interested in +modern German history will well remember that practically every book +relating to Bismarck's career emphasises time and again the use he +made of all sections of the Press, independently of party and even of +country. His agents, even before the war with Austria in 1866, and, +of course, for long afterwards, were at all times endeavouring to +bribe, cajole, or persuade newspaper editors in Germany, Russia, Italy, +France, England, America and even Turkey and the Balkan States, to +insert this or that article or paragraph, tending to assist in some +way the achievement of the aims for the time being of the Monarch's +most trusted adviser. Bismarck carried this employment of the Press +to a very high degree of perfection; and readers of Busch's anecdotes +in particular will recollect how often the unfortunate amanuensis was +scolded for not writing what he had been told to write in the manner of +the particular paper for which his article was intended. + +This was one of the most useful diplomatic and political legacies +bequeathed by the great Chancellor to the Germany of our own +generation, and it is hardly necessary to add that both before and +during the present war full advantage has been taken of it. It is +no exaggeration whatever to say that in every country of importance +throughout the world the most strenuous endeavours were made by the +German Press agents to disseminate Germany's point of view--to show at +the beginning that both Germany and Austria, particularly Germany, were +two innocent but ill-used countries which were reluctantly compelled +to go to war with their powerful neighbours, as, if they had remained +inactive a day longer, they would have risked their very existence +as independent States; and to show later on that, with the help of +Providence, the German armies were winning remarkable victories all +along the line. + +Indeed, if we were to believe the German Press Bureau, the mere fact +that the Fatherland had entered the lists was sufficient to cause panic +among her enemies. Before the campaign had been in progress three days, +the world was solemnly informed from German sources that a revolution +had broken out in Paris, and that the President had fled from the +city; that a similar revolution was breaking out in Russia, and that +the Tsar's throne was in danger; and that the British Expeditionary +Force could not be landed in France as the Channel was held by +German warships and submarines. Subsequently we were told that Lord +Kitchener's appeal for half a million men had utterly failed; that the +British Fleet dare not venture to leave the coast on account of German +warships and German mines, and that innumerable British merchantmen +had been captured or sunk by German cruisers in the Atlantic, in the +Pacific, and in the Mediterranean. + +If these idle stories seem to us to be merely ridiculous, let it be +remembered that they were retailed as solemn facts to newspapers in +Italy, the Balkans, Turkey, Egypt and South America. Fully aware of the +power of the newspaper, and determined that Germany's prestige should +not be lost, the Berlin Government made the most complete preparations +for fighting with the pen as well as with the sword; and it is rather +unfortunate that this very common-sense example was not followed or +had not been thought of by England, France, or Russia. One example +may be given. As we now know, and as even the Germans themselves +have admitted, the fighting which took place on the Mons-Charleroi +line resulted in stalemate. The Germans were practically fought to +a standstill, and the allied forces, in accordance with their own +pre-arranged plan of campaign, effected gradually and in good order +their retreat to their original base. German prisoners admitted that +the small British force which had the noble but exceedingly arduous +task of defending the left wing of the French army inflicted damage on +the enemy out of all proportion to their numbers. The coolness of the +British soldiers under a heavy fire, their intrepidity in hand-to-hand +fighting, and the almost incredible accuracy of their markmanship were +commented upon no less by their allies than by their foes. + +Contrast this with the German version, which was circulated wherever +a newspaper could be induced to print it. It was said that a great +battle, lasting several days, had taken place in the neighbourhood of +Mons, that the French had been driven back several miles with heavy +loss, and that the "contemptible" British Expeditionary Force had been +all but annihilated. This version was communicated to the Italian +Press, and a suitable correction did not make an appearance until five +days had elapsed. When the correction did appear, one Italian newspaper +headed the news with the significant announcement: "Telegrams from +London reach us in four days; telegrams from Berlin in two hours." + +The result of this feature of this Press campaign was that many +countries with which the Allies wished to stand well, such as Italy, +Turkey, Spain, and Servia, continually received the impression that +the German cause, German might, and German organisation were about to +triumph in 1914 as they had in 1870. To some extent the scheme did +not succeed. When, for instance, unrest was noticed among the natives +in the French sphere of interest in Morocco, the Spaniards in the +neighbouring sphere offered voluntarily to put it down, as France had +withdrawn many of her troops. In Italy, again, the feeling in favour of +the Allies had been so pronounced from the very beginning that not even +telegrams from Berlin could shake it. In Turkey, on the other hand, it +was difficult, if not, indeed, impossible, to have the German "news" +corrected; and the utmost endeavours were openly made by German agents +to induce the Turks to strike at the Allies either by an invasion +of Egypt, an attack on Suez Canal shipping, or a raid into Southern +Russia. It is significant enough that when the German battleship +_Goeben_ eluded the British squadron in the Mediterranean, she sought +shelter, not in any of the ports of Germany's ally, Austria--which at +the time were not beyond her reach--but under the shelter of Turkish +forts in the Dardanelles. This incident is referred to in a subsequent +chapter. + +Although small and not very important items of news appeared from time +to time in the British and French Press respecting the operations of +the German Press Bureau (a department of the Foreign Office), it was +not until early in September that anything like a complete account +of the ramifications of this Bureau was made known. On September +3rd a White Paper was issued containing dispatches from Sir E. +Goschen, British Ambassador in Berlin, to Sir Edward Grey. These +communications began in February, 1914, and continued until June. +They showed conclusively that a secret undertaking had been entered +into which had for its object the influencing of the Press of foreign +countries, partly in the interest of German exporters and partly +in order that German influence generally might be spread. It is, of +course, impossible to quote at all fully from these very interesting +dispatches of Sir E. Goschen, but one or two of them may be mentioned. +In his first dispatch, sent on February 27th, our Ambassador at Berlin +enclosed the following report: + +For some time past a variety of schemes had been ventilated in the +Press with the object of improving German prestige abroad. It was +said that in certain foreign parts Germany was being persistently +and wrongfully abused, that she could obtain no fair hearing because +the Press of those distant countries was in hands hostile to any +German enterprise, and because the telegraphic agencies serving those +countries were equally biassed. An "_Association for World-Commerce_" +was to have remedied this evil by a persistent pro-German propaganda +in the countries most bitterly complained of. It was hoped that the +necessary funds could have been raised by contributions from all the +trading and industrial societies interested in the German export trade, +and, in view of the supreme importance to Germany of her export trade, +it was intended that agents of the Association should be sent and +stationed abroad to assist the exporting industries by timely advice +and an active policy generally, such as private individuals could +pursue more effectively than officials. The opportunity for realising +this scheme seemed to offer itself under the following circumstances. +A plan was being prepared to start a German-American Economic Society. +Similar societies with an application to other countries already +exist--_e.g._, a German-Argentine Society, a German-Canadian Society, +a German-Russian Society, etc. The foundation of a German-American +Society had been advocated in connection with the revision of the +American tariff which gave German industries new chances of an +intensified export to the United States. As was natural in any matters +dealing with German-American affairs, M. Ballin, of the Hamburg-America +Line, was approached to take the matter in hand. He consented. Under +his inspiration the idea of a German-American Society was abandoned and +the idea of a World Society was substituted. A preliminary meeting was +held at which the various German-foreign societies were represented; +there were present also representatives of the "Central Association +of German Industrials," and of its great rival, the "Federation of +Industrials," as well as of most of the leading industrial firms. +Internal dissensions, however, soon appeared, and several important +members sent in their resignations. The details of the foundation were +to have been settled at a meeting convened for February 26th; to-day +the whole scheme stands prorogued _sine die_. If it is ever realised +its plan will have to be considerably altered. In the meantime the +original plan of a German-American Society has been revived. This +society is, in fact, to be constituted in Berlin early in March in the +form originally intended. + +It would seem strange had M. Ballin so readily accepted defeat. +The explanation lies in the fact that, at the request of a very +highly-placed person, his interest has been transferred to another more +delicate and more or less secret organisation, devised to undertake +those duties of M. Ballin's would-be "Weltverein," which concerned the +German reputation abroad. A short time ago, a meeting, of which the +secret has been well kept, was convened in the Ministry of Foreign +Affairs, of which Dr. Hamann, the notorious head of the Press Bureau of +the German Foreign Office, was the originator and at which the Foreign +Secretary himself was present. The meeting was attended by members +of the leading industrial concerns of this country: the North German +Lloyd, the Hamburg-America Company, the Deutsche Bank, the Disconto +Gesellschaft, the Allgemeine Electrizitätsgesellschaft, Siemens and +Halske, the Schuckert Works, Krupp, the Cruson Works, etc. They formed +a private company with the purpose of "furthering the German industrial +prestige abroad"--a conveniently vague purpose. The company will be +financed by private subscriptions and by a Government grant. The sum +at first suggested as a necessary revenue from private subscription +was £12,500, but the company present at the first meeting was so +enthusiastic that it definitely promised annual subscriptions amounting +to £25,000. The Government will add £12,500 per annum--the whole +Secret Service Fund, in fact, at the disposal of the Imperial Foreign +Office for similar purposes (_e.g._, for the payment of subsidies to +certain papers abroad). The company has entered into an agreement with +the _Agence Havas_ that the latter will in future only publish news +concerning Germany if supplied through _Wolff's Telegraphen-Bureau_. +The latter will receive its German news exclusively from the new +company. + +The company intends to make a similar arrangement with Reuter's +Telegraphic Bureau for those foreign countries in which Reuter +controls telegraphic communications. If Reuter declines, the _Deutsche +Kabelgesellschaft_, a smaller German news agency supplying telegrams +from certain countries (_e.g._, Mexico) and working in agreement with +Wolff's Telegraphic Bureau, is to be financed by the new company to run +a service in competition to Reuter's. All the concerns represented at +the meeting have furthermore agreed to pay into the company's hotchpot +the very vast sums which they are accustomed to spend abroad for +their advertisements in foreign papers. The total of this item alone +is believed to be not less than £25,000 per annum--so the annual sum +available for the purpose of the new company will reach a total of +£50,000 to £75,000. The company will in future issue the advertisements +of its members only to those foreign papers which publish German +information originating exclusively from the new company, which is to +be regarded as the only authentic source of information concerning +Germany and all things German. This information they are to receive +free of cost or at a nominal sum--so that the willing foreign papers +will derive very material benefits from their collaboration with the +company, viz., lucrative advertisements and free matter written in +the language of the country in which the papers are published. The +foreign Press is to be watched by the company's agents appointed in the +various foreign centres. Any incorrect reports are to be telegraphed +home and corrected by telegrams issued by the company. The countries +in which the system is to be immediately inaugurated are chiefly the +South American States and those of the Far East, but the system is to +embrace all countries outside Europe. The German cable rates for Press +telegrams are to be reduced in the interests of the new company. It is +difficult to say whether the evil which the new company is to remedy +really exists, or exists to any perceptible extent, but it is certain +that a very influential private company has been called into existence +with every official encouragement commanding an enormous revenue for +the purposes of a pro-German newspaper propaganda. Whether the evil +exists or not--the money will be spent on secret service to popularise +Germany abroad. It does not seem to have occurred to the promoters of +the scheme that they are preparing the ground for a vast system of +international blackmail--hardly a proper way to reach the desired end. + + * * * * * + +That a reduction in cable rates was actually in contemplation is seen +from the Ambassador's next dispatch on the subject, as follows: + + Berlin, + + _April 3rd, 1914_. + +SIR,--In my despatch of the 27th February last concerning the secret +foundation of a German society to supply the foreign Press of certain +countries with news favourable to Germany and German interests, it was +foreshadowed that German cable rates for Press telegrams would probably +be reduced in the interests of the new society. + +I have the honour now to report that, in fact, reduced rates for +telegrams to the United States, Canada, Argentine, Chile, Peru, and +the German colonies are to come into operation as from April 1st, +1914. These telegrams, which are to be officially known as week-end +telegrams, will be admitted at a reduced rate between Saturday midnight +and Sunday midnight, to be delivered on Monday or Tuesday respectively. +These week-end telegrams must have reached the cable station at Emden +before midnight on Saturday, but can be handed in at any telegraph +office in the course of the week. + +The rates, which in some cases represent a reduction to one-fourth of +the usual rates fixed, are: + + Pfennigs + per word. + + To New York, Canada, Argentina, + Chile, Peru (minimum charge + for each telegram 20 M.) 80 + + To Togo and Cameroons (minimum + charge 18 M.) 90 + + To German South-West Africa + (minimum charge 15 M.) 75 + +Negotiations are pending for extending the week-end telegram service to +other distant countries. + +Telegrams sent to the United States or Canada are sent at the reduced +rate only to New York or Montreal respectively; thence they are +forwarded either free of charge, by letter, or at the local telegram +rates per word by telegram.--I have, etc., + + W.E. Goschen. + + * * * * * + +Within a month this system--for the intrinsic merits of which there is +everything to be said--was extended; and Sir E. Goschen wrote to the +Foreign Minister: + + Berlin, + + _May 2nd, 1914_. + +SIR,--With reference to my despatch of the 3rd ultimo, I have the +honour to report that, according to an announcement in the _North +German Gazette_, the system of reduced rates for what are called +"week-end telegrams" is to be extended as from the 1st instant to +Cape Colony, Natal, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, South and +North Rhodesia, Nyassaland, British India, Burma, Ceylon, Malacca, +Penang, Singapore, and Labuan, under the conditions described in my +above-mentioned despatch. + +The rates are as follows: + + Pfennigs + per word. + + To Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free + State, Transvaal 70 + + To South Rhodesia, Malacca, Penang, + Singapore, and Labuan 80 + + To North Rhodesia and Nyassaland 95 + + To British India, Burma, and Ceylon 50 + +--I have, etc., + + W.E. Goschen. + +Early in June a remarkable article on the subject appeared in a +well-known German trade organ, the _Deutsche Export Revue_, which not +only admitted the existence of the scheme, but confirmed the previous +statement of the Ambassador, that it was being largely subsidised by +the Imperial German Foreign Office. On this point Sir E. Goschen's +dispatch and the article he encloses are illuminating: + + Berlin, + + _June 9th, 1914_. + +SIR,--I had the honour, in my despatch of the 27th February last, +to explain a scheme under which a society had been founded with the +object of supplying the foreign Press, by telegraph, with information +favourable to Germany generally and to German industrial enterprise in +particular. I have since transmitted lists of the countries to which, +under the name of "week-end telegrams," the cable rates have been very +considerably reduced to assist the propaganda of the said society. + +I to-day have the honour to forward a translation of a cutting from the +_Deutsche Export Revue_, of the 5th June, 1914, in which the existence +of the scheme is, for the first time, as far as I know, admitted in +public print. + +The _Deutsche Export Revue_, which is published in Berlin, is a weekly +periodical devoted to the interests of the German export trade. It is +regarded as well informed, and enjoys a good reputation generally. + +The article confirms the various particulars set out in my despatch; +it confirms more especially the fact that the Imperial Foreign Office +is supporting the scheme with an annual subscription of £12,500 paid +out of its secret service fund. It supplies a list of the members of +the society, the names of the directors, etc. The last paragraph of the +article merits special attention on account of a certain refreshing +ingenuousness. + +I am informed that the order has gone forth from high official +quarters not to reproduce or in any way to refer to this article, as +its inadvertent publication is not unnaturally considered extremely +inopportune and embarrassing.--I have, etc., + + W.E. Goschen. + + * * * * * + +The article is as follows: + +Our readers will remember that one of the items in the programme of +the German Association for World Commerce was the establishment of a +news service abroad on generous lines. Whilst the other parts of the +Association's programme met with hostile criticism as soon as they +became known, the proposed service for the supply of news abroad was +greeted with general sympathy, as such activity promised to have a +useful effect on our foreign relations. The failure to organise the +Association for World Commerce seemed unhappily to render it doubtful +whether the organisation of the news service could be realised. It +is all the more gratifying that, according to information which has +reached us from well-informed quarters, the scheme for a German news +service in foreign countries has by no means been abandoned, but that, +on the contrary, an extensive organisation is actually doing work in +the desired direction. + +A German syndicate was very quietly formed a few weeks ago for the +purposes of this foreign news service. It uses the organisation of +a news agency already in existence; its activity is gradually to be +extended over the whole globe. Its main object will be to reply in an +appropriate form to the prejudiced news concerning Germany and to the +attacks made upon her, and by the judicious publication of newspapers +inspiring the necessary articles to spread abroad the knowledge of the +true state of German industry and of Germany's cultural achievements. + +We are in a position to give the following information concerning the +organisation of the enterprise. It is presided over by a directorate, +consisting of three men, viz.: Privy Councillor von Borsig, "Landrath" +Roetger (retired), and Herr Schacht, a director of the Deutsche Bank. + +A special administrative board, the main duty of which it is to make +suggestions as to the organisation and the methods of reporting +comprises among others: Professor Duisburg, of the dye works, "Bayer"; +Herr Hagen, of the Disconto Gesellschaft; Commercial Councillor +Hasenclever, of Remscheid; Herr Hermann Hecht, of Berlin; Director +Heineken, of the North German Lloyd; Director Helfferich, of the +Deutsche Bank; Director Huldermann, of the Hamburg-America Line; +Director Kosegarten, of the "Deutsche Waffen-und-Munitions-Fabrik"; +Herr von Langen, of the Disconto Gesellschaft; Privy Councillor +Rathenau; Director Reuter, of the Maschinen Fabrik, Duisburg; Director +Salomonsohn, of the Disconto Gesellschaft; Privy Councillor von +Siemens; Herr Edmond Bohler, Hamburg, etc. + +The management will be entrusted to two managers, Herr Asch and Dr. +Hansen. The former has for years edited several foreign news agencies; +the latter is known to the readers of the _Deutsche Export Revue_ +through a series of articles dealing with the question of a supply of +news covering the whole world. + +For the present the enterprise has taken the form of a loose syndicate +constituted for three years, which is, later on, to be replaced by a +more systematic form of organisation. The annual subscription payable +by the firms which are members amounts to a minimum of £50. It is a +significant fact that the Imperial Foreign Office has voted a grant of +£12,500 towards the expenses of the syndicate, provided the same amount +is contributed by German industrial houses. As the subscriptions and +the contributions by the latter already exceed the sum of £12,500, the +contribution from the Foreign Office funds seems secured. As every +firm subscribing a sum of £50 has a vote, or, rather, as for every £50 +subscribed the subscriber receives a vote, it may be expected that the +Imperial Foreign Office will have a powerful and decisive influence +upon the management of the syndicate generally and upon the development +of the news service in particular. + +We further learn that efforts are now being made to induce the joint +German and Foreign Economic Societies to join the syndicate, as these +societies embrace pre-eminently merchants and manufacturers interested +in the German foreign trade. These societies, it is true, appear to be +still divided in their opinion concerning the new enterprise--at least, +so far no definite decision has been arrived at. + +It is believed that an increasing membership will make it possible +to establish a reserve fund out of subscriptions and voluntary +contributions received, so that, later on, the interest of the reserve +fund may suffice to defray the expenses of the news service. It is +also hoped that the foreign Press may eventually be induced to pay for +the news supplied. Finally, it is intended to send journalists to the +various countries who are there to busy themselves in favour of German +interests in the manner indicated above. + +The task which the syndicate has set itself is in itself worthy of +acknowledgment. But only the future can show whether the task can +be accomplished in the manner indicated. We are of opinion that +good results could be achieved, and perhaps with greater success, +by utilising the German Legations and Consulates abroad, if ample +funds for this purpose were placed at the disposal of the official +Departments. At the same time, the joint German and Foreign Economic +Societies might well, as indeed some of them already do, work quietly +for a better appreciation abroad of the state of German industry and +of German cultured progress. The intended despatch of journalists we +believe, however, in any case to be a mistake, as it would certainly +soon become common talk in the editorial offices in the several places +abroad that they represent a syndicate officially supported by the +German Empire. If such things are intended, it would be better to +fall back upon gentlemen who are already in touch with the respective +editorial offices, and who could serve German interests without +attracting so much attention as would journalists sent out for the +purpose. + + * * * * * + +The reference to Press agencies in Sir E. Goschen's original report +brought forth prompt contradictions from those chiefly affected. +On September 6th the Press Bureau in London officially issued the +following important declaration on behalf of the Foreign Office: + +Conclusive evidence produced by the "Agence Havas" has satisfied the +Foreign Office that the statement occurring in the recently-published +report forwarded by His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, that the +"Agence Havas" had agreed in future to publish news concerning Germany +only if supplied through "Wolff's Telegraphen Bureau," is not correct. + +Such an arrangement appears to have been intended by the German +organisation; but it is not one which the "Agence Havas" ever even +contemplated. + +It is with great satisfaction that the Foreign Office has been enabled +to give publicity to this correction. + + * * * * * + +Messrs. Reuter also disclaimed all connection with the proceedings of +the German Government, as will be seen from the following letter which +appeared in the _Daily Telegraph_ of September 7th: + +To the Editor of "The Daily Telegraph." + +SIR,--In consequence of the long connection which the Press Association +has had with Reuter's Telegraph Company (Limited), I considered it my +duty to at once communicate with Baron de Reuter respecting the White +Paper which was published yesterday morning. I asked three questions: + +(1) Whether Reuter's Company were aware that proceedings of the kind +referred to by Sir Edward Goschen were contemplated by Dr. Hamann, the +head of the Press Bureau of the German Foreign Office; + +(2) Whether Reuter's Company had been approached either through Wolff's +Bureau or in any other way; and + +(3) Whether, before the publication of the White Paper, any +communication had been made to Reuter's Company by the Foreign Office. + +In view of the public interest attaching to this question, it seems +desirable that the public at large, as well as the Press, should +be placed in possession of the facts of the case. Accordingly, in +agreement with Baron de Reuter, I append his reply: + +DEAR MR. ROBBINS,--In reply to your letter of to-day calling my +attention to the Parliamentary Paper issued in this morning's +papers, concerning the manoeuvres of the Berlin Press Bureau and the +Kabelgesellschaft, I beg to say that the version put about by the said +Press Bureau, and reported by the British Ambassador, does not tally +with the facts within my knowledge. + +In the first place, the Wolff Bureau looked on the Kabelgesellschaft +as a competitor likely to supplant the older agency, because the +latter had incurred disfavour with the authorities owing to its +inability to induce the "Agence Havas" to publish, more particularly +in South America, the news issued by the Press Bureau. So far from +Havas agreeing to circulate the news, it was precisely because +of the opposition to such a course by the French agency that the +Kabelgesellschaft was taken under the special protection of the Berlin +Press Bureau and the higher authorities in the background. In proof of +this statement I have a letter from the director of the Wolff Bureau +stating that the activity of the Kabelgesellschaft was aimed in the +first instance at the "Agence Havas." + +As for our agency, we have never had any communication, direct or +indirect, with the Kabelgesellschaft, still less has any proposal +in their name, or on their behalf, ever been submitted for our +consideration. The fact, however, that for many months--I may even say +years--past the German Press, at the bidding and under the inspiration +of the political wirepullers, circulated unblushing falsehoods and +calumnies about our agency, presumably to weaken its prestige in the +contemplated competition, points to their intelligent anticipation of +the refusal which any overtures from their side would have met with +from us. + +Finally, permit me to add that we had no knowledge of the intended +publication of this Parliamentary paper.--Yours faithfully, + + (_Signed_) Herbert de Reuter. + +Yours faithfully, + + E. Robbins, Manager. + Press Association (Ltd.), 14, New Bridge Street, + London, E.C., Sept. 5th. + + * * * * * + +What the German Press is really capable of when adequately inspired +may be seen from a comparison of the semi-official organs the German +Government published on Monday, August 31st, in places so far apart +as Hamburg, Frankfurt-on-Main, and Wiesbaden. In these papers, and in +identical phraseology, appeared the "report" of a speech alleged to +have been delivered by Mr. John Burns in the Albert Hall, London, on +August 14th. It will be remembered that Mr. Burns, with Lord Morley and +Mr. Trevelyan, withdrew from the Government early in the month, and the +fabricated speech was officially given out in Germany as Mr. Burns's +own explanation of his reasons for resigning. Even in its translated +form the speech is remarkable in its way as showing that it must have +in the first place been written by someone who was very familiar with +the oratorical style of the right honourable gentleman; and attempts +were made here and there to imitate Mr. Burns's occasional tendency +to lapse into epigram and vigorous short sentences. For example, the +phrase: "I will give it as my firm opinion that England's greatness +shows itself in time of peace; her weakness in time of war," is +certainly delivered in Mr. Burns's best vein, however greatly the +sentiment may differ from his ideas. There would, of course, be no +point in quoting from this speech, which, as was quite obvious when +the English translation made its appearance, had never been delivered; +but one passage should be given as an example of German thoroughness: +"We destroyed Napoleon's fleet at Trafalgar; a few days later Napoleon +gained his most glorious (sic) victory at Austerlitz and brought Europe +to her knees. Of what use was our overthrow of Napoleon at sea compared +with his unexampled successes on land? We merely pricked him with a +pin--he overthrew Europe untroubled by our victories." + +The argument here, it will be noticed, is exceedingly plausible; and +the attributing of such an idea to Mr. Burns might almost appear to +be convincing to Germans and Austrians who knew little of his eight +years' record as an administrator and a great deal about his record as +a Labour leader. Once again, too, there is an attempt at Mr. Burns's +vigorous style. The full "speech" was reported in the English Press +on September 7th, and was, of course, immediately repudiated on being +shown to Mr. Burns. + +If the German Press, however, can be used occasionally for reporting +things that people did not say, it can be used with equal facility for +suppressing important statements actually made. For example, a Reuter +telegram from Copenhagen on September 7th quoted a statement taken from +the _Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung_, and published at Copenhagen +by the German semi-official news agency. This statement dealt with +Sir Edward Grey's declaration regarding his conversations with Prince +Lichnowsky, the former German Ambassador to Great Britain, made in the +House of Commons on August 28th: + +The _Norddeutsche_ says: "According to reports received here Sir E. +Grey recently declared in the House of Commons that the correspondence +exchanged between Great Britain and Germany before the war, as +published by the German Government, was incomplete, that Prince +Lichnowsky had withdrawn his report on the well-known telephone +conversation by a telegram sent immediately he was informed that a +misunderstanding existed, and that this telegram was not published. +_The Times_, probably on this basis of official information, made the +same assertion, and added the comment that the telegram was suppressed +by the German Government in order to enable it to accuse England of +perfidy and prove Germany's love of peace. We declare in answer to this +that no such telegram is in existence beyond the telegram already made +public. + +"Prince Lichnowsky sent only the following telegrams: + +(Sent at 1.15 p.m. on August 1st.) + +"'Sir E. Grey's private secretary has just been here to inform me +that the Minister desires to make me proposals concerning England's +neutrality, even in case we have to go to war with France and Russia. I +shall see Sir E. Grey this afternoon.' + +II. + +(Sent at 5.30 on the same afternoon.) + +"'Sir E. Grey has just submitted the following declaration, which has +been unanimously adopted by the Cabinet: "The German Government's +answer respecting Belgium's neutrality is unusually regrettable, since +the neutrality of Belgium is a matter affecting the feelings of this +country. If Germany could see her way to give a similar positive answer +to that which has been given by France it would contribute greatly to +relieve the anxiety and tension here, while, on the other hand, it +would be extremely difficult to restrain public temper if Belgium's +neutrality should be disregarded by one of the belligerents while the +other respected it." + +"'To my question whether on condition that we respected Belgian +neutrality he could give a definite declaration concerning Great +Britain's neutrality, the Minister replied that this was not possible, +but this question would play a big rôle in the present temper of the +people. If we disregarded Belgium's neutrality in a war with France a +revulsion of sentiment would certainly set in, which would render it +difficult to maintain friendly neutrality. For the present there was no +intention of proceeding to hostilities against us. It was desired to +avoid this if it were in any way possible. It was, however, difficult +to draw the line marking how far we might go, before there would be +intervention from here. He (Sir E. Grey) kept adverting to Belgian +neutrality, and said this question would play a great rôle. He had +considered whether, in case of a Russian war, we and France might not +simply remain armed against each other without either one attacking. + +"'I asked him whether he was in a position to declare that France would +enter into a pact to that effect. Since we neither desired to destroy +France nor acquire portions of her territory, I believed we could +enter into such an agreement which would assure us Great Britain's +neutrality. + +"'The Minister said he would go into the matter. He did not overlook +the difficulties of restraining the military element on both sides to +inactivity.' + +III. + +(Sent at 8.30 p.m.) + +"'My opinion of early to-day is altered. Since no positive English +proposal whatever is at hand, further steps along the lines of my +instructions are useless.'" + +The _Norddeutsche_ comments: "As will be observed, these telegrams +contain no intimation that there had been any misunderstanding, and +nothing touching on the English allegations concerning a clearing-up of +any alleged misunderstandings." + + * * * * * + +The above statement, added the Agency, does not meet the specific +statement of Sir Edward Grey in the Commons, which was as follows: + +It was reported to me one day that the German Ambassador had suggested +that Germany might remain neutral in a war between Russia and Austria, +and also engage not to attack France if we would remain neutral and +secure the neutrality of France. I said at once that if the German +Government thought such an arrangement possible I was sure we could +not secure it. It appeared, however, that what the Ambassador meant +was that we should secure the neutrality of France if Germany went +to war with Russia. This was quite a different proposal, and as I +supposed it in all probability to be incompatible with the terms of the +Franco-Russian Alliance, it was not in my power to promise to secure +it. Subsequently the Ambassador sent for my private secretary, and +told him that, as soon as the misunderstanding was cleared up, he sent +a second telegram to Berlin to cancel the impression produced by the +first telegram he had sent on the subject. The first telegram has been +published; this second telegram does not seem to have been published. + +This system of spreading false news was extended to the United States, +and its effect there will be duly dealt with in this volume. It should +be added here that a German Press Bureau was also set up at The Hague, +partly in order to influence the people of Holland, and partly that +German-Americans passing through Holland on their way back to America +might be suitably informed. One of the special correspondents at The +Hague wrote: + +The bureau apparently is to be run on a most elaborate scale by +very clever men. To counter this the British Consul-General has +been issuing bulletins, but for such services the amount of money +available in a British department is small, whereas German ventures +for supplying "truths" have always limitless resources. To show how +dangerous the German Press campaign in Holland already is I may mention +that the German Consulate in Rotterdam has posted up throughout the +town the audacious statement that "notwithstanding all reports to the +contrary, it is hereby officially and openly declared that thousands of +dum-dum bullets have been found on the British and French prisoners. +The denials of the British Government are in contradiction to the +statements of their officers, who have declared upon their word of +honour that such ammunition was also issued for their revolvers." It +is suggested that the names of the officers should have been demanded, +but it is felt that if the British authorities here did so the Germans +would not have hesitated to name several distinguished prisoners, and +they would have had no chance of refuting the charge until the end of +the war. + +This alone shows how cleverly Germany seeks to poison the minds +especially of Holland and America. The danger will increase when the +Press Bureau opens. The Dutch Government, I am assured, has striven and +is striving to be absolutely correct in its attitude towards England +and Germany. + +There may have been cases in which Belgians, driven mad by their +sufferings, have been guilty of outrages, but the German charge as a +whole is absolutely untrue. On the other hand, the Belgian Government +at Antwerp has, I am assured, convincing proof that the German troops +have been guilty of every crime and brutality. + +Belgians of the highest rank who recently visited The Hague describe +the spirit of Antwerp as splendid. The Belgian Prime Minister is +proving himself a second Kitchener. He holds undisputed sway, and is +absolutely trusted by everyone. + + * * * * * + +The same correspondent added that it would be impracticable to try +to starve Germany out by blockading the Dutch Coast, as hardly any +foodstuffs were being sent to Germany through Holland. + + * * * * * + +The campaign of mendacity organised by Germans in the United States was +also carried into Canada. The _Montreal Star_ stated that on August +20th a well-known Montreal lawyer received a letter from a prominent +German resident of New York in which was given as an authenticated +fact, which the British censors had suppressed, the story of the +sinking of seven British Dreadnoughts by German torpedo-boats. A +banker was assured by a German acquaintance in New York that Germany +had officially announced the destruction of an English seaport--name +not given--by bombs from a Zeppelin. Another lawyer was asked +confidentially to suggest the best means of getting this "news" from +German sources to the Montreal public. + +A Montreal citizen sent to the _Canadian Gazette_ the following +paragraph from the New _Yorker Staats Zeitung_, as circulated in Canada: + + New York, _August 18th_.--We have very favourable news from private + letters concerning the Zeppelin airships. The question has often + been asked: "Where are the Zeppelins, and what are they doing?" The + following information received in a private letter speaks for itself: + + "Every night the Zeppelin airships go out to the North Sea, and when + they return there is an English battleship destroyed. Nineteen English + battleships have been destroyed so far." + + + + +CHAPTER III + + Position of Italy--German Intrigues--the Triple Alliance--Turkey's + Activity--Plans for Attacking Egypt--A British Warning. + + +THE war had hardly begun before Italy officially announced her +intention of remaining neutral. From German sources rumours were +circulated to the effect that dissension had arisen in the Italian +Cabinet between Signor Salandra (the Prime Minister) and the Marchese +di San Giuliano (the Foreign Minister). These rumours, however, proved +to be unfounded, and certainly the Italian Government presented +not only a correct attitude but a united front both to the Triple +Entente and to her partners in the Triple Alliance. It may be briefly +mentioned why Italy, although nominally one of the members of the +Triplice--Germany, Austria and Italy--should nevertheless have chosen +to remain inactive while her nominal allies were engaged in fighting +Servia, Russia, France, England, Belgium, and Montenegro. + +After her defeat by Germany in 1870, France found herself for a long +time unable to exercise any great influence over European politics. +Indeed, the first administrators of the Third Republic were encouraged, +or rather compelled, by Bismarck to seek an outlet for their +superfluous energies in other parts of the world; and it is from the +conclusion of the Franco-German War that we may date the real beginning +of the French colonial empire. The remarkable success of the French +efforts in Algiers, Tunis, and other parts of Northern and Central +Africa aroused the jealousy of the Germans very early in the present +century; but two decades previously Italy had become exasperated by +the French invasion and absorption of Tunis, which gave to France not +merely a very strong position in the Mediterranean but the use of many +safe harbours. + +Eager to seize the advantage of having a powerful ally in the +Mediterranean, Germany and Austria, who had just previously entered +into a dual alliance, made overtures to Italy, and the dual became +a Triple Alliance in 1883. The measure was merely a political one. +It benefited none of the parties to it economically; and Italy, by +invading Tripoli in 1911, withdrew from it by that very act. It was, of +course, obvious that such a step on the part of Italy rendered her in +some measure dependent upon the French goodwill. Apart from this fact, +the alliance had never been popular among the Italian people, who had +no very great affection for Germans and intensely disliked Austrians. +Memories of the Austrian onslaught of 1866 were still very strong when +the alliance was formed; and they are almost as strong to-day. There is +still a powerful political group in Italy known as the Irredentists; +and it may be said that at a time of political crisis, especially when +Austria and Germany are involved, the whole nation becomes irredentist. +The party takes its name from those fairly considerable sections of +what was once Italian territory and where Italian is still spoken, but +which are now in the possession of other Powers. These territories, +known as _Italia Irredenta_ ("Unredeemed Italy") include the Southern +Tyrol (the "Trentino") Görz, Trieste, Istria, and Dalmatia; and also +the Swiss Canton of Tessin (Ticino), Nice, Corsica and Malta. + +The Italian expedition to Tripoli in 1911 caused intense +dissatisfaction, which was but ill-concealed, in Germany and Austria. +Both the Teutonic countries in the partnership objected to their +nominal ally increasing her power in the Mediterranean--Germany because +such an action would "lock up" many thousands of Italian troops in +Tripoli who might be wanted elsewhere, and Austria because she feared +that such a movement might indicate a desire on the part of the +Italian people to expand in yet other directions. Although some of the +so-called Italia Irredenta is held by England and some by France, the +animosity of the Irredentists, as of the Italian nation as a whole, +is directed exclusively against Austria, and in recent years cordial +relations have sprung up between Italy and France. Between Italy and +England, of course, relations have always been friendly, and not least +so since the days of Garibaldi. The enthusiastic demonstrations held +by the Italians in London and Paris after the declaration of war to +show their sympathy with the Allies was a striking manifestation of the +trend of Italian feeling generally. + +Further, there were at least two other reasons why Italy showed no +willingness to help her partners in the war. When the Italian army +was taking possession of Tripoli coast line under the protection of +the Italian fleet, the Austrian Government, under various pretexts, +concentrated large masses of troops in the direction of the Italian +frontier. Nothing came of this move, but it caused great resentment in +Italy at the time. Again, when the first Balkan War came to an end, +an acute European crisis arose over the possession of Albania. In +this westernmost possession of Turkey, Austrian and Italian interests +predominated, and Russia's attempt to secure a pathway to the sea for +Servia were ineffectual. After much argument it was finally resolved +that Albania should be proclaimed an independent state, and after a +long search a Teutonic nobleman, the Prince of Wied, was found willing +to assume the crown. + +As is well known, Albania from the very first was in a turbulent +condition, and various causes rendered the tenure of the Prince of +Wied's kingship highly uncertain. In the first place, the century-old +jealousy among the ruling chiefs made it difficult to form a cabinet on +the western model; and in the second place the Greeks felt that they +had a right to the Epirus--that province of uncertain boundaries lying +to the north of Greece and to the south of Albania and inhabited by +people of an unmistakable Greek stamp known as the Epirotes. As soon +as the independence of Albania was announced, the Epirotes, under one +of their best known public men, M. Zographos, rose in revolt, and for +several months carried on an intermittent warfare against the newly +constituted Albanian Government. + +It was openly asserted in the Austrian Press that the Epirotes were +being aided by Greece, who wished to recover the province; but there +was another group who held that the insurgents were deriving their +assistance from Italy, who wished by this means to destroy the +authority of the Austrians in the northern part of Albania. Italian +interests in Albania, as had always been emphasised, converged on the +important harbour known as Vallona Bay, which lies almost directly +opposite Brindisi. After the outbreak of the present war, this group +strongly urged that Italy was merely holding back for the time being +in order that she might at a subsequent date make a raid on this +part of Albania and annex the territory she desired. The importance +of Vallona Bay will be shown by a glance at the map. Austria's only +exit to the open sea lies through the Straits of Otranto, which are +about forty-five miles wide at the narrowest points, viz: Otranto +on the Italian side and Cape Glossa at the mouth of Vallona Bay on +the opposite side. It is obvious that if Italy had both these points +strongly fortified, it would be practically impossible for an Austrian +fleet to pass through. + +Whatever Italy's ultimate designs may be--and they are not clear at the +time of writing--the fact remains that down to the middle of September, +she had taken no steps in the direction of swerving from the neutrality +which she had proclaimed at the beginning of the war. + +Throughout August various hints were given as to what Italy might lose +by not joining her Allies and what she might gain if she did join them. +It soon became evident, however, even to the German Press, that Italy, +whatever she did, would certainly not come into the firing line with +Germany and Austria; and from about the middle of August onwards the +inspired German Press confined itself to expressing the hope that their +partner's Government would not at least join the other side. On August +14th, for example, the _Vossische Zeitung_ said: "After several years +of alliance the very minimum that Germany can demand from Italy is a +neutrality, not half-hearted, but having Germany's real welfare in +view." This was the tone adopted by the other semi-official organs of +the Government about this time. + +This change of tone in the German Press, which at first seemed to take +it for granted that Italy would join her Allies enthusiastically, must +have been due either to forgetfulness or to an entire misconception +of the Italian nation. If, to take an inconceivable hypothesis, the +Italian Government had wished to go to war on behalf of Germany against +the wishes of the Italian people, and if, further, Italy, like Germany, +had been composed of a powerful ruling caste and a well-drilled +population, no doubt the Italian army would have invaded France. Unlike +Germany, however, Italy is composed of peoples whose nature are of a +more independent character, and whose form of government is entirely +different. + +As soon as war broke out, it was clear that the sympathies of the +Italian people were wholly on the side of England, France, and Russia, +and that it was the wish of the people, if it became necessary to draw +the sword, to wield it in such a way as to recover Italia Irredenta, +which happened to be under Austrian rule. + +It should be remarked that Italy's obligations under her treaty of +alliance with Germany and Austria did not compel her to take part in +any war unless the war were a purely defensive one; and the Government +at Rome made it clear from the first that it regarded the action of +Austria towards Servia, and the action of Germany towards France and +Belgium, as aggressive. + +In spite of reiterated assurances of neutrality, it was persistently +rumoured, particularly in Paris, that Italy would declare war on +Austria at almost any moment. Although no general mobilisation +order was issued at Rome, it was understood that several classes of +reservists had been called up. It was indeed felt that any action which +Italy might take ought to be taken soon. Well-known military and naval +experts, such as Admiral Mahan, expressed the view that Italy "would do +well to make her strength felt early." + +On August 29th an incident was reported which seemed to show that the +decisive step might come at any time. On the previous day information +was received at Malta to the effect that Herr von Bitzow, who had +been acting as German Consul at Tripoli, had been carrying on an +anti-Italian propaganda among the natives; and it was even alleged that +he had issued a secret manifesto urging them to make demonstrations. +The Italian Government, with more than its usual promptitude, had +the offending Consul arrested and removed to Italy, at the same time +lodging a protest with the German Foreign Office. No more was heard of +this incident at the time; but, as may easily be imagined if it had +occurred at any other juncture it would have brought about an acute +crisis within the radius of the Triple Alliance. + +How the situation was developed was made clear from a long statement +sent to London, by a circuitous route, by the Rome correspondent +of _The Daily Telegraph_, and published on September 5th. He said +that the Italian fleet was fully mobilised, and was ready for all +eventualities. The battle fleet was concentrated at Taranto, under the +able and energetic command of the Duke of the Abruzzi. No decree had +been issued for the complete mobilisation of the army; but six classes +of reservists had been called out. The calling out of fifteen classes +would be tantamount to a general mobilisation. Very careful and very +thorough preparations were being made. Troops were being slowly and +methodically concentrated on the Austrian frontier. Those stationed +on the French frontier, except the ordinary peace garrisons and +depôt troops, had already been transferred. Any idea of Italy acting +against France was out of the question; but these preparations did not +necessarily mean war with Austria. + +The Italian Government, clearly enough, was fully alive to the +situation. Italy wished to bide her time till the psychological moment +arrived. That moment had not yet arrived. In any case, the Government +was anxious not to precipitate events until after the Conclave electing +the new Pope had finished its labours. + +All sailings of the Veloce transatlantic liners were suspended at this +time. This was regarded as significant, as transports would not be +needed unless Italy were contemplating landing troops either in Albania +or on Austrian soil. + + * * * * * + +The correspondent added: + +If Italy goes to war with Austria it will be a popular war. The +Government knows well that if Germany and Austria win they will bear +as great a grudge against Italy for remaining neutral as they would if +she threw in her lot against them. It is most important, therefore, +that Italy should see to it that Germany and Austria do not win. If, +on the other hand, the Triple Entente and their allies win, all Italy +can hope for on the conclusion of hostilities is the cession of Trent +and the protectorate of Central Albania, with Valona as a reward for +her neutrality. Whereas if Italy threw in her lot against Germany and +Austria she could hope to recover Trieste and to establish a sound +military reputation into the bargain. Moreover, if Italy remains +neutral she is likely to experience before long grave economic and +social unrest. Italy is very hardly hit by the war. There is a great +deal of unemployment. All this would be forgotten if she went to war; +and although the problems would recur after the peace, there is much +to be said for putting off the evil hour till after the new settlement. + +All these facts point to the conclusion that Italy will eventually +go to war with Austria. But the moment has not arrived yet. She will +have no difficulty in finding a pretext. She may find one in Albania, +or in the treatment of Italians in Trieste. The Government may plead +the irresistible pressure of public opinion. There is no need for +Italy to feel any shame at turning against her old allies, as there is +no disguising the fact that she had remained a member of the Triple +Alliance for purely time-serving purposes. When she does act, she will +act with vigour. + +The Marchese di San Giuliano has been for some time in very poor +health. He is better again now, and is back in Rome. Among a certain +section of the public and of the Press he has been called upon to +resign. A more decisive and clearer policy is demanded. But, as a +matter of fact, he is likely to remain at his post, as it is felt +that there is no man able to fill it of his experience and capacity. +The country as a whole has confidence in him. The same may be said of +the Prime Minister, Signor Salandra. Since he has been at the head of +affairs he has made something of a reputation, and he is known to be +a sound economist. The financial position of Italy is not rosy, but +there is every reason to hope that the critical period through which +she is now passing will be successfully negotiated. Her entry into the +war would not materially augment her difficulties on this score. + + * * * * * + +Hardly less important than the German negotiations with Italy--first, +with regard to participation, and, secondly, with regard to +neutrality--were the German negotiations with Turkey. It will be +recalled that Germany has for nearly two generations had considerable +interests in the Turkish Army, both in Europe and in Asia; and it was +to a German officer, General von der Goltz Pasha, that the Ottoman +Army owed such organisation as it had when Turkey was invaded by the +troops of the Balkan League in 1912. On the retirement of General von +der Goltz, the Turks asked for further military "advice" and assistance +from Berlin, and in reply to their request the German Government "lent" +them another experienced officer, General Liman von Sanders (whom +several North and South American papers confused with General Leman, +the defender of Liège). It was commented upon at the time as curious +that when General Liman von Sanders took up his appointment a year or +so ago, he brought with him 200 German colonels as assistants, whom he +placed at the head of Turkish regiments, together with several officers +of lesser rank. The Turkish Army thus became, for all practical +purposes, a German war machine, led by Germans, officered by Germans, +supplied with German rifles, ammunition and artillery, and liable to +march when the word of command was given to the Turkish Government by a +German diplomatist. + +Europe was astonished to learn early in August that Turkey had decided +to mobilise. As the result of an energetic protest by the British and +French Ambassadors at Constantinople, it was explained that the measure +was purely precautionary, and that the Porte did not intend to take +any active steps. There the matter was left for a day or two, when the +incident of the _Goeben_ and _Breslau_ occurred. The former was one +of Germany's largest cruisers, and the latter a smaller one of less +importance. Both these vessels, in company with a third, had spent a +few days after the opening of the war in bombarding undefended towns +in Algiers and Tunis. A combined French and English squadron gave +chase, and the result was that a German cruiser was sunk. In spite of +the efforts of the pursuers, the _Goeben_ and the _Breslau_ escaped, +first of all to Italian waters, and then after a short pause to the +Dardanelles. + +As Turkey was a neutral country, international law required that the +two cruisers should be either dismantled or sent away. Neither of +these courses was adopted. Instead it was announced that the Turkish +Government had decided to buy the _Goeben_--the _Breslau_ was not +mentioned, but was presumed to be included in the purchase--in view of +the fact that two battleships which had been in process of completion +for Turkey in British dockyards, had been seized by our Admiralty +for possible use against Germany. Turkey complained that this would +alter the balance of naval power as between herself and Greece, to the +advantage of the latter. + +Even legal experts were at variance as to whether Turkey was justified +as a neutral country in purchasing the warships of a belligerent. +Politically speaking, this was a matter of small consequence. +Diplomatists, knowing the close relations existing between Turkey and +Germany, were inclined rather to ask whether this alleged purchase was +not merely an excuse for assuring the safety of an expensive warship, +which would certainly have been sunk either by a French or by a British +squadron on emerging from the Dardanelles. Up to the time of going to +press that question has not been satisfactorily answered. + +The Constantinople Correspondent of _The Daily Telegraph_ reported that +just before he left Constantinople on August 4th, the Germans there +spread all kinds of wild rumours which were given the imprint of their +Embassy--such, for example, as that M. Poincaré had been assassinated, +that civil war had broken out in France, that the Germans had entered +Belgium triumphantly, and that their arrival in Paris was imminent. +Moreover, the German and Austrian diplomatists told Turkey confidently +that the German and Austrian armies would very soon be both in Paris +and Warsaw. They held out to the Turks various alluring propositions, +such as the suppression of the capitulations, the crushing of the +Russian "Colossus," and so on, in order to induce the Turks not to +proclaim their neutrality, but rather to adopt a hostile attitude +towards Russia and consequently to the Triple Entente. In face of the +superhuman efforts made by the German and Austrian agents the diplomacy +of the Triple Entente remained inactive. + +The German military mission under General Liman von Sanders, on its +side, commenced an agitation parallel with that of Austro-German +diplomacy among the Turkish officers, most of whom had received their +training and education in Germany. However, the Grand Vizier, Djavid +Bey, Talaat Bey, and Djemal Pasha, but not Enver Pasha, struggled +to secure in the Council of Ministers the triumph of the policy of +strictest neutrality, persuaded that for Turkey it was preferable to +maintain an attitude of prudent expectation and not to enter into +any engagement. Experience had shown them that their Balkan enemies, +for the moment divided among themselves, would probably end by +reconstituting their alliance and falling on the Turks, and agreeing +among themselves as to the partition of Turkey in Europe. These +considerations prevailed, and the Ottoman Government proclaimed strict +neutrality, while taking all military and naval precautions which +events dictated. This was solemnly declared by Talaat Bey and Djavid +Bey in Parliament on Sunday, August 2nd. + +By August 31st, however, the situation had again become grave. It +was stated that Turkey might declare war at any moment--it was only +a matter of a few days, and it might be less. All the efforts of the +Powers of the Triple Entente had failed, and the situation at the +Turkish Embassy in London was admitted to be extremely grave. The +arrival of the _Panther_ at Smyrna was thought to be the concluding +incident in Turkey's preparations, as it was understood that the +vessel, like the _Goeben_ and _Breslau_, was to be bought by Turkey. + +The military party at Constantinople, headed by Enver Pasha, was now +practically dominant, and it was declared that if the Grand Vizier +raised objections he would be replaced. This party had come to the +conclusion, in which it was carefully supported by Germany, that the +time was ripe for throwing its full fighting force into the balance +and securing the restoration of Macedonia--at any rate of the whole +Salonika district, as well as the islands which were conquered by +Greece in the war. + +German officers and men in large numbers were now pouring into +Constantinople to help the Turkish army and navy in the coming +campaign. Germany was practically taking over the control of the fleet +as well as of the army, and it was thought that Turkey would thus be +able to meet the Greek navy on the open sea. Turkey, too, apparently +counted on the fact that if she declared war the Balkan States would +quarrel among themselves. On the contrary, it was held in Triple +Entente circles that the Balkan Alliance against her, which had been so +successful in the first war, would be once again called into existence. + +Moreover, the intervention of Turkey into the sphere of hostilities, +although nominally directed against Greece only, would have been +regarded as a declaration of war by the Powers of the Triple Entente. +They would have lent the Balkan Powers the support of their fleets in +the Mediterranean, in which case they would soon have disposed of all +the Turkish and German ships. + +The British Government was fully aware, as were all the other Allies, +of the gravity of the situation, and of the fact that attempts would be +made to create trouble in Egypt, in India, and elsewhere. They warned +Turkey that in starting on any such campaign she would be signing her +own death-warrant. + +The suggestion that an attempt would be made to stir up an insurrection +in Egypt was certainly plausible, though it may be pointed out that the +German diplomatists at the same time made another suggestion which, if +carried out, would have been equally effective or ineffective. Although +England is practically mistress of Egypt, Egypt is nevertheless in all +strictness not British territory, but Turkish territory, administered +by British officials. It might, therefore, have been argued with some +show of reasonableness that any movement of troops against Egypt on the +part of Turkey could not be construed by us in an unfriendly sense, as +Turkey would, after all, merely be moving troops from one part of her +own territories to another. + +The second German suggestion was that the Turkish Army Corps at Bagdad +might be moved towards the Persian Gulf with the object of quelling the +risings in the neighbourhood of Koweit, which is in an almost perpetual +state of unrest. It happens that the Persian Gulf has always admittedly +been an English sphere of influence, and that the small Province of +Koweit, governed by a Sheik, was not unconnected with the proposed +termination of the Bagdad Railway. The status of the Sheik of Koweit +has always been obscure and was supposed to have been "regulated" by +the Anglo-Turkish agreement, the details of which were under discussion +when war broke out. It might conceivably be urged that here again +Turkey could move masses of troops to another part of her own territory +and thus strike indirectly on Great Britain. + +In reply to these statements and the dishonourable implications which +they conveyed, both the Turkish Ambassadors in London and Paris and the +Turkish Department for Foreign Affairs at Constantinople gave explicit +assurances that Turkey would not take any step inconsistent with her +neutrality. It must be remembered that ever since the revolution in +1908, Turkey had received very little practical assistance from +Germany, apart from the tinkering with her army. The best advisory +officials and all the money were supplied to the Ottoman Government +by France and Great Britain. Further, it was believed that, even in +the face of German bribes and threats, Turkey would hold back if only +out of regard for the stability of her rather precarious empire of +Thrace in Asia Minor. In view of a possible Turkish participation in +the war, Russia had taken the precautionary measure of massing, it was +said, more than half a million troops on the Turkish frontier; and if +the Turks had intervened on behalf of Germany, it was believed that +Roumania and Greece would take the field on behalf of England, France, +and Russia. The position of Bulgaria was fully realised to be more +doubtful, as out of all the countries constituting the Balkan League, +Bulgaria had profited least as the result of the campaign in 1912-13; +and she had vainly appealed for some kind of "compensation" to both +groups of the Great Powers. + +On September 4th, Roumania, it was announced for the first time, +had joined the Great Powers in warning Turkey that a breach of her +neutrality would be fraught with disastrous consequences to the +Ottoman Empire. In view of the questions at issue between Turkey and +Greece, delegates met at the Roumanian capital, Bucharest, to discuss +matters. On September 6th, however, the Ambassadors representing +France, England, and Russia at Constantinople deemed it advisable once +more to warn the Austrian Government, and it was stated that many +European families in Constantinople were beginning to leave the city, +as it seemed probable that war was about to be declared. It was clear +from the diplomatic intelligence which came through that the Turkish +Government had itself decided for neutrality, but was being swayed in +its decision by the German Ambassador at Constantinople, Baron von +Wanggenheim. + +It need hardly be added that during this period of grave tension, +German Press agents were busy in the Balkans generally. Extraordinary +reports were sent to the newspapers in Athens, Sofia, and Bucharest, +with the customary object of showing that Germany was winning in every +direction and would eventually be the strongest Power in Europe. The +German Minister in Athens declared at the end of August that no German +port had been blockaded by the British Fleet, and that the North Sea +was still open for German commerce. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + Polish Independence--The Tsar's Rescript--Japanese Action--Germany in + the Far East--Samoa and Togoland. + + +IF German diplomacy had been at work, assuredly diplomatists on the +other side had not been idle. One of the most dramatic announcements +in connection with the war was that contained in the Tsar's rescript +undertaking that, in the event of a Russian victory, the remains of the +Kingdom of Poland, which had been divided among Germany, Austria, and +Russia, would be united under the kingship of the Tsar. + + "Poles!" said the rescript. "The hour has struck in which the fervent + dream of your fathers and forefathers can be realised. + + "A century and a half ago the living body of Poland was torn in + pieces, but her soul has not perished. It lives on in the hope that + the hour of the renaissance of the Polish nation, of its fraternal + reconciliation with Great Russia, will come. + + "Russian troops bring you the glad tidings of this reconciliation. + + "May the frontiers be obliterated which split up the Polish nation. + May it unite itself under the sceptre of the Russian Tsars. + + "Under this sceptre Poland will be born anew, free in her faith, her + speech, and her self-government. + + "One thing only Russia expects from you--like regard for the rights of + the nationalities with which history has connected you. + + "With open heart, with outstretched, brotherly hand, Great Russia + approaches you. She believes that the sword which overthrew the enemy + at Gruenwald has not rusted. + + "From the shores of the Pacific to the northern seas the Russian war + forces are moving forward. + + "The dawn of a new life is opening upon you. May the Sign of the Cross + shine forth from this dawning symbol of sufferings and resurrection of + nations." + +The Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievitch, Commander-in-Chief of the +Russian Forces, also issued an order making it known to the active army +and the whole population of the Empire that Russia was waging war in +consequence of the challenge thrown down by the common enemy of all +Slavs. + +The order proceeds: + + "The Poles in Russia and those of Germany and Austria who show their + loyalty to the Slav cause will have the special protection of the + Russian Army and Government in so far as their personal and material + security is concerned. + + "Any attempt to interfere with the personal rights of Poles who have + not been guilty of acts hostile to Russia will be punished with all + the severity of martial law." + +The moment was ripe for the issue of such a proclamation, for it +naturally tended to unite the Poles on the side of Russia. It was +not, however, a proclamation drawn up on the spur of the moment and +published in August for the sake of its immediate effect. As soon +as the news was known in Paris, M. Gabriel Hanotaux, writing in the +_Figaro_, made a remarkable announcement in connection with the Tsar's +rescript granting self-government to all three Polands. M. Hanotaux +revealed the fact that the Tsar himself, as long ago as eighteen years, +then a young Sovereign, confided to him his dream of reviving Poland. + +"In this memorable interview, of which I took down every detail, he +himself broached the painful subject, and said, 'I know what my duties +are towards our Slav brethren of Poland.' For eighteen years I did +not breathe a word of this interview, but I can speak now. Since then +I followed the gradual and wise demonstrations of the Imperial will. +At various intervals pacifying measures, too often hampered by the +bureaucracy and by certain parties at Court, proved that the Emperor +had not lost sight of his purpose. When lately, against the wish of +the Council of the Empire, he promulgated _proprio motu_ an ukase +announcing that his Imperial Majesty wished Poland to preserve the +official use of her tongue and the right to direct recourse to the +supreme authority, I felt that the moment of realization was at hand." + +On the same subject, Mr. Sidney Whitman, another well-known authority, +writing to the _Pall Mall Gazette_ (August 21st), said: + +SIR.--It may not be known to the generality of your readers that the +Tsar's intention to resuscitate the kingdom of Poland--at least as +far as regards Russian Poland--is by no means a new project. It was +already entertained by the Emperor Alexander I., but came to nothing. +It is matter of common knowledge that Polish autonomy was one of the +items in the programme of the Zemstow Congress in Moscow in 1905 and +was unanimously supported by the Polish delegates. Of less common +knowledge, however, is the fact that some of the most distinguished of +the Russian delegates were also in favour of it. When I was in that +city in November, 1905, as special correspondent of the _New York +Herald_, I had occasion to discuss this question with Prince Eugene +Troubetzkoi, Alexander Gutschkoff, and Prince Paul Dolgoroukow, the +Marshal of the Moscow nobility. + +Prince Troubetzkoi's words to me were as follows: + +"In my opinion, Poland must receive a form of self-government, the +exact nature of which, however, in view of the peculiar conditions +which exist through the close proximity of Austrian and Prussian +Poland, can only be the subject of careful consideration. The question +has been discussed from two different points of view by the members of +the Zemstow Congress; they are unanimous, however, with regard to one +point, which is that no rupture or break in the unity of the Russian +Empire shall take place." + +During a stay in Warsaw a few days previously I found, much to my +surprise, that the antagonism of the educated Poles towards the +Russian régime was much less marked than towards Prussia and even +towards Austria, where, as everybody knows, the Galician Poles are +more liberally treated than either in Russia or Prussia. I also found +unanimity among the same class of people with regard to the view that +for economical reasons alone Poland could not afford to be cut off from +the Russian Empire, in which the Poles find the best market for their +industry, which has made great strides in the course of the present +generation. Another consideration in favour of Poland retaining its +connection with Russia is that the Russian Empire opens up a wide field +for good careers to the more intelligent of the Poles in nearly every +sphere of life. + +These features seem to speak in favour of the ultimate realization of +the Tsar's project in face of victory in the present war. + + * * * * * + +This rescript regarding Poland, of course, was different from the +Tsar's Imperial manifesto to the Russian people, which met with such an +enthusiastic response. This manifesto was issued on Sunday, August 2nd, +to justify Russia's armed opposition to Germany, and it said: + +By the grace of God, we, Nicholas II., Emperor and Autocrat of all the +Russias, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Finland, etc., etc., to all our +faithful subjects make known that Russia, related by faith and blood to +the Slav peoples and faithful to her historical traditions, has never +regarded their fates with indifference. The fraternal sentiments of the +Russian people for the Slavs has been awakened with perfect unanimity +and extraordinary force these last few days, when Austria-Hungary +knowingly addressed to Servia claims inacceptable for an independent +State. + +Having paid no attention to the pacific and conciliatory reply of the +Servian Government, and having rejected the benevolent intervention of +Russia, Austria made haste to proceed to an armed attack and began to +bombard Belgrade, an open place. Forced by the situation thus created +to take the necessary measures of precaution, we ordered the Army and +Navy to be put on a war footing, while using every endeavour to obtain +a peaceful solution of the _pourparlers_ begun, for the blood and +property of our subjects are dear to us. + +Amid friendly relations with Germany and her ally Austria, contrary +to our hopes in our good neighbourly relations of long date and +disregarding our assurances that the measures taken were in pursuance +of no object hostile to her, Germany began to demand their immediate +cessation. Having been rebuffed in this demand, she suddenly declared +war on Russia. To-day it is not only the protection of the country +related to us and unjustly attacked that must be carried out, but we +must also safeguard the honour, dignity, and integrity of Russia and +her position among the Great Powers. + +While these diplomatic steps were being taken in the West, our Allies +in the Far East were not idle. Before, however, reference is made to +the action taken by Japan at an early stage in the war, a brief account +may be given of Germany's varied interests and scattered possessions in +the Far East. + +Early in November, 1897, two missionaries from the Fatherland were +waylaid and killed by professional robbers in a remote part of the +Province of Shantung. It was a regrettable incident, for which China, +in the ordinary way, would have made any amends in her power, but it +offered Germany an opportunity she had long desired of acquiring a +naval base on easy terms on the Yellow Sea. + +A few days after the murder of the missionaries, the Kaiser's Pacific +Squadron anchored in Kiao-Chau, an ultimatum being sent to the Chinese +general to leave with his troops within three hours. He did so under +protest; the German flag was hoisted, and after negotiations with Pekin +the matter was settled in March, 1898, by the leasing of the bay and +adjacent territory to the Emperor for ninety-nine years, a period which +everyone at the time concluded would be indefinitely extended. It was +this lease, obtained in so flagrant a way, which Japan was so soon to +tear up. + +Facing the Yellow Sea, about 350 miles in a direct line south-east of +Pekin, and almost opposite the southern extremity of Korea, the bay +of Kiao-Chau is less than two miles wide at its entrance. Within it +extends over an area of something like 150 square miles of deep water, +affording at all times a safe anchorage for ships of any size. The +German naval base of Tsing-Tau stands on the north-east shore, at the +outlet of the bay, which is entirely surrounded by hills from 400ft. to +600ft. high, most of them offering admirable sites for fortifications. + +If the defensive works, planned when the place was seized, have been +carried out and fully armed, the harbour must present formidable +obstacles to a sea attack, while the land approaches are guarded by a +series of fortifications across the head of the peninsula. The garrison +consists of 5,000 German marines and a small force of Chinese soldiers, +the remainder of the white population being very inconsiderable. + +Described as the key to Northern China, Kiao-Chau, besides its value +as a harbour of refuge for warships, is of considerable commercial +importance. The district inland under German authority abounds in +mineral and metalliferous wealth, an abundant supply of good coal being +not the least of its riches. The local native industries are chiefly +connected with fruits and vegetables, silk culture, brewing, and +soap-making. Two years ago the imports amounted in value to £5,746,900 +and the exports to £4,014,750. In the winter months the harbour is the +natural outlet for the trade of Northern China, a railway 272 miles +long, from Tsing-Tau to Poshan, having much increased its value in this +direction. + +Besides Tsing-Tau, Germany owns many scattered possessions in the +Pacific, all of which it may be thought desirable to take charge of, +if not by reason of their actual worth, yet to prevent their use as +wireless stations or hiding-places for commerce-destroying cruisers. + +One of the most important Teutonic properties in the Southern +Pacific stretches along the northern coast of eastern New Guinea. +When it was taken over by the Berlin Government in 1884, it received +the name of Kaiser Wilhelm Land, its new owners entertaining high +expectations as to its future, though the Australians greatly disliked +the establishment of a German colony so close to their shores. The +territory shares the fertility of all other Pacific regions. The +cultivated area is probably about 50,000 acres, and susceptible of +almost indefinite extension. + +Coco, sago, and other palms are largely grown; ebony wood and bamboo +is exported in large quantities, as well as copra and mother-of-pearl +shells, which the natives collect for exchange against European goods. +The hills are densely wooded with tropical vegetation, but in the +clearings a good many cattle and goats are kept. With Long and Dampier +Islands, German New Guinea is 70,000 square miles in extent, and has a +population of 530,000 natives, besides 700 whites, of whom 90 per cent. +come from the Fatherland. + +In the same year that Germany absorbed the above-mentioned colony at +the back-door of the Australian continent, she also took over the +closely adjoining Bismarck Archipelago, containing 20,000 square miles. +Here again the soil is fertile from the seashore up to the mountain +ranges, where gold in paying quantities has been found. The islands, +which are of very varied sizes, export cotton, coffee, copra, and +rubber, the latter chiefly grown by a white population numbering under +500. The natives, with a considerable intermixture of Chinese, number +188,000. The seat of the Government, both for the Archipelago and +Kaiser Wilhelm Land, is Herbertshöhe, in the main island. + +Still further to the south-east a part of the Solomon group is under +the Teutonic flag, including the considerable islands of Bougainville +and Buka, both doing a large trade in sandal wood, tortoiseshell, and +other tropical products. The Caroline, Ladrone, and Pelew Islands, in +all 160 square miles, and the Marshall Islands, 160 square miles in +extent, all form part of the German New Guinea Protectorate. Amongst +the largest of these is Babelthuap, the remainder ranging downwards in +size to uninhabited coral or volcanic rocks scattered about the waste +of Pacific waters. Their total white population is not more than 1,500. + +In the Samoan group Germany was, until early in September, a neighbour +of the United States, her possessions here including Savaii and Upolu. +She obtained them in November, 1899. The former has an area of 660 +and the latter of 340 square miles, the native inhabitants being +respectively 12,800 and 20,600, the Europeans numbering about 500. All +the islands are extremely productive, copra and cocoa beans being chief +articles of export, while a considerable trade in rubber has lately +arisen. Wireless stations exist at Apia, the capital, as at Nauru, in +the Marshall Islands. + +Some time after the outbreak of war an expedition was sent against +Samoa from New Zealand, and on Thursday, September 3rd, a message +reached the Governor at Wellington to the effect that the German +Governor of Samoa had surrendered, and had been sent with other +prisoners to Fiji. The landing of troops was carried out with great +expedition, and the Union Jack was hoisted at half-past twelve on the +afternoon of August 29th. + +In the middle of August it was thought desirable that Japan should +move, and the decision to this effect was announced on the evening of +August 17th in the following statement by the Press Bureau: + +The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, having been in +communication with each other, are of opinion that it is necessary for +each to take action to protect the general interests in the Far East +contemplated by the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, keeping especially in +view the independence and integrity of China, as provided for in that +agreement. + +It is understood that the action of Japan will not extend to the +Pacific Ocean beyond the China Seas, except in so far as it may be +necessary to protect Japanese shipping lines in the Pacific, nor beyond +Asiatic waters westward of the China Seas, or to any foreign territory +except territory in German occupation on the continent of Eastern Asia. + +Two days before this the following ultimatum was delivered by Japan to +Germany, through the medium of the Japanese Ambassador at Berlin: + +We consider it highly important and necessary in the present situation +to take measures to remove the causes of all disturbance of peace in +the Far East, and to safeguard general interests as contemplated in the +Agreement of Alliance between Japan and Great Britain. + +In order to secure firm and enduring peace in Eastern Asia, the +establishment of which is the aim of the said Agreement, the Imperial +Japanese Government sincerely believes it to be its duty to give advice +to the Imperial German Government to carry out the following two +propositions: + +(1) Withdraw immediately from Japanese and Chinese waters the German +men-o'-war and armed vessels of all kinds, and to disarm at once those +which cannot be withdrawn. + +(2) To deliver on a date not later than September 15th, to the Imperial +Japanese authorities, without condition or compensation, the entire +leased territory of Kiao-Chau, with a view to the eventual restoration +of the same to China. + +The Imperial Japanese Government announces at the same time that in the +event of its not receiving, by noon on August 23rd, an answer from the +Imperial German Government signifying unconditional acceptance of the +above advice offered by the Imperial Japanese Government, Japan will +be compelled to take such action as it may deem necessary to meet the +situation. + +Some anxiety was felt lest this step should not meet with approval +in the United States, in view of the anti-Japanese feeling there; +but following a conference between President Wilson and Mr. Bryan, +President Wilson said to newspaper men that the Government had +assurances from Japan that the latter would preserve the territorial +integrity of China in the event of Germany forcing war on Japan by +rejecting the Japanese ultimatum. The President said no reason was +apparent for the belief that Japan would try to draw the United States +into the conflict, and that America would preserve its neutrality; +but, at the same time, would insist that Japan should do everything +to preserve the integrity of China. The action of Japan created no +surprise in Washington, as it had been expected. + +No reply was given by the German Government, and in consequence the +Japanese proceeded to invest Kaio-Chau. Within a couple of weeks they +had occupied seven small islands in the neighbourhood of the German +concession, and had removed over 1,000 mines from the adjacent waters. +The case for Japan was stated explicitly at a special session of the +Japanese Diet which began on Saturday, September 5th. A full account +of the proceedings is contained in the following Reuter's telegram from +Tokyo: + +Count Okuma, the Premier, said he believed that the reasons leading to +the convoking of a special session would be thoroughly understood. He +asked for the support of Parliament, and said the army and navy were +doing their full duty. He asked the Diet to pass the extraordinary +Budget framed in connection with the war. + +Baron Kato, in his speech, reviewed the events leading up to the +war between Japan and Germany, and the breaking off of diplomatic +relations with Austria. He first outlined the situation in Europe, +showing that force of circumstances had decided Great Britain to +participate in the war. Continuing, he said, "Early in August the +British Government asked the Imperial Government for assistance under +the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. German men-of-war and armed +vessels were prowling around the seas of Eastern Asia, menacing our +commerce and that of our ally, while Kiao-Chau was carrying out +operations apparently for the purpose of constituting a base for +warlike operations in Eastern Asia. Grave anxiety was thus felt for the +maintenance of peace in the Far East. + +"As all are aware," he added, "the agreement and alliance between +Japan and Great Britain has for its object the consolidation and +maintenance of general peace in Eastern Asia and the maintenance of +the independence and integrity of China as well as the principle of +equal opportunities for commerce and industry for all nations in that +country, and the maintenance and defence respectively of territorial +rights and special interests of contracting parties in Eastern Asia. +Therefore, inasmuch as we were asked by our ally for assistance at +a time when commerce in Eastern Asia, which Japan and Great Britain +regard alike as one of their special interests, is subjected to +a constant menace, Japan, who regards that alliance as a guiding +principle of her foreign policy, could not but comply to the request to +do her part." + +"Germany's possession of a base for powerful activities in one corner +of the Far East," the Minister added, "was not only a serious obstacle +to the maintenance of permanent peace but also threatened the immediate +interests of the Japanese Empire." "The Japanese Government," Baron +Kato continued, "therefore resolved to comply with the British request +and if necessary to open hostilities against Germany. After the +Imperial sanction had been obtained I communicated this resolution to +the British Government and a full and frank exchange of views between +the two Governments followed and it was finally agreed between them to +take such measures as were necessary to protect the general interests +contemplated in the agreement and the alliance. Japan had no desire +or inclination to become involved in the present conflict, only she +believed she owed it to herself to be faithful to the alliance and to +strengthen its foundation by insuring permanent peace in the East and +protecting the special interests of the two allied Powers." + +"Desiring, however, to solve the situation by pacific means the +Imperial Government on August 15th gave the following advice to the +German Government. (Here the Minister quoted the text of the Japanese +ultimatum.) Until the last moment of the time allowed, namely, until +August 23rd, the Imperial Government received no answer and in +consequence the Imperial rescript declaring war was issued the next +day." + +Baron Kato briefly referred to Austria-Hungary, with whom, as she had +only the most limited interests in the Far East, Japan desired to +maintain peaceful relations as long as possible. At the same time it +appeared that Austria-Hungary also desired to avoid complications. "In +fact, as soon as Japan and Germany entered into a state of war," the +Foreign Minister went on to say, "Austria-Hungary asked for the consent +and good offices of the Imperial Government to permit the _Kaiserin +Elizabeth_, the only Austrian man-of-war in the Far East likely to +force a state of war, to go to Shanghai and there to disarm. I was +about to communicate to the Austrian Ambassador the fact that Great +Britain and Japan did not entertain any objections to the disarming of +the _Kaiserin Elizabeth_, when suddenly on August 27th the Austrian +Ambassador informed me that in consideration of Japan's action against +Germany his Government instructed him to leave his post, and diplomatic +relations were broken off." + +In conclusion Baron Kato said, "When the relations of Japan and Germany +reached the point of rupture the Imperial Government asked the American +Government if in case of need it would be good enough to undertake the +protection of Japanese subjects and interests in Germany. This request +the American Government promptly complied with and subsequently upon +the rupture of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria-Hungary +the Imperial Government again appealed for American protection for +Japanese subjects and interests in Austria-Hungary, when the American +Government gave the same willing consent. I desire to avail myself of +this opportunity to give expression to the sincere appreciation of the +Imperial Government of the courtesy so kindly extended by the American +Government." + +Finally Baron Kato concluded by saying, "While regretting that Japan +has been compelled to take up arms against Germany, I am happy to +believe that the army and navy of our illustrious sovereign will not +fail to show the same loyalty and valour which distinguished them in +the past, so that all may be blessed by early restoration of peace." + + * * * * * + +That the war was being carried a stage further was seen from the +following announcement, made by the Press Bureau on August 26th: + +The Secretary of State for the Colonies learns from Temporary +Lieutenant-Colonel Bryant, our officer commanding in German Togoland, +that the German wireless telegraph installation at Kamina has been +destroyed by enemy, and that they sent this (Wednesday) afternoon +a flag of truce, offering, if given all the honours of war, to +capitulate, and stipulating for specific terms. He replied that they +were not in a position to ask for terms, and that they must surrender +unconditionally. He told them that we always respected private +property, and that there would be as little interference as possible +with the trade of the country and the private interests of firms. + +He has advanced, and has occupied the crossing at River Amu. The German +answer is expected to-night or early to-morrow morning. + +[Later] + +In continuation of the statement issued to-day from the Colonial +Office, the Secretary of State for the Colonies announces that he has +received information from the officer commanding the troops in Togoland +that Togoland has surrendered unconditionally, and that the Allied +Forces will enter Kamina at eight a.m. to-morrow (Thursday) morning. + + * * * * * + +It was officially stated that the British Force engaged consisted of +a detachment of the Gold Coast Regiment of the West African Frontier +Force, under the command of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel F.C. Bryant, +R.A. + +The destruction of the German wireless station in Togoland practically +isolated German South-West Africa from Germany. This station in +Togoland was built at Kamina, 1913-14, and was designed to act as a +halfway station for the big station at Windhoek, the capital of German +South-West Africa. The latter station--the station at Daressalam +also having been destroyed--could now only "speak" to Nauen to take +orders from Berlin when the conditions are extremely favourable, as, +notwithstanding the great altitude on which the Windhoek station is +built, direct communication with Germany was not possible, the stations +being equipped on the telephone system, more than one day in ten, and +then only for a few "spasmodic" minutes per day. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + French Government leaves Paris--Triple Entente Declaration--An + Important French Protest to the Powers--Aid from Dominions and + India--South Africa's Expedition--The King's Proclamations. + + +TOWARDS the end of August, although the long line of the Allied Forces +remained unbroken, the commanders had thought it advisable to fall +back in the direction of Paris, so that the left wing of the allied +troops could rest on Paris, and their right wing on the great fortress +of Verdun. Paris, being itself a strongly fortified town, formed an +admirable western base for the operations of the defending armies. + +It was not, of course, expected that the invaders would succeed in +entering Paris, as the capital could be defended not merely by its +own strong ring of fortresses, but by the left wing of the army. If, +however, as was certainly expected, battles were to wage round the +capital, the work of the Government would have become impossible and +difficulties might be experienced by the Cabinet in keeping itself in +communication with the commander-in-chief. It was therefore decided +that the capital should be removed to some other city, just as the +Belgian capital had been transferred from Brussels to Antwerp. Tours +was at first spoken of as the new seat of government, but the final +choice rested on Bordeaux, a well-situated seaport and a city of +really excellent communications to all parts of the country. Early in +September, therefore, it was decided that the transfer should take +place, and on September 3rd the President of the Republic and all his +Ministers addressed the following Proclamation to the country: + +People of France + +For several weeks sanguinary combats have taken place between our +heroic troops and the enemy's army. The bravery of our soldiers has +gained for them at several points marked success, but to the north the +pressure of the German forces has compelled us to retire. + +This situation imposes upon the President of the Republic and the +Government the painful decision that in order to watch over the +national safety the duty of the authorities is to leave Paris. Under +the command of an eminent leader a French army full of courage and +energy will defend the capital and the patriotic population against +the invader, but the war must be continued at the same time on the rest +of the territory without peace or truce, without stay or weakness. +The sacred struggle for the honour of the nation and reparation for +violated right will continue. + +None of our armies has been broken. If some have sustained too +perceptible losses the gaps will be immediately filled from the depôts, +and the call for recruits assures us for the morrow new resources in +men and energy to endure and to fight. + +That must be the watchword of the Allied British, Russian, Belgian, and +French Armies--to endure and to fight, whilst on the sea the British +aid us to cut the communications of our enemies with the world, to +endure and to fight, whilst the Russians continue to advance to deal a +decisive blow at the heart of the German Empire. + +To the Government of the Republic belongs the duty of directing this +stubborn resistance everywhere for French independence. To give +this formidable struggle all its ardour and all its efficacy it is +indispensable that the Government should remain free to act on the +demand of the military authorities. The Government is removing its +residence to a point where it can remain in constant relations with the +whole of the country. It requests Members of Parliament not to hold +aloof, in order to form before the enemy a united alliance. + +The National Government does not leave Paris without having assured the +defence of the city and the entrenched camp by all the means in its +power. The Government knows there is no need to advise the Parisian +population to calmness, resolution and coolness. + +Frenchmen, be worthy in these tragic circumstances! We shall obtain a +final victory; we shall obtain it by untiring will, by endurance and +tenacity. + +A nation which does not desire to perish and which, wishing to live, +recoils neither before sufferings nor sacrifices is certain to conquer. + +Two days afterwards an important declaration, signed by the +representatives of England, Russia and France, was issued in London and +in the other capitals. By this declaration the Governments concerned +agreed not to conclude peace separately during the war. The following +is the text of the declaration as issued by the Press Bureau on the +afternoon of September 5th: + +Declaration + +The undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective +Governments, hereby declare as follows: + +The British, French, and Russian Governments mutually engage not to +conclude peace separately during the present war. The three Governments +agree that when terms of peace come to be discussed no one of the +Allies will demand conditions of peace without the previous agreement +of each of the other Allies. In faith whereof, the undersigned have +signed this Declaration and have affixed thereto their seals. + +Done in London in triplicate this 5th day of September, 1914. + + (L.S.) E. GREY + + (His Britannic Majesty's Secretary + of State for Foreign + Affairs). + + (L.S.) PAUL CAMBON + + (Ambassador Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiary of the French + Republic). + + (L.S.) BENCKENDORFF + + (Ambassador Extraordinary and + Plenipotentiary of His Majesty + the Emperor of Russia). + + Paris, _September 4th_. + +The adherence of Japan to this declaration was subsequently notified. +Belgium could not participate in it for technical reasons, her +neutrality being "guaranteed." + +On the same day the French Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed a +strongly-worded communication to the Powers with reference to the +German atrocities in Belgium and France. This communication was as +follows: + +The numerous violations of international law by the Germans have led +the Government of the Republic to address to the representatives of the +Powers in Paris memoranda which are intended to set forth indisputable +facts. These are selected merely as examples, and we could not bring to +the notice of the Powers every act contrary to the laws of war of which +we receive accounts day by day. This first series of memoranda will +suffice to establish the two following classes of facts: + +First, the armies and Government of Germany profess the deepest scorn +for international law and for treaties solemnly recognised by Germany. + +Secondly, the devastations of the invaded countries (incendiarism, +murder, pillage, and atrocities) appear to be systematically pursued by +order of the leaders, and are not due to acts of indiscipline. + +It is necessary to emphasise this two-fold characteristic of the +German proceedings. They constitute a negation of every human and +international law, and bring back modern warfare, after centuries of +civilisation, to the methods of barbarian invasions. We are confident +that such facts will arouse the indignation of neutral States, and +will help to make clear the meaning of the struggle which we are +carrying on for the respect of law and the independence of nations. + +To the communiqué were attached ten separate memoranda, setting forth +various specific charges against the Germans. + +The first memorandum dealt with the dispatch of wounded prisoners and +similar atrocities. + +A report from the Commander-in-Chief of the eastern armies, dated +August 10th, stated that a considerable number of wounded had been +finished off by shots fired point-blank into their faces, while others +had been deliberately stamped and tramped upon. The Bavarian infantry +systematically burned villages through which they had passed, although +there had been no artillery fire which could provoke such measures. + +The second memorandum detailed the circumstances of the bombardment +of Pont-à-Mousson, an unfortified place, in violation of The Hague +Convention, and the use of dum-dum bullets by the Germans was dealt +with in the third memorandum. On August 10th, after an engagement, +a French surgeon found a clip containing five cartridges with +cylindro-conical bullets, the noses of which had been filed. Similar +bullets were found in the bodies of French soldiers, and were forwarded +to the Ministry of War. + +In the fifth memorandum the German allegation that the civilian +population had taken part in the war was strongly denied, and was +declared to be nothing but a pretext put forward to justify the +atrocities committed by the German troops and give them the appearance +of reprisals. From the beginning of the war the Germans had made a +practice of burning undefended villages and of assassinating the +inhabitants, and evidence of this was to be found in letters and +notebooks taken from Germans, dead or prisoners. + +A notebook found on a corpse of a German lieutenant contained the +following remark: "We have fired the church of Villerupt and shot the +inhabitants. We pretended that scouts had taken refuge in the tower of +the church and had fired on us from there. The fact was, it was not the +inhabitants of Villerupt, but Customs officers and forest guards who +fired on us." + +The sixth memorandum gave detailed evidence in support of the charge +that a systematic devastation of the country had been ordered by the +German leaders. Letters found on German soldiers made it clear that the +burning of villages and the shooting of the inhabitants were general +measures, and that the orders were given by superior officers. + +Attention was called to this violation of The Hague Convention, and it +was pointed out that it was on the proposal of the German delegates at +the second Hague Conference that an article was inserted declaring that +the belligerent guilty of such violation should be liable to pay an +indemnity. + +In the remaining memoranda information was given as to the destruction +of villages in the region of Paris, the murder of Red Cross nurses, and +the burning of Affleville, under circumstances of particular brutality. + +The statement concluded: "The Government of the Republic, respecting +international conventions which it has ratified, protests against those +violations of international law, and holds up to reprobation before the +opinion of the world the behaviour of an enemy who respects no rule and +goes back on his signature affixed to international agreements." + +It was observed with immense satisfaction, not merely throughout the +British Empire, but by our allies in the field, that Britain in her +oversea possessions was quick to come forward with offers of help as +soon as the situation on the Continent became known. In Canada, for +example, the Government voted large supplies of wheat, cheese and so +forth for the troops, and also undertook to raise two contingents, +each 20,000 strong, to take part in the campaign. Patriotic funds were +started in all the large towns throughout the Dominion, and the women +of Canada raised funds for a supplementary naval hospital. + +Similar measures were taken by the Australian Government, and both +Ministers and ex-Ministers declared that Australia would offer "the +vigour of her manhood, the bounty of her soil resources, her economic +organisation, all she possesses to the last ear of corn and the last +drop of blood." This quotation is taken from a speech by Mr. Millen, +the Commonwealth Minister of Defence, speaking at Melbourne on August +23rd. Similar utterances were delivered by his colleagues and by the +Parliamentary Opposition. An appeal to Australians to form an Imperial +Expeditionary Force resulted in an almost immediate reply from 20,000 +volunteers. + +Offers of help on a proportionate scale came from New Zealand and South +Africa; and the South African Government took steps both to guard the +Union from German raids and to co-operate with the Imperial troops in +any movement that might be made against the adjacent German colonies. +A later and momentous step by the South African Union, taken at the +request of the Imperial Government, was notified in the subjoined +communications from Reuter's Agency: + + Cape Town, + _Sept. 9th, 1914_. + +A special session of Parliament, necessitated by the situation arising +from the war, and the mobilisation of the Defence forces, was opened +to-day by Lord Buxton. + +The Governor-General's first act was to read a personal message from +the King, acknowledging the many proofs of loyalty displayed by South +Africa in common with the rest of the Empire, and of its determination +to play a part in the great conflict forced upon Great Britain. His +Majesty relies with confidence upon the people of South Africa to +maintain and to add fresh lustre to the splendid traditions of courage, +determination, and endurance which they have inherited. + +At the evening session of the House of Assembly General Botha moved the +following resolution: + + This House, fully recognising the obligations of the Union as + a portion of the British Empire, respectfully requests the + Governor-General to convey a humble address to his Majesty, assuring + him of its loyal support in bringing to a successful issue the + momentous conflict which has been forced upon him in defence of + the principles of liberty and international honour, and of its + whole-hearted determination to take all measures necessary for + defending the interests of the Union and co-operating with His + Majesty's Imperial Government to maintain the security and integrity + of the Empire, and further humbly requesting His Majesty to convey + to His Majesty the King of the Belgians its admiration for and its + sincere sympathy with the Belgian people in their heroic stand for the + protection of their country against the unprincipled invasion of its + rights. + +General Botha, who spoke with deep feeling, was followed with the most +earnest attention by a thronged House. The Premier said that never had +the Parliament of South Africa assembled at a more critical time. He +emphasised that the Imperial Government had informed the Government +that certain war operations in German South-West Africa were considered +to be of strategic importance. The Imperial Government added that if +the Union Government could undertake these operations they would be +regarded as of great service to the Empire. The Empire to which South +Africa belonged was involved in one of the greatest and cruellest wars +which had ever befallen humanity. + +General Botha continued: "The Government, after careful consideration, +decided to comply with the request in the interests of South Africa as +well as of the Empire. There could only be one reply to the Imperial +Government's request. + +"To forget their loyalty to the Empire in this hour of trial would +be scandalous and shameful, and would blacken South Africa in the +eyes of the whole world. Of this South Africans were incapable. They +had endured some of the greatest sacrifices that could be demanded +of a people, but they had always kept before them ideals, founded on +Christianity, and never in their darkest days had they sought to gain +their ends by treasonable means. The path of treason was an unknown +path to Dutch and English alike. + +"Their duty and their conscience alike bade them be faithful and true +to the Imperial Government in all respects in this hour of darkness and +trouble. That was the attitude of the Union Government; that was the +attitude of the people of South Africa. The Government had cabled to +the Imperial Government at the outbreak of war, offering to undertake +the defence of South Africa, thereby releasing the Imperial troops for +service elsewhere. This was accepted, and the Union Defence Force was +mobilised." + +With regard to the operations in South-West Africa, General Botha +declared that there could be only one response to the Imperial +Government's wishes, unless they wished to contemplate a situation much +more serious than that which now confronted them. + +He wished them to understand the seriousness of the position, and to +accept the responsibility which they would be called upon to accept. He +placed himself with confidence in the hands of the House. General Botha +detailed the German entry into Union territory at Nakob (Nauby). This +force was entrenched in kopjes in Union territory at the present time. +He also described an affair at Scuitdrift in August. In addition to +this, armed German forces were on the Union frontier in large numbers +before there was any question of Union mobilisation. + +The Premier said he quoted the foregoing to show the hostile attitude +adopted by Germans in the neighbouring territory. He next referred to +the White Paper on the diplomatic proceedings on the eve of war. These +documents, he declared, showed that if ever Great Britain entered upon +a war with clean hands it was this war. + +Great confidence had been reposed in the people of South Africa. They +had received a Constitution under which they could create a great +nationality. Great Britain had given them this Constitution, and +ever since had regarded them as a free people and as a sister State. +As an example of how the Imperial Government treated them, General +Botha said that last July the Union Government wanted to raise a loan +of £4,000,000. They had raised only £2,000,000. As things were, it +would be fatal to go into the money market just now, so the Imperial +Government had now come to the assistance of the Union Government, and +had lent the Union £7,000,000. That was the spirit of co-operation and +brotherhood which invariably animated the Imperial towards the Union +Government. + +In his judgment it was the duty of the House to see that every effort +was put forth to bring the country successfully and honourably out of +this war, and that South Africa issued from it, not as a divided, but +as a united, people. + +Sir Thomas Smartt, leader of the Opposition, heartily congratulated +General Botha on his speech, and assured the Government of the most +cordial support of the Opposition. + + London, + _Sept. 9th_. + +Reuter's Agency learns from an authoritative source that the line to +be followed by the Union Government of South Africa, as outlined in +General Botha's speech, has been well known in official circles for +some time. From the outset there has been the closest touch between +the Imperial and the Union Governments, both as regards the general +attitude of the latter and the military requirements in view of the war +with Germany. On the outbreak of war a brief but significant telegram +was received from General Botha, containing merely the words, "We will +do our duty." + +What this implies as regards the neighbouring German colony cannot, for +obvious reasons, be stated in detail at this stage. It may be declared, +however, that the news of the crossing of the Orange River by two +German forces spread like wildfire through South Africa and caused a +feeling of the greatest indignation, and, without any suggestion from +the Imperial Government, steps were at once taken--and have since been +completed--for effectually dealing with German South-West Africa. + +It was on the initiative of General Botha's Government that, on the +outbreak of war with Germany, the Union Government telegraphed to +London suggesting that the garrison of Imperial troops should be +withdrawn, and offering the whole military resources of South Africa +for the defence of the Union, including the native territories. + +It had by this time become apparent that this meant not only defence, +but also offensive operations against the adjoining German colony of +326,000 square miles in extent, with its garrison and fortifications. +What this involved was perfectly well known to the authorities, who +were aware of the large quantities of cannon, arms, and ammunition that +had been poured into the country in the vain hope that the Boers would +join the Germans when trouble arose. + +The South African Government does not expect a "walk-over," but it is +prepared for all eventualities. It has been a matter of the greatest +gratification to the Union Government that, at this juncture, the +Imperial Government offered to give South Africa all the financial +assistance needed. In this connection it should be explained that all +defence measures and warlike operations are being undertaken at the +expense of the Union Government. The offer of the Imperial Government, +which is of great value in view of the moratorium, is to lend what +money may be necessary for the time being for war purposes. + +At home, too, by way of showing how united the nation was at this +critical time, it should be mentioned that after a two days' +conference, the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, +issued, on September 3rd, an important manifesto to trade unionists of +the country on the war. It stated that the committee was especially +gratified at the manner in which the Labour party in the House of +Commons had responded to the appeal made to all political parties to +give their co-operation in securing the enlistment of men to defend the +interests of their country, and heartily endorsed the appointment upon +the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee of four members of the party, +and the placing of the services of the national agent at the disposal +of that committee to assist in carrying through its secretarial work. + + * * * * * + +The manifesto proceeded: + +The Parliamentary Committee are convinced that one important factor in +the present European struggle has to be borne in mind, so far as our +own country is concerned, namely, that in the event of the voluntary +system of military service failing, the country in this its time of +need, the demand for a national system of compulsory military service +will not only be made with redoubled vigour, but may prove to be so +persistent and strong as to become irresistible. + + The prospect of having to face conscription, with its permanent and + heavy burden upon the financial resources of the country, and its + equally burdensome effect upon nearly the whole of its industries, + should in itself stimulate the manhood of the nation to come forward + in its defence, and thereby demonstrate to the world that a free + people can rise to the supreme heights of a great sacrifice without + the whip of conscription. + +Another factor to be remembered in this crisis of our nation's history, +and most important of all so far as trade unionists and Labour in +general are concerned, is the fact that upon the result of the +struggle in which this country is now engaged rests the preservation +and maintenance of free and unfettered democratic government which in +its international relationship has in the past been recognised, and +must unquestionably in the future prove to be the best guarantee for +the preservation of the peace of the world. + + The mere contemplation of the overbearing and brutal methods to which + people have to submit under a Government controlled by a military + autocracy--living, as it were, continuously under the threat and + shadow of war--should be sufficient to arouse the enthusiasm of the + nation in resisting any attempt to impose similar conditions upon + countries at present free from military despotism. + +But if men have a duty to perform in the common interest of the +State, equally the State owes a duty to those of its citizens who are +prepared--and readily prepared--to make sacrifices in its defence and +for the maintenance of honour. Citizens called upon voluntarily to +leave their employment and their homes for the purpose of undertaking +military duties have a right to receive at the hands of the State +a reasonable and assured recompense, not so much for themselves as +for those who are dependent upon them, and no single member of the +community would do otherwise than uphold a Government which in such an +important and vital matter took a liberal, and even generous, view of +its responsibilities towards those citizens who come forward to assist +in the defence of their country. + +We respectfully commend this suggestion to the favourable consideration +of the Government of the day. + +Long life to the free institutions of all democratically-governed +countries. + + J.A. Seddon, Chairman + W.J. Davis, Vice-Chairman + A. Evans + H. Gosling + J. Hill + J. Jenkins + W. Matkin + W. Mosses + J.W. Ogden + J. Sexton + A. Smith + H. Smith + J.B. Williams + J.H. Williams + + C.W. Bowerman, Secretary. + +A manifesto on the same lines was issued by Mr. Ben Tillett, on behalf +of the Dockers' Union. Mr. Ben Tillett was usually regarded as being +the leader of one of the extreme sections of the Labour movement; but +his manifesto, which reads as follows, lacked nothing in patriotism: + +Every resource at our command must be utilised for the purpose of +preserving our country and nation. Every able-bodied man must either +fight, or be ready to defend his country. Every family of those men who +go to the front must be guaranteed a competence and food. + +We first of all propose that all able-bodied men should shoulder the +responsibilities this war imposes; that local units of men having +worked and lived together constitute units of a thousand each, for the +better purpose of training and preparation. That these units of our +members or of trades unionists from a given area be registered. + +Kaiserism and militarism should receive its death blow in this +Armageddon. Our traditions at least stand for the best, our limitations +and inequalities are largely of our own making; and will be so long as +the workers are contented slaves, under a vicious wage system. + +I want to see our own men drilled daily, even if the War Office +cannot help us. There are plenty of open spaces, many of our men are +ex-soldiers, they could help in the drilling. Municipal authorities +and employers could help. Employed and unemployed could help; the War +Office should help those who can enlist, subject to guarantees from the +Government, giving protection to the families left behind. + + * * * * * + +It subsequently appeared that the preliminary steps taken by the +South African Government were timely enough. _The Daily Telegraph's_ +Johannesburg correspondent, telegraphing on September 1st, said that +the authorities had been perturbed by a number of serious reports to +the effect that Germans were interfering with the natives, and inciting +them to seditious gatherings. This action assumed such a character as +to demand instant action. Alleged German missionaries were even sowing +the seeds of discontent in the natives' minds against British rule, +magnifying the temporary German success in Europe. It was suggested +that the Government might turn the searchlight on all German mission +stations in British South Africa. Intelligent natives had been informed +that the Germans were "coming soon," when the natives would be given +big pay, plenty of drink, and no passes would be necessary. They were +also advised to go home, the evident purpose being to paralyse the +mining industry. + +On August 31st the English newspapers contained an important interview +given by Mr. Winston Churchill to Mr. Willian G. Shepherd, the +representative of the United Press Associations of America. The text of +the interview, in Mr. Shepherd's own words, is as follows: + +On my asking Mr. Churchill about the cause of the war, he handed me +the celebrated White Paper of Sir Edward Grey's negotiations, saying: +"There is our case, and all we ask of the American people is that they +should study it with severe and impartial attention." + +I then asked what was the underlying cause apart from the actual steps +which had led to the rupture. He replied in effect that the war was +started and was being maintained by the Prussian military aristocracy, +which set no limits to its ambition of world-wide predominance. In a +word, it is the old struggle of 100 years ago against Napoleon. The +grouping of forces is different; the circumstances are different; the +occasion is different; the man, above all, is different--happily. +But the issue is the same. We are at grips with Prussian militarism. +England stands right in the path of this evergrowing power. Our +military force is perhaps small, but it is good and it will grow; our +naval and financial resources are considerable; and with these we stand +between this mighty army and a dominion which would certainly not be +content with European limits. + +I asked whether the end of the war would see some abatement of the +struggle of armaments. Mr. Churchill replied: + + That depends on the result. If we succeed, and if, as the result of + our victory, Europe is rearranged, as far as possible, with regard to + the principle of nationality, and in accordance with the wishes of the + people who dwell in the various disputed areas, we may look forward + with hope to a great relaxation and easement. But if Germany wins it + will not be the victory of the quiet, sober, commercial elements in + Germany, nor of the common people of Germany with all their virtues, + but the victory of the blood and iron military school, whose doctrines + and principles will then have received a supreme and terrible + vindication. + +"I cannot understand," he continued, "why Germany has not been +contented with her wonderful progress since the Battle of Waterloo. For +the last half century she has been the centre of Europe; courted by +many; feared by many; treated with deference by all. No country has had +such a reign of prosperity and splendour, yet all the time she has been +discontented; solicitous of admiration; careless of International Law; +worshipping force and giving us all to understand that her triumphs in +the past and her power in the present were little compared to what she +sought in the future. + +"And now the great collision has come, and it is well that the +democratic nations of the world--the nations, I mean, where the +peoples own the Government, and not the Government the people--should +realise what is at stake. The French, English, and American systems of +government by popular election and parliamentary debate with the kind +of civilisation which flows from such institutions are brought into +direct conflict with the highly efficient Imperialist bureaucracy and +military organisation of Prussia. That is the issue. No partisanship is +required to make it plain. No sophistry can obscure it." + +I asked whether the democracy of the United States, apart from the +moral issues involved, had any direct interests in the result of the +war. + +"You are the judges of that," replied the First Lord. "You do not +require me to talk to you of your interests. If England were to be +reduced in this war, or another which would be sure to follow from it +if this war were inconclusive, to the position of a small country like +Holland, then, however far across the salt water your country may lie, +the burden which we are bearing now would fall on to your shoulders. + +"I do not mean by that that Germany would attack you, or that if +you were attacked you would need to fear the result so far as the +United States was concerned. The Monroe Doctrine, however, carries +you very far in South as well as North America; and is it likely that +victorious German militarism, which would then have shattered France +irretrievably, have conquered Belgium, and have broken for ever the +power of England, would allow itself to be permanently cut off from +all hopes of that oversea expansion and development with which South +America alone can supply it? + +"Now the impact is on us. Our blood which flows in your veins should +lead you to expect that we shall be stubborn enough to bear that +impact. But if we go down and are swept in ruin into the past, you are +the next in the line. + +"This war is for us a war of honour; of respect for obligations +into which we have entered; and of loyalty towards friends in +desperate need. But now that it has begun it has become a war of +self-preservation. The British democracy, with its limited monarchy, +its ancient Parliament, its ardent social and philanthropic dreams, +is engaged for good or for ill in deadly grapple with the formidable +might of Prussian autocratic rule. It is our system of civilisation and +government against theirs. It is our life or theirs. + +"We are conscious of the greatness of the times. We recognise the +consequence and proportion of events. We feel that, however inadequate +we may be, however unexpected the ordeal may be, we are under the eye +of history, and, the issue being joined, England must go forward to the +very end." + +While I was speaking to Mr. Churchill a telegram came in from Belgium +announcing the total destruction of the town of Louvain as an act +of military execution. Handing it to me, he said: "What further +proof is needed of the cause at issue? Tell that to your American +fellow-countrymen. You know," he added, "I am half American myself." + + * * * * * + +The most remarkable demonstration of enthusiastic loyalty, however, +came from India. It was no surprise to those acquainted with the +conditions in our great Asiatic Empire to know that all classes and +creeds were united in their devotion to the British Crown; but it was +evident from the comments which followed the statements in Parliament +on September 9th that the munificent offers made to the Viceroy had +astonished the whole world. By the middle of August it was known that +many Indian Chiefs had been addressing inquiries to the Viceroy in the +spirit of the ruler of the ancient State of Rewa, who wrote: "What +orders from His Majesty for me and my troops?" + +On September 9th, the Marquis of Crewe, the Secretary of State for +India, in the House of Lords, and Mr. Charles Roberts, Under-Secretary +of State for India, in the House of Commons, read telegrams from the +Viceroy summarising the offers of the Indian chiefs. Amid glowing +excitement and enthusiasm, the Houses learned that Sir Pertab Singh +despite his seventy years "would not be denied his right to serve the +King-Emperor," and that he was taking with him among his troops his +young nephew, the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, a boy of sixteen. The State +of Nepal sent seven battalions of Gurkhas, and there were many other +offers of men, money, and jewels. The following long cablegram sent +by the Viceroy to the Secretary of State for India on September 8th +describes the offers of service: + +Following is a summary of offers of service, money, etc., made in India +to the Viceroy. The rulers of the Native States in India, who number +nearly 700 in all, have with one accord rallied to the defences of the +Empire and offered their personal services and the resources of their +States for the war. + +From among the many Princes and nobles who have volunteered for active +service, the Viceroy has selected the Chiefs of Jodhpur, Bikaner, +Kishangarh, Rutlam, Sachin, Patiala, Sir Pertab Singh, Regent of +Jodhpur, the Heir-Apparent of Bhopal and a brother of the Maharaja of +Cooch Behar, together with other cadets of noble families. The veteran +Sir Pertab would not be denied his right to serve the King-Emperor, +in spite of his 70 years, and his nephew, the Maharaja, who is but 16 +years old, goes with him. + +All these have, with the Commander-in-Chief's approval, already joined +the Expeditionary Forces. The Maharaja of Gwalior and the Chiefs of +Jaora and Dholpur, together with the Heir-Apparent of Palanpur, +were, to their great regret, prevented from leaving their States. +Twenty-seven of the larger States in India maintain Imperial Service +troops, and the services of every corps were immediately placed at the +disposal of the Government of India on the outbreak of war. + +The Viceroy has accepted from twelve States contingents of cavalry, +infantry, sappers, and transport, besides a camel corps from Bikaner, +and most of them have already embarked. As particular instances of +generosity and eager loyalty of the Chiefs, the following may be +quoted: Various Durbars have combined together to provide a hospital +ship, to be called "The Loyalty," for the use of the Expeditionary +Forces. The Maharaja of Mysore has placed Rs.50 lacs at the disposal +of the Government of India for expenditure in connection with the +Expeditionary Force. + +The Chief of Gwalior, in addition to sharing in the expense of the +hospital ship, the idea of which was originated with himself and the +Begum of Bhopal, has offered to place large sums of money at the +disposal of the Government of India and to provide thousands of horses +as remounts. From Loharu, in the Punjab, and Las Bela and Kalat, in +Baluchistan, come offers of camels with drivers, to be supplied and +maintained by the Chiefs and Sardars. + +Several Chiefs have offered to raise additional troops for military +service should they be required, and donations to the Indian Relief +Fund have poured in from all States. The Maharaja of Rewa has offered +his troops, his treasury, and even his private jewellery, for the +service of the King-Emperor. In addition to contributions to the Indian +Fund, some Chiefs, namely, those of Kashmir, Bundi, Orchha, Gwalior and +Indore, have also given large sums to the Prince of Wales' Fund. + +The Maharaja of Kashmir, not content with subscribing himself to the +Indian fund, presided at a meeting of 20,000 people held recently at +Srinagar, and delivered a stirring speech, in response to which large +subscriptions were collected. + +Maharaja Holkar offers, free of charge, all horses in his State army +which may be suitable for Government purposes. Horses also offered by +Nizam's Government, by Jamnagar and other Bombay States. Every chief +in the Bombay Presidency has placed the resources of his State at the +disposal of Government, and all have made contributions to the relief +fund. + +Loyal messages and offers also received from Mehtar of Chitral and +tribes of Khyber Agency as well as Khyber Rifles. + +Letters have been received from the most remote States in India, all +marked by deep sincerity of desire to render some assistance, however +humble, to the British Government in its hour of need. + +Last, but not least, from beyond the borders of India have been +received generous offers of assistance from the Nepal Durbar; the +military resources of the State have been placed at the disposal of +the British Government, and the Prime Minister has offered a sum of +Rs.3 lakhs to the Viceroy for the purchase of machine guns or field +equipment for British Gurkha regiments proceeding over-seas, in +addition to large donations from his private purse to the Prince of +Wales' Fund and the Imperial Indian Relief Fund. + +To the 4th Gurkha Rifles, of which the Prime Minister is honorary +colonel, the Prime Minister has offered Rs.30,000 for the purchase of +machine guns in the event of their going on service. + +The Dalai Lama of Tibet has offered 1,000 Tibetan troops for service +under the British Government. His Holiness also states that Lamas +innumerable throughout the length and breadth of Tibet are offering +prayers for success of British Army and for happiness of souls of all +victims of war. + +The same spirit has prevailed throughout British India. Hundreds of +telegrams and letters received by Viceroy expressing loyalty and desire +to serve Government, either in the field or by co-operation in India. +Many hundreds also received by local administrations. They come from +communities and associations, religious, political, and social, of all +classes and creeds, also from individuals offering their resources or +asking for opportunity to prove loyalty by personal service. Following +may be mentioned as typical examples: + +The All-India Moslem League, the Bengal Presidency Moslem League, the +Moslem Association of Rangoon, the trustees of the Aligarh College, +the Behar Provincial Moslem League, the Central National Mohammedan +Association of Calcutta, the Khoja Community and other followers of Aga +Khan, the Punjab Moslem League, Mohammedans of Eastern Bengal, citizens +of Calcutta, Madras, Rangoon, and many other cities, Behar Landholders' +Association, Madras Provincial Congress, Taluqoars of Oudh, Punjab +Chiefs' Association, United Provinces Provincial Congress, Hindus of +the Punjab, Chief Khalsa Diwan representing orthodox Sikhs, Bohra +Community of Bombay, Parsee Community of Bombay. + +Delhi Medical Association offer field hospital that was sent to Turkey +during Balkan War; Bengalee students offer enthusiastic services for +an ambulance corps, and there were many other offers of medical aid; +Zemindars of Madras have offered 500 horses, and among other practical +steps taken to assist Government may be noted the holding of meetings +to allay panic, keep down prices, and maintain public confidence and +credit. Generous contributions have poured in from all quarters to +Imperial Indian Relief Fund. + + * * * * * + +The Secretary of State for India further announced that, in addition to +the offers of service and assistance in connection with the war, which +had been made in India to the Viceroy, the following offers had been +received from Chiefs and others residing in this country: + +Their Highnesses the Maharaja and the Maharani Maji Sahiba of +Bharatpur: (1) The whole resources of their State; (2) Two motor-cars +and a chauffeur, with all expenses; (3) Rs.2,000 to the Indian Relief +Fund. + +His Highness the Raja of Akalkot: Personal service in the field. + +His Highness the Raja of Pudukota: "All I possess"; expresses his +anxiety to serve in any capacity. Has placed his motor-car at the +disposal of Government, and is returning to India to raise, subject to +approval, a regiment of his subjects to release a Regular regiment. + +His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda: All his troops and resources. + +Mir Ghulam Ali Khan of Khairpur: Personal service in the field. + + * * * * * + +The British Indian residents in this country of every class and creed, +added the official statement, had been forward with loyal and generous +offers of personal services and help. + +At the same time the India Council issued a summary of the proceeding +in the Viceroy's Council, from which it was evident that all the +members, Hindus and Mohammedans, were eager to emphasise the fact that +the various sections of the populace they represented wished to do +all in their power to help the Empire at such a critical period. The +text of the passage of Lord Hardinge's speech in the Viceroy's Council +dealing with the dispatch of troops from India to the seat of war was +as follows: + +It is no longer a secret that India has already dispatched two splendid +divisions of infantry to Europe and one cavalry brigade, while three +more cavalry brigades will follow immediately. That we have been in a +position to send over 70,000 combatants to fight for the Empire across +the seas is a source of pride and satisfaction to India as a whole, +and with the knowledge that practically all the ruling chiefs have +placed their military forces and the resources of their States at the +disposal of the Government, it is clear that we are not at the end of +our military resources. + +Among the chiefs selected to accompany the expeditionary force are the +Maharaja Sir Pertab Singh, the Maharajas of Bikanir, Patiala, Rutlam, +Kishengarh, and Jodhpur, the Nawabs of Jaora, Sachin, and Bhopal, and +also the Malik Umar Hayat. + + * * * * * + +Steps were taken to circulate the announcement widely throughout the +world; and Lord Lansdowne, in welcoming the offer in the House of +Lords, remarked: + +Few in this country realise how great a thing it is that these ruling +chiefs should come forward in this way to assist us. I wonder how many +realise that the Maharaja of Mysore rules over a population which +exceeds that of Sweden, that the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior has more +subjects than the King of Denmark, that the Nizam of Hyderabad governs +a people three times as numerous as the people of Ireland. + +It is no small thing that these rulers should have come forward without +exception and given practical proof of their desire to help. On behalf +of those who sit on this side of the House I congratulate the Marquis +of Crewe on the manner in which the India Office has been supported at +this critical time, and I congratulate the Viceroy, to whom, at the +moment when he must have had many sad preoccupations, the response of +the people of India must have brought consolation and encouragement. + +Our cordial thanks ought also to be conveyed to the people of India +and to the loyal chiefs who have stood by us in so conspicuous a manner. + + * * * * * + +In response to the offers of help, the King was pleased to issue the +following message: + +To the Governments and Peoples of My Self-Governing Dominions + +During the past few weeks the peoples of My whole Empire at Home and +Overseas have moved with one mind and purpose to confront and overthrow +an unparalleled assault upon the continuity of civilisation and the +peace of mankind. + +The calamitous conflict is not of My seeking. My voice has been cast +throughout on the side of peace. My Ministers earnestly strove to allay +the causes of strife and to appease differences with which My Empire +was not concerned. Had I stood aside when in defiance of pledges to +which My Kingdom was a party the soil of Belgium was violated and her +cities laid desolate, when the very life of the French nation was +threatened with extinction, I should have sacrificed My honour and +given to destruction the liberties of My Empire and of mankind. I +rejoice that every part of the Empire is with Me in this decision. + +Paramount regard for treaty faith and the pledged word of rulers and +peoples is the common heritage of Great Britain and of the Empire. + +My peoples in the Self-governing Dominions have shown beyond all doubt +that they wholeheartedly endorse the grave decision which it was +necessary to take. + +My personal knowledge of the loyalty and devotion of My Oversea +Dominions had led me to expect that they would cheerfully make the +great efforts and bear the great sacrifices which the present conflict +entails. The full measure in which they have placed their services and +resources at My disposal fills Me with gratitude, and I am proud to be +able to show to the world that My Peoples Oversea are as determined +as the People of the United Kingdom to prosecute a just cause to a +successful end. + + * * * * * + +The DOMINION of CANADA, the COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA, and the +DOMINION of NEW ZEALAND have placed at My disposal their naval forces, +which have already rendered good service for the Empire. Strong +Expeditionary forces are being prepared in Canada, in Australia, and +in New Zealand for service at the Front, and the UNION of SOUTH AFRICA +has released all British Troops and has undertaken important military +responsibilities, the discharge of which will be of the utmost value to +the Empire. NEWFOUNDLAND has doubled the numbers of its branch of the +Royal Naval Reserve and is sending a body of men to take part in the +operations at the Front. From the Dominion and Provincial Governments +of Canada large and welcome gifts of supplies are on their way for the +use both of My Naval and Military Forces and for the relief of the +distress in the United Kingdom which must inevitably follow in the wake +of war. All parts of My Oversea Dominions have thus demonstrated in the +most unmistakable manner the fundamental unity of the Empire amidst all +its diversity of situation and circumstance. + + * * * * * + +To the Princes and Peoples of India, the King-Emperor sent a special +message. The first two paragraphs were identical in wording with +those in the message sent to the Dominions. The message to India then +continued: + +Paramount regard for treaty faith and the pledged word of rulers and +peoples is the common heritage of England and of India. + +Among the many incidents that have marked the unanimous uprising of the +populations of My Empire in defence of its unity and integrity, nothing +has moved me more than the passionate devotion to My Throne expressed +both by My Indian subjects, and by the Feudatory Princes and the Ruling +Chiefs of India, and their prodigal offers of their lives and their +resources in the cause of the Realm. Their one-voiced demand to be +foremost in the conflict has touched My heart, and has inspired to the +highest issues the love and devotion which, as I well know, have ever +linked My Indian subjects and Myself. I recall to mind India's gracious +message to the British nation of goodwill and fellowship, which greeted +My return in February, 1912, after the solemn ceremony of My Coronation +Durbar at Delhi, and I find in this hour of trial a full harvest and a +noble fulfilment of the assurance given by you that the destinies of +Great Britain and India are indissolubly linked. + + * * * * * + +At the very beginning of the struggle, Germany had made a determined +effort to win the friendship of the United States. From the great +American Republic the great European autocracy wanted three things: +moral support, money, and assistance in rescuing the German mercantile +marine. German shipping to the amount of hundreds of thousands of tons +was imprisoned in American ports; to venture outside would have been +to court disaster from the strong squadrons of the British and French +cruisers in the Atlantic. It was therefore suggested by the numerous +Germans in New York and Washington, and by Germans who had become +naturalised Americans, that with a view to the restoration of American +shipping it would be a good plan to purchase from Germany the numerous +German liners lying idle in American waters. The scheme did not make +sufficient progress for any definite amount of money to be mentioned; +but it was stated that the value of the steamers was estimated at +£20,000,000--a sum which would have been very useful to Germany in +carrying on the campaign. + +Acting under instructions from their Governments, protests were lodged +at Washington by the British and French Embassies against this proposed +transfer of German merchant shipping to a neutral flag. Legally the +transfer would have been objectionable; and in any case the scheme was +supported in America almost entirely by financiers of German extraction +and was bitterly opposed by all American shipowners and shipbuilders. +It is satisfactory to state that the New York correspondent of _The +Daily Telegraph_, cabling on September 1st, said that the American +Government had decided not to buy the German vessels, but would confine +itself to purchasing neutral ships only. + +Apart from this matter, the sympathies of the United States, in spite +of the fact that some 30,000,000 of its inhabitants were of German +extraction, were favourable to the Allies and not to the Teutonic +Powers. The German case was set forth in many American newspapers +with all the force of which the German Press Bureau was capable; and +many well-known German professors used their influence to show that +the struggle was one between culture and barbarism, the culture being +represented by Germany and the barbarism by Russia. Whatever sympathy +such statements as these aroused at first was speedily transferred to +the other side when the American public began to hear, not merely of +the German atrocities in Belgium, but of the brutal manner in which +the neutrality of small and friendly countries such as Belgium and +Luxembourg had been violated by the invaders. The German Ambassador at +Washington, Count Bernstorff, was kept busy explaining why "strictness" +was necessary in warfare; but no one took kindly to his explanation +regarding the burning of Louvain, viz.: "War is not an afternoon +tea-party." + +By the end of August, some of the American papers began to wonder +why the German Press agents in America were able to flood the Press +with what they alleged to be the only trustworthy news respecting the +situation at the front. It was said that this news was being sent by +wireless to the German Embassy at Washington by way of the Sayville +Wireless Station. An investigation at Washington disclosed the +interesting fact that the Sayville Wireless Station could not possibly +be in direct communication with Germany, as the distance was too great. +The German Ambassador's explanation was that the messages were being +relayed by German warships; but this was not credited, as it was known +that very few German warships were in the Atlantic and that they were +being kept continually on the move by the British and French Fleets. + +Various organisations, both in Germany and in the United States, +attempted to appeal to American sentiments by issuing pamphlets +containing alleged facts regarding the campaign. The influence of +these pamphlets, however, was a great deal more than balanced by the +Chancellor's contemptuous reference to the "scrap of paper," described +in the first chapter of this book. + +Furthermore, it was pointed out in the American Press that Germany, so +far as her social and military system was concerned, represented the +antithesis of American ideals, and that a victory for Germany would +inevitably lead to the imposition of her strict military system upon +the world in general. Again, as a result of the falling off in imports +from England, France, and Germany, the American customs receipts +declined very considerably, and it was announced early in September +that it would be necessary, in view of this falling off, to raise some +£20,000,000 by internal taxation. The American Press promptly blamed +the Kaiser for thus inconveniencing the financial arrangements of +the United States, and the feeling against Germany in America became +stronger than ever. + +By way of climax, a striking expression of opinion came from one +of the best-known American educationalists, Professor W.G. Hales. +Professor Hales communicated his views to the London correspondent of +the _New York Times_, in which paper they appeared on September 7th. +He advocated an immediate declaration of war by the United States +against Germany for the latter's violation of The Hague Conventions, +particularly in its use of floating mines and its destruction of +Louvain. + +"What has always been wanted," continued Professor Hales, "is a +sanction for the pacts of nations. There could be no more splendid +sanction than the declaration of a great nation outside the immediate +conflict that, where she is a party, they shall, so far as lies in her +power, be kept sacred. + +"Germany has confessed enough. Louvain has been blotted out. For the +German planting of mines in the open sea alone it is our duty to +declare war. The facts have changed the whole aspects of things, since +President Wilson's plea for patience was made. We should ourselves +guarantee the commerce of neutrals and of the allied nations, leaving +the English Fleet free to do its separate work. We should, by this mere +act of declaration, shut off food from Germany. We should take our part +in the great struggle instead of smugly sitting by while the world's +work is done by other nations. Even Germany would then know that her +plot against humanity had been both judged and doomed. The insolent +cry, 'Deutschland über Alles', provides no exception for the United +States. At the moment of Germany's success we must transform ourselves +into a nation whose first business is war. Through South America she +would strike at us next. + +"I have been all my life a fighter for peace, but I appeal to President +Wilson, the Senate, and my private fellow-citizens, of whatever +descent, to end the system of aggression and defence by arms, and to +replace it with international law and international police." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + The Economic Position--Moratorium Extension--Great Britain's Oversea + Trade--Germany's Commerce--Question of Food Supplies--Importance of + the Balkans--"Petrograd." + + +IN the midst of military, diplomatic, and political turmoil, the +responsible departments of the Government paid very necessary attention +to finance. In the course of an interesting speech in the House of +Commons on August 26th, Mr. Lloyd George showed that he was looking +after the financial and commercial welfare of the country. His speech +ranged over a variety of subjects, and he indicated that the new £1 +and 10s. notes would in time be regarded as a recognised part of the +regular currency, and that they would not be entirely supplanted by +the coming issue of certificates. As to the latter, the Chancellor of +the Exchequer stated that their object was really to create credit. +This might be considered, if taken literally, a somewhat dangerous +statement; but the hope was generally expressed that care would be +taken in granting these certificates and preventing their over issue. +As this speech was of considerable importance, a quotation from the +official reports is given below: + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he did not know why there should +be any scarcity of silver. It was not due to any shortage of the issue +from the mint, and it looked as if there had been some hoarding, a very +stupid thing. When the public got more accustomed to the 10s. and £1 +notes there would be less difficulty in getting silver. With regard to +the design of the new notes they would be totally different from the +designs of the Scottish notes, some of which were beautiful. + +They had had to consider a good many things, such, for instance, +whether the notes would be easily forgeable. Then they must have a +watermark which could be easily seen. For these reasons they had had to +disregard the very artistic designs of the Scottish notes. It was much +more difficult to imitate simplicity. Therefore, they had decided in +favour of the simple note because once they had started this currency +it might very well become quite popular and part of the regular +currency. + +With regard to the certificates the object was really that they should +rather create credit without issuing the actual notes. It was purely +a certificate that the banks were entitled to so much currency. They +need not draw upon it, although they could, and the knowledge that +they had got so much credit at the Treasury enabled them to make their +arrangements for financing the trade of the country. + +A question raised by Sir A. Markham with regard to the clearing +of German notes touched a very difficult, dangerous, and delicate +operation. The real danger was that somehow or other bills which were +due for this country to Germany might be honoured. For that reason they +had to take very great care that the transaction was not one-sided. He +hoped to be able in the course of the next few days to set up some form +of machinery that would attempt the operation, but they must take very +good care that they were not financing the enemy. Certificates would +only cover the case of banks; they would not cover insurance companies. + +Proceeding, Mr. Lloyd George said that with regard to the general +question it was certainly desirable that a statement should be made as +to the arrangements entered into by the Government with regard to the +finance of the country, and he hoped in the course of a few days to do +so. + +There were two or three very special difficulties as to which he had +not, personally, been able to make up his mind. The first was with +regard to the moratorium. A number of hon. gentlemen thought it ought +to be brought to a speedy termination. (Cries of "No," and "Hear, +hear.") He would tell the House what had been done on the subject. +He had issued a questionaire to some of the leading traders of the +country; he had not merely consulted bankers in the City of London. Up +to three o'clock that day he had received something like 8,000 replies +to the question which he had put. They were in the proportion of +something like 4,500 in favour of bringing the moratorium to an end on +September 4th, to 3,500 in favour of extending it. + +Bankers and financing houses were almost unanimously in favour of +extending it. + +Retail traders were in favour of putting an end to it, but only by a +majority. + +Manufacturers, he should say, were two to one in favour of bringing it +to an end, but the one-third represented very important interests in +the manufacturing world. They were very much afraid that if it were +brought to an end there might be a crash. It was therefore a thing that +could not be decided altogether by a majority. + +Merchants, both in the foreign and home trades, were in favour of an +extension of the moratorium. + +He was inclined to consider whether it was possible to get a limited +moratorium, which would protect those particular interests without +interfering with those who would rather have no moratorium at all. +While about 10,000 forms of inquiry had been issued, that did not +represent all that had been done. He had endeavoured to ascertain +the opinions of bakers, butchers, and other retailers through their +societies. The result was that they were hopelessly divided on the +subject. The Government would have to come to a decision within the +next few days. + +As an instance of different points of view, he might mention that at a +meeting of traders at the Treasury last week, one gentleman said that +as a colliery proprietor he would like to bring the moratorium to an +end, but as a merchant he would like it to continue. He agreed that the +steps which had been taken with regard to the discontinuing of bills +involved risks, but this was a time when they must take risks; they +must keep up the credit of the country, so that they might not find +at the end of the war that the important business which they had been +transacting for the whole civilised world had passed away to some other +country. + +A good deal depended on the banks. The Government had done for the +banks as much as they could have expected. But the Government did not +do it in order to strengthen the banks' finances or to increase their +business, but to enable them to finance the trade of the country. If +the Government and the country were prepared to take risks, the banks +must take risks. He agreed that a very considerable number of banks had +behaved admirably. He thought that the action of other banks had been +due to timidity and over-caution. They had to think about their own +depositors. He did not think they were considering their shareholders +or the price of their shares, but they considered themselves to be +trustees of their depositors. + +The time had come, however, when the banks ought to make advances with +the credit of the State behind them. He had called the attention of +the banks to complaints he had received, and had said that unless the +traders received the usual and even greater facilities for carrying on +in this special emergency, he had no doubt the House of Commons would +take action which would place behind the trade of the country the +necessary credit. He was glad to be able to say that the banks had come +to the conclusion, after careful consideration, that they could finance +business much more liberally than they were able to do during the first +fortnight. + +An hon. member had called attention to the fact that the foreign +exchanges had broken down, and that the bridge had not been quite +repaired. That was true. It had been a very sudden snap of +communications. He hoped every day for improvement, but if it was +necessary to take any further action in order to expedite matters, then +he might have to come to the House of Commons. But he did not think +it was. The discounting of bills would have the effect that the banks +would find it necessary in their own interest to use the liberated cash +for the purpose of financing trade. + + * * * * * + +Later, on September 8th, Mr. Lloyd George, replying to a deputation +from the Association of Municipal Corporations at the Treasury, +referred to the important part which finance would play in the war. In +the course of his speech he said: + +In my judgment the last few hundred millions may win this war. This is +my opinion. The first hundred millions our enemies can stand just as +well as we can; but the last they cannot, thank God; and therefore I +think cash is going to count much more than we can possibly imagine at +the present moment. We are only at the beginning now. Of course if we +have great victories and smashing victories that is all right, but then +they may not come yet. We may have fluctuations, and things may last +long. + +We are fighting a very tough enemy, who is very well prepared for the +fight, and he will probably fight to the very end before he will accept +the only conditions upon which we can possibly make peace, if we are +wise. + +We financed Europe in the greatest war we ever fought, and that is what +won. Of course, British tenacity and British courage always come in, +and they always will; but let us remember that British cash told too. +When the others were absolutely exhausted we were getting our second +breath, and our third and our fourth, and we shall have to spend our +last before we are beaten. I want the municipalities to remember that. + +Our trade is not going. The seas are ours, and they will remain +ours. We shall get not merely our own trade, except that of European +countries, but we shall get a good deal of the enemy's trade as well, +and, of course, there is always the business which is necessary in +order to keep the war going. So that there will be a great deal of +employment in the ordinary course of business. + + * * * * * + +While we are on this subject of finance and economics, it may be well +to refer briefly to Germany's position. It was known that Germany +alone among the European Powers kept a well filled war chest. It was +understood that up to 1913, the war reserve amounted to £6,000,000 +in gold. Under the new Army Law of 1913, it was stipulated that +this reserve should be trebled. There was reason to believe that in +addition the German Government had put aside for the purposes of the +present war about £30,000,000 out of the £50,000,000 which it had been +hoped to raise by last year's special war levy. Although some of this +cash was spent on preparing the new Army Corps, and possibly also +in strengthening the fortresses, it was generally believed that the +greater part of it was kept in reserve to meet the initial expenses of +the present campaign. + +In addition to this, of course, large sums were obtained from Belgium +in the form of war levies. The Province of Brabant, for example, +was mulcted to the extent of £18,000,000, Brussels to the extent +of £10,000,000, Liège £2,000,000, and smaller towns in proportion. +From the cities on the French border, as well as from various towns +in Belgium, large supplies of stores and food were also demanded, +sometimes in addition to money and sometimes as a substitute. + +These amounts, large as they are, would not seem sufficient to carry on +the war for any great length of time. Some calculations were made by +Paris Correspondents of the _Daily Telegraph_ at the outbreak of the +campaign. The minimum cost was estimated there at £400,000,000. + +The figures given by military writers coincided and agreed that about +8,500,000 men were under arms for land warfare. To these must be added +340,000 seamen. If the Balkan War were taken as an example, the cost of +each man mobilised amounts to 10s. a day. This gives about £4,400,000 +daily, or £132,000,000 monthly. + +This figure is, however, considerably short of the mark, because it +does not take into account the maintenance of the armies and fleets. + +The German Reichstag authorised extraordinary expenditure to the +extent of £250,000,000 to be obtained by a loan, and a further sum of +£14,000,000 to be drawn on the gold and silver reserve of the Empire. + +It is now well known that the tax of 5 per cent. on the stock of notes +issued by the Reichsbank over and above its reserve in metal has been +suppressed. The German Government will therefore secure the loan +required by an issue of bank notes uncovered by a reserve of gold and +silver. + +This issue reminds one of the assignats of the first French Revolution, +of which a few samples are kept as curious heirlooms in French +families. + +It was stated in Paris that the Austrian army on a war footing cost +the Empire £800,000 a day, but the Austrian Treasury was emptied by +the mobilisation during the Balkan wars, which drained the financial +resources of the Empire for more than a year, and it is hard to see +where the Austrian Monarchy can find the large sums required to keep +the Imperial and Royal armies and navy during the present war. + +There were many reasons that might be brought forward to show how Mr. +Lloyd George was justified in asserting that England could stand the +financial strain better than Germany. One great factor was responsible +for this, namely, the command of the sea. It is true that during the +war our trade with Germany, Russia, and France must be practically at a +standstill. There are even pessimists who say that our general European +trade must be severely crippled until the campaign is over. Even if we +assume this to be the case, however, there is, relatively speaking, +no cause for despondency. Our exports last year were valued at over +£525,000,000. If most of these exports had been sent to European +countries, there might possibly be some ground for concern. Of the huge +total, however, the countries with which we are at war, Germany and +Austria, took exports from us to the value of only £45,000,000; and +our exports to every European country, including Germany and Austria, +amounted to less than £180,000,000. + +Expressed in other words, this means that roughly speaking, one-third +of our exports went to European countries, and two-thirds to countries +in other parts of the world. We have thus about two-thirds of our +ordinary export trade to come and go on--thanks to our command of the +sea--and, thanks to our command of the sea also, the oversea commerce +of Germany and Austria has for the time being completely broken down. +In view of this fact, the significance of which has hardly yet been +generally appreciated, it is possible for us at the present time +to capture, if not all, at least a large proportion of orders from +oversea countries which in the ordinary way would be given to German +or Austrian firms. It would be foolish to say, of course, that our +economic life can proceed as usual during a European war in which we +are involved; but it cannot be too emphatically pointed out that our +economical conditions here are, or can at least be made, infinitely +superior to those prevailing in the countries with which we are at war, +or even in Russia or France. German commerce is ruined; our commerce +can be made almost normal. + +Take another point. We have a very large income from our investments +abroad, which are valued at rather more than £4,000,000,000. It is +estimated that our yearly income from this source is £200,000,000, +and, in addition, for services rendered internationally, our bankers, +brokers, shipping firms, and so on, receive an additional sum of +£150,000,000. That is to say, in exchange not for goods but for +services, we receive from various nations about £350,000,000 every +year. True, a large proportion of this sum is derived from investments +in countries affected by the war; and, on account of the war, many +of these normal returns have fallen off. It must nevertheless be +remembered that much of this large income comes to us from countries +which are only slightly, if at all, affected by the dislocation--from +India, for instance; Spain, the United States, all our own oversea +dominions, and South America. Our interests in Central and South +America alone are valued at £1,300,000,000. + +There are other points to be remembered in connection with our position +as traders. At least ten million men in France, Russia, and Germany +have now been withdrawn from industry and are engaged in war. The +effect of this on the remainder of the adult population and on normal +production is naturally very considerable. In this country we have not +as yet found it necessary to withdraw such large numbers of men from +their ordinary work. Practically half a million men have joined the +second army, and another half-million are asked for. The withdrawal +of a million men from our industries is not likely to be seriously +felt, especially as many thousands of these men will be taken from +non-productive occupations. There is, therefore, no reason why we +should not continue our normal export trade as well as--though of +course to a smaller extent--our carrying trade. + +And now for a glance at Germany's exports. In 1912 they amounted +to £440,000,000, and of this figure £106,000,000 represented raw +material, and no less than £295,000,000 manufactured articles. Such +things as clocks, toys, musical instruments, paints, paper, glassware, +iron and steel goods, gloves, hardware, and cutlery were poured into +every country in the world. We ourselves took £70,000,000 worth of +this stuff; India £6,000,000 worth; Australia £7,000,000; and Canada +and South Africa about £3,000,000 worth each. To Argentina, in 1912, +went German goods valued at nearly £13,000,000, and to the United +States manufactured articles worth nearly £12,000,000. These are a +few instances; the consular reports and Board of Trade statistics +will furnish several others. A determined attempt must now be made to +secure this trade. We shall, of course, have to compete with the United +States, where for two or three years past eager attention has been paid +to the possibilities of developing the South American market. + +Germany, it must be remembered, did not enter upon this campaign +without taking into consideration her own economic position, and +especially her food supplies. Whether she was able to carry out the +plans she knew she ought to carry out is another matter. The advanced +state of her mobilisation at the time she declared war on Russia and +France made it quite clear that her decision to put her fortunes to the +test of the sword had not been taken in a day. Not even the perfect +Prussian military machine could have thrown so many troops against the +frontiers of France and Belgium at short notice, and it is certain +that the Berlin Government, in addition to giving its attention to the +organisation of the fighting forces, must have seriously considered the +question of the nation's food supply. Yet the circumstantial reports +which have filtered through relating to "food riots" in the capital and +other large towns indicate that this important matter--perhaps because +it is civil rather than military--has not had the consideration to +which it is entitled. + +Germany is, indeed, in an unfortunate position if her food supply is +running short at this early stage of the campaign. So seldom in the +history of our own country have our trade routes been blocked for even +a short time that it is not easy for us to realise the situation of a +country which is dependent for a large proportion of its daily bread +upon foreign countries and happens to be cut off from communication +with them. + +The latest figures show that Germany imported agricultural products +and foodstuffs in 1913 to the value of £351,836,900. These figures +show but a slight deviation from those of 1912 and 1911, a deviation +which changes in the population easily explain. Even when we make every +allowance for wines and various luxuries which are classified under +this heading, we shall be on the safe side in saying that Germany +must import necessary foodstuffs every year to the value of not less +than £180,000,000. This is a huge total, and it is accounted for by +the fact, which has caused some concern already to German statesmen, +that from an almost purely agricultural country Germany has, since the +Franco-German War, developed at a remarkable rate into an industrial +country. The producer has left the farm for the factory, and though one +result has been a vast increase in the wealth of the German Empire, +another has been to leave the Empire more and more dependent upon +foreign countries for its supplies of the necessaries of life. + +Germany obtains a great deal of her meat, wheat, eggs, barley, coffee, +maize, butter, etc., from beyond her borders. In 1913, for example, +Russia sent her grain and cereals to the extent of 3,600,000 tons, +valued approximately at £30,000,000. In 1912 Argentina exported to her +grain and livestock products worth nearly £11,000,000. From Hungary +she received last year cereals valued at £4,000,000; and even little +Roumania contributed £1,000,000 worth of wheat to the total. + + * * * * * + +The following short table, giving the import figures for 1911 and 1913, +will show to what extent Germany is indebted to foreign countries for +some common grain and cereal products: + + ---------------+-------------+------------- + | 1911. | 1913. + ---------------+-------------+------------- + | + |(£ sterling.)|(£ sterling.) + Wheat | 19,943,750| 21,472,850 + Barley | 23,105,250| 20,347,750 + Maize | 4,336,000| 5,309,600 + Rye | 3,800,600| 4,100,200 + Oats | 3,742,800| 3,946,300 + Rice | 4,408,200| 3,926,000 + Cocoa | 2,775,300| 2,796,000 + Coffee | 12,578,450| 12,450,500 + Eggs | 8,567,900| 4,504,800 + ---------------+-------------+------------- + +With her coast blockaded by the British Fleet; France, Belgium, and +Russia hostile; and squadrons of the Navy alert for prizes in the +Mediterranean and the Atlantic, it is not likely that Germany can rely +upon any imports of food until the war is over. Austria-Hungary, at +grips with Servia, will require for her own use all the food she can +get, even if the Straits of Otranto were open. The hostility of Servia +prevents any possibility of food being imported via Greece. + +On this point a remarkable article, obviously inspired, and showing +clearly enough why the Teutonic Powers were paying so much attention +to the Balkans, appeared in the _Frankfurter Zeitung_ so far back as +January 7th, 1914. The writer said: + +The countries comprising the Triple Alliance are changing daily from +agricultural States to industrial States; and they are more and more +compelled to depend upon the uninterrupted importation of their raw +materials. A war with England, France, and Russia at the same time +appears, fortunately, to be ever more improbable; but the possibility +of such a conflict cannot be excluded, and far-seeing statesmen must +reckon with it. The Triple Alliance countries, which are compelled to +have recourse to large armies, cannot hope to compete successfully +with the fleets of England and France on the high seas. In the event +of a struggle, therefore, our oversea imports would, in a short time, +be done away with, and our industries would languish for want of raw +material. As things stand to-day, it is not merely the lack of wheat +and meat that would drive the country to destruction. Coal and iron and +heaven knows what else have also become essential to us. Where, then, +shall the Triple Alliance countries look for their raw material if the +sea routes are cut off? There is only one means of land communication, +and it leads through Roumania, Bulgaria, and Turkey into Asia Minor. +It follows that the Triple Alliance can never see this route barricaded +by hostile States; the Triplice must keep this route open at all +costs.... The German military mission in Constantinople is not merely +helping to reorganise the Turkish army out of pure joy; it must, at the +same time, serve both Turkey and the German Empire. One should also +take notice of the determination of Germany and Austria not to consent +to the proposal for the inter-nationalisation of the stretch of the +Orient Railway between Adrianople and Constantinople. The States lying +between the eastern border of Hungary and Asia Minor have, indeed, no +choice; they must be the friends and allies of the Triple Alliance; or +they must reckon with the unflinching hostility of the Triple Alliance +in any conflict which threatens their independence. Austria, too, +has no choice. Either the countries on the Lower Danube must be her +friends, or she must seek to annihilate them. It is as Napoleon said: +"the Power that commands Constantinople can command the whole world, +provided that it can maintain itself there." And when Bismarck said +that the whole Balkan Peninsula was not worth the bones of a Pomeranian +grenadier, he could not have foreseen that this territory would one +day become so essential a route for German imports that we should not, +if necessary, shirk a conflict with Russia to maintain our freedom of +trade there. + + * * * * * + +Servia, in this astonishing declaration, was not mentioned by name; +but the hint to both her and Russia was sufficiently broad. Germany +and Austria are cut off completely by the hostility of Servia; and, +if Russia had not intervened, it is clear that this "means of land +communication" would have been kept free from a "barricade," if any +Power had thought of putting one up. In this connection it may be +recalled that the White Paper relating to the European Crisis (Cd. +7,467) contains a significant telegram from Mr. H.D. Beaumont, of the +International Financial Commission, to Sir Edward Grey: + + Constantinople, + _July 29th, 1914._ + +I understand that the designs of Austria may extend considerably +beyond the Sanjak and a punitive occupation of Servian territory. I +gathered this from a remark let fall by the Austrian Ambassador here, +who spoke of the deplorable economic situation of Salonika under Greek +administration, and of the assistance on which the Austrian army could +count from Mussulman population discontented with Servian rule. + +The reference in the telegram was, of course, to the Bagdad concession; +for Germany expected to be able to develop Asia Minor with the object +of making it a country capable of furnishing the large proportion of +foodstuffs and raw material which now enter Germany, from Russia, +Argentina, Canada, France, and Great Britain. All the treaties +and conventions relating to the concession specify this almost in +so many words. Hence the desperate anxiety of Germany and Austria +to secure Salonika as a port and to bring the Balkan States under +Teutonic influence; since a single unfriendly nation--Servia, for +instance--would have been an effective "barricade." The plan has failed +and the failure has trebled the price of food in Austria and doubled it +in Germany. Neither Government reckoned with a stern resistance; and +the failure to do so has already led both countries well on the way to +starvation. + +Two instance of the bitterness with which the campaign was waged on +both sides may be mentioned as a fitting conclusion to this volume. +While the war was responsible for a good deal, one would hardly have +expected it to affect the text of a Wagnerian music-drama. Yet the +_Vossische Zeitung_ gravely stated that "having regard to the fact that +our ally, Austria-Hungary, and especially Hungary, is fighting so +bravely by our side, Wagner's text to 'Lohengrin' was slightly altered +at the opening performance in the Royal Opera House." In Wagner's own +version Henry the Fowler sings, "Herr Gott, bewahr uns vor dem Ungarn +Wut" ("Lord God, protect us from Hungaria's rage"). Knüpfer, who +undertook the rôle, deleted the word "Ungarn" and substituted "Feinde" +("enemy")! The alteration is said to have been wildly applauded. + +To balance this there is a Russian step to be referred to. On September +2nd the _Telegraph's_ correspondent in the Russian capital announced +that St. Petersburg was no more. An Imperial decree made it known that +in future the Russian capital was to be called Petrograd. The change +was in the air for some time. The German-sounding name of the city had +long been a strange anomaly, and with the outbreak of war there was a +widespread demand that it should be altered. + +Among the Slav alternatives proposed were Petrogorod, Petrovsk, +Petroff, and Sviato Petrovsk. The appellation actually selected is by +no means novel in its use. There was a time when old-fashioned people +pretty generally spoke of Petrograd, and not of Petersburg. The name +now officially adopted for the capital is also applied to it in the +works of Pushkin, Lermontoff, Alexei, Tolstoi, and Nekrasoff. + +Dr. Dillon, commenting on the telegram, added: + +What's in a name? The Russians hold that there is a good deal in it, +else they would not have chosen the present moment to reconsider a +proposal made many times during the past thirty-five years to change +that of their capital on the Neva. The city heretofore known as +St. Petersburg is in future to be called Petrograd. This apparent +innovation is in reality a return to the old name which Peter the +Great's second capital had borne from the beginning. All the old +books published in that city during the latter part of Peter's reign +and those of his immediate successors bear the word Petrograd on the +title-pages. Grad and Gorod are two forms of the same word which means +city or town. Etymologically it connotes an enclosed space, and belongs +to the same root as the English word garden. It occurs in hundreds +of Slav geographical names, as, for instance, in Novgorod--"new +town"--Ivangorod, Elizabetgrad, Euxinograd. Constantinople itself is +often called in Russian the "Emperor's city," Tsaregrad. + +During the reigns of the Empresses Catherine, Anna, and Elizabeth the +mania for adopting foreign names was rife in Russia, and on many +places known in old Russian history German names were bestowed, most of +which remain to this day. + +After the Treaty of Berlin, when Count Ignatieff, who had been Russia's +Ambassador in Constantinople, became at first Minister of the Interior +and then President of the Slavonic Society, he, Komaroff, and a number +of other Slavophiles inaugurated a movement in favour of altering those +German names to their Russian equivalents, or to the original Slav +appellations wherever there were any such. Before making the suggestion +public Count Ignatieff asked me to draw up a list of those towns and +cities, and to open a Press campaign in favour of the movement in +the columns of the Press organ of the Imperial Russian Academy, the +_Peterburgskya Vedomosti_, on the staff of which I was then a leader +writer. I did so. But this attempt to Russify geographical names met +with little support and encountered fierce opposition. The comic papers +in particular made fun of it, and asked whether we would not include +Oranienbaum--a summer residence near St. Petersburg--in our list, and +call it Apelsinsk, or, say, in English "Orange-insk," and a number +of other absurd translations were suggested for the benefit of the +Slavophile reformers. + +But the campaign was not wholly unsuccessful. The Emperor Alexander +III., when he heard of it, is said to have remarked: "There is no need +of going to extremes. But the cities which played a part in Russian +history and had purely Russian names ought to have those names restored +to them. And in this list we should include the university city of +Dorpat and the city of Dunaburg. Henceforth they shall be known as +Yurevo and Dvinsk." Among Russian Germans there was a great outcry +at this "profanation," and most German prints and books--even those +published in the Russian Empire--continued to refer to those towns +as Dorpat and Dunaburg. But to-day they are known only as Yurevo and +Dvinsk. + +And now St. Petersburg has been added to the list. + +In time, no doubt, Peterhof, Oranienbaum, Yekaterinburg, Orenburg, and +a host of other places will also be rechristened, and Count Ignatieff's +proposal will be fully carried out. + + +_Wyman & Sons Ltd., Printers, London and Reading._ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of How The Nations Waged War, by +John McFarland Kennedy + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 56360 *** |