By way of a first attempt at abolishing the horrors of war by means of international agreements, the Hague Conference has given very satisfactory results, and the honour for these is due to M. de Staal, Count Mouravieff and M. de Martens.  The Tzar has reason to be equally satisfied in that he has compelled his very good friend William II to throw off his mask and to reveal all his hostility towards Russia.

It is now for those who had pledged themselves to guarantee the unconditional support of Germany for the Tzar, to bear the load of responsibility which is properly theirs for having unworthily deceived their Sovereign.  Many other hopes, bearing on internal affairs in Russia, had been created by the authors of the intrigue which I have endeavoured to expose.  We know how deeply rooted is the religious and pacific character of the Russian masses.  No initiative could stir their hearts so profoundly as that which seeks to lessen the horrors of war and to relieve the people of the crushing burden of armaments.  One has only to remember the sects which exist in Russia which are opposed to military service and duties.  Such an initiative coming from their adored Tzar was bound to produce far-reaching results.

After our experiences of 1868 and 1869—­and even 1870—­how can we be guilty of running the same risks again?  Was not William I, King of Prussia, amiable enough?  Did he not do everything to lull the suspicions of Napoleon whilst he himself was arming to the teeth?  We all allowed ourselves to be sufficiently fooled by Bismarck’s agents and spies in 1870 to be able to recognise the secret agents of William II to-day.

It is not only a shameful thing, that the Iphigenie should have hoisted at her mainmasthead the Imperial flag, bearing the insulting device of 1870, it is also an encouragement to William II in the treachery which he is plotting against us.  One’s heart is heavy with the grief of hopelessness when one thinks of our easy-going short memories, and the suffering courage of the people of Alsace-Lorraine.  During the past few days, whilst our Parisian newspapers have been discussing the probability of the obnoxious presence of the Kaiser in Paris for the Exhibition, the Strasburger Post has been heaping bitter reproaches on the inhabitants of Alsace-Lorraine for their lack of enthusiasm and meagre contributions towards the proposed statue in honour of the late Emperor William.  In spite of all the pressure applied, the subscriptions have hardly produced a few hundred marks.  The German Press describes the Alsatians as ungrateful and short-sighted.

August 9, 1899. [8]