But I would ask, how are we to reconcile the hostile attitude of
William II's delegates to the Russian proposals with his solemn
declaration that he was absolutely in agreement with his friend
Nicholas II? Why did the German Emperor first give his approval to De
Bloch's campaign in favour of disarmament and then make Von
Schwartzkopf publicly repudiate the most important arguments of that
writer's book? Was it that William II was in the first instance
seduced by the lamentable picture which De Bloch gives of France and
the organisation of her army, or (and this seems far more likely) did
he simply approve of the intrigue set on foot by the author of this
work on war, an intrigue which aimed at casting a shadow over the
patriotic hopes that France placed on the Russian alliance, by inciting
Nicholas II to call for a general disarmament?
It must be confessed that the Franco-Russian alliance struck a bitter
blow at the hopes of Polish patriots. The contempt and hostility
towards France which inspire M. de Bloch's book are proof sufficient of
the grudge its author bears us. It is perfectly evident that they must
have been delighted in Berlin at the chief object of his work. But
there were other objects in view.
For years William II has unceasingly laboured to persuade England that
she has every interest to join the Triple Alliance. His perseverance
in this direction is quite natural. But if Germany succeeded last year
in concluding an agreement with England on a few special questions, the
Hague Conference has proved that it does not involve an agreement in
matters of general policy.
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