WAR- CHRONICLE

A new impediment arose on account of the crisis m 1911.
The English nation woke up one morning, to discover the fact
that it had been on the brink of a European war. Forced by public
opinion the English statesmen wanted to approach Germany. After
long and great trouble, we succeeded in coming to an understanding
regarding some matters of economical interest, relating in the first
place to Africa and Asia minor, which were intended to diminish
the political places of friction, if the free development of our
strength were not impeded. The world is wide, and has space
enough for both nations to develope alongside. (Cheers.) Not to be
prevented and hemmed in, in this free development, (Cheers) has
been the principle that our policy has always upheld. But, Gentlemen,
while we were carrying on negotiations, England was incessantly
preparing to strengthen her relations with France and Russia. The
decisive factor was, that outside the political sphere, a Military
Convention had been agreed upon, in the case eventually of a
European war. England carried on these negotiations as secretly
as possible. When anything regarding these trickled through to
the public—it happened several times—then the English government
did its utmost, to treat matters in Parliament as well as in the
Press as being perfectly harmless.
These English conventions did not remain hidden from us.
The whole situation could be summed up as follows:—England
was willing to agree with us on certain points—the first and most
important principle of English policy, howewer, remained : Germany
was to be held in check as to the free development of its full
strength by the "Balance of Power. " That was the line of demarcation
of the friendly relations between England and Germany.
For this end the Triple Entente did its utmost. When the friends
demanded military assurances, the English statesmen were ready
to give them at once. Thus the ring was closed, England in the
train of France and Russia,. If the chauvinistic clique in France
and Russia, whose strongest support was founded on the English
connivance wanted to start war, then England was morally bound
to follow.
Gentlemen—when I learned of the proposed maritime agreement
between England and Russia at the beginning of July this year, I
clearly let all this be understood, through our Ambassador, and pointed
out the danger it would involve for a European war. Hardly a fortnight
later it all came to pass just as I had predicted.
We have drawn conclusions from this whole situation. In
quick successions I have brought before you the greatest armament
bills known in German history—while fully aware of the dangers
which surround us, you have passed them and granted the "Vaterland"
what was necessary for its defence. War now having broken
out, England joined its allies—and loudly and openly proclaims she
will fight till Germany is crushed, in an economical as well as
military sense. Pan-Slavic arrogance calls forth exultant applause !
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