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VII.
In the year 1887, the hostility in Russia towards the
German Empire reached its height. They had the feeling
that the future conflict was not very distant, and the
foreigner frequently heard expressions about the
impending European war. As a rule, these expressions
were desponding. There is nowhere such a lively
perception of the very great weakness of Russia as in
Russia itself. But what without qualification was
significant for Russia was the almost universal wish for
defeat. The foreigner heard this not only in Northern
but in Southern Russia, and it made no difference
whether the speakers were Russians from the east or
the west, provided only they were able men who loved
freedom. I have certainly heard the wish expressed, as
if by common consent, by more than fifty Russians, of
the most varied classes of society, and entirely
unacquainted with each other, that there should be a decisive
defeat in an ensuing war. We can scarcely imagine a
more instructive symptom than what I have here stated
of the deep despair which exists as to the present
condition of the country. No other possibility of liberation
from the predominant misery presents itself than that
which is offered in the weakness which an unsuccessful
war will entail on the ruling system.
It is not the first time that this sentiment has flourished
in Russia, and that wishes apparently so unpatriotic
have been cherished by men who have the greatest love
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