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296
THE TRAGIC WEEK [chap. xvii.
conversation with Russia were apparent in Vienna,
William II. and his advisers decided to precipitate
matters and, without waiting for the second phase, which
might miscarry, hurled their ultimatum and their
declaration of war at Russia, under pretext of the Russian
mobilisation.
But this plan was not revealed in all its cynical
crudeness till later on. At the moment one could still
hope against hope and attempt possible solutions. That
is what would have been done in our country if Berlin
had allowed us a few days’ respite.
In all my previous career I had never contemplated
with equanimity the possibility of an armed collision
between Germany and Russia. I had never been an
enemy of the Germans on principle; I recognised the
good and respectable sides of their national character
as these sides had been revealed to me through the
study of German history and literature, and through
frequenting a certain German sympathetic set. On the
other hand, I was perfectly aware of the failings of our
neighbours, of their pride which had blossomed
spontaneously and inordinately, of their intentional
brutality; and I could ill bear the contempt and hatred
which every one in Germany paraded for all the Slav
races outside Russia. I knew that the Germans had
latterly been poisoned by the writings and opinions of
a whole school of Pan-German philosophers, historians,
and men of letters; but I had not realised the virulence
of this poison, which had gradually paralysed most of
the good qualities of the German nature.
I knew that Germany was very strong, and my
country undermined by internal trouble; I had no
confidence in our economic, political and military
organisation, no confidence in our Staff, very little
even in our soldiers; the recent Japanese war with its
sad pages had not vanished from my memory as it had
vanished from that of most of my compatriots. I had a
high opinion of French courage and genius; but I knew
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