The Monticellonian., 1915-07-01

unattached to any foreign mission was living here. and it was my custom to dine every Sunday at the English embassy To this circumstance is owing the salvation Of Europe from the most desolating war in history.
 On certain Sunday about the time l have indicated, was dining at the embassy as usual. During the meal l observed that my host was very dis traeted; and, as soon as it was over. he rose up and, taking me by the arm, 1 led me into his private study. l at once guessed what was coming, and, while accepting cigar. determined that nothing should be extracted from me respecting the negotiation 1 have described, and Of which NJ. Fleuriet had kept me partly informed
 My dear baron, he commenced you and 1 are old friends We should both be equally distressed if war were to break out between our two coun- tfies'
 Without doubt. replied. affecting to consider the remark mere chance observation. Let us be thankful that such an event is not in the least likely to take place. And added to myself. Unless you refuse to give up Egypt.
 He glanced at me with suspicion.
 :" How far you are in the confidence Of your foreign oftice, he said, I nei. ther know, nor do 1 ask you to tell me. desire to give you information, not to receive it..
 You are too good I marmured. more on my guard than eyer
 "'I hope, at the same time. he went on, that what l have to say to you may cause you to take action in what l believe to be the interest of both countries. l am sure that if you use this information you will not allow it's source to be discovered.
 That is understood, Of eeurse.' replied, beginning to be really inter- ested.
 Thank you. Let me say at once, then, that 1 have reason to believe that your government has recently proposed to the court of Berlin an of fensiye alliance against England. with view to compelling us to eyacuate Egypt in your favor.
 T was thunderstruck at the accu- raey of his information.
 But, my lord. this is some chimera delusion.s l cried. affecting the utmost incrednlity Such an idea is too ex. traxagant for feuilletoni
 Lord Soames smiled coldly.
 I have already said that do not ask you to commit yourself. my dear baron, he replied T will assume. if you prefer it. that all this is news to you. But you have not yet heard what l wanted to tell you As you know. Great Britain has hitherto steadfastly refused to join the triple alliance for fear of being dragged by Germany into war against France. It is to your interest, I think you will admit, that We should continue to hold aloof.
 T shrugged my shoulders without expressing any opinion on this point
 Now, pursued Lord Soames, we suddenly find ourselves placed in this dilemma. Prince Bismarck has in- formed our ambassador in Berlin that he will accept your proposal unless England aceedes to the triple alliance within a week from today, and un- dertakes to employ her navy in a blockade of the French coast as soon as war is declared
 T was overwhelmed. The revela- ton of this atreeious duplieity on the part of Bismarck completely stunned me. Knowing what I did of his char acter. it was impossible to doubt the truth Of Lord Soames, disclosure. It was evident that the whole of the negotiations with our foreign office had been a deliberate ruse in order to obtain the means of diserediting us in the eyes of Great Britain. It was the Belgian trick of 1870 over again!
 T could have wept It was with the utmost difficulty that I concealed my eonsternation from the keen eyes of the Englishman.
 You have been deceived. my friend l answered. in a tone of great confidence. That Bismarck should make such assertions does not sur prise me in the least But it is mere invention of his own, believe me. If such a thing had been on the carpet. l am the first person with whom NJ. Fleuriot would have communicated
 Lord Soames listened to me with an air of indulgence. as if I had been child
 Again permit ne to remind you that am simply giving you a warning for your own benefit, he said I have only to add that the prince has prom. ised to show our ambassador the writ ten French proposal. signed by NJ. Fleuriot, next Saturday Unless you can reclaim that document by then, England will join the alliance. and war Will be declared within a fortnight.
 It was useless for me to make fur. ther protests. They were wasted on this man of ice.
 am obliged to you for your friendiness.' said. rising. No doubt the whese story is some clumsy fabri cation of Prince von Bismarcks which t VIII be easy to disprove. If should chance 10 meet NJ Fleuriot, however will inform him of these islanders
 Nc returned to the drawing-room and ] chatted with Lady Soames for twenty minutes, in order to show that my mind was at ease. I then an noHneed that I had a headache and 1 took my leave.
 T refused to allow the servants ot the embassy to cell me a cab. Iest they should oYerhear my destination