Tombstone epitaph., 1915-10-24
tcopyrisht HIS. by W. c. chapm.n)
Ambassador


through Belgium It seems impos- sihie that the kaiser can have con. sidered the strstegicai advantage of an advance through the north more than . compensation for the locking up of his fleets in Kiel and wilhelms- haven. It has been said he did not believe England would fight. l am in . position to clarify the mystery, al. though not to acquit the kaiser of rashness In his decision.
 Austria had launched her ultimatum against Servia, designed to provoke var. Russia had informed Count Pourtales. the German minister at St. Petersburg. that she would not demo- eiiize. Germany had declared war on Russia, and fighting was already in progress on the French frontier.
 Meanwhile England sat on the fence How bitterly the liberal cabi- net was divided is now beginning to become known. Germany's troops were mobilizing on the Belgian bor- der. Would they violate Belgian in tegrity?
 My mission had been to discover the secret, forces which were making for war. had discovered them, had in- formed Sir Edward Grey. the foreign minister. Of the forces at work and of the impossibility of peace. l did not expect to be called on further. On the morning of August 1. however. on the eve of hostilities between Russia and Germany. was unexpectedly summoned to the foreign oflce to meet Sir Edward Grey in person.
 MT. X-," he began as soon as the door vas closed, you are bet ter aware than any man. except Sir Edward Goschen. at Berlin. and my self. of the exact situation"
 Yes" answered.
 T want you to undertake Q delicate mission which is to be the culmination Of your work, if you like to look on it in that way. Hitherto you have been working for the government-in this particular instance you will be aiding me, and. through me. our country"
 T must tell you. relying on your dis cretion," he continued. that the cabi- net is divided on the question of mak- ing . violation of Belgian territory a casus belli. If we can prevent such violation by giving the kaiser to un- derstand that it will provoke war-as I am sure 1t will--we can avoid war al- together, But ve must convince him that the pistol Is loaded.
 Nov. if our ambasss dor. Sir Ed ward Goschen. presents him with such an uitimatum. amour propre will com pei his rejection of 1t. On the other hand. it should be possible to convey the news to him unoficially. but none the less resolutely. Will you under take the taskr' i
 You mean. Sir Edward. that I am fo convey to his majesty. gently but firmly, the intfmation that if he in yades Belgium England will make war on hIm?.tI asked.
 "Yes," answered Sir Edward
 "But suppose the pistol isn't load <d." queried. Tn other words, what if he takes the risk and still England declines to enter into the Sar."
 5 Tn that case you will be dis Avoved." he answered frankly. Tt is en unpleasant task to ask you to per torm. But 1t is our only chance of avoiding . bitter struggle"
 ! T will execute the task" answered. . little stiniy. for I did not relish it. was, in fact. in the position of poker player with a bobtailed flush.
 'Thea yoa viii have to hasten" said Sir Edward. with . grim smile. Wait a moment Mr. x-.I have reserved the least palatable part of the under taking for the last. although it may lend the mission more interest in your eyes. .HaTlam is leaving on your train to tell the kaiser that he can make war on Belgium and England will not raise . finger"
 vhistled. I saw the situation at once. Hallam. the cabinet minister r 6a had frequently come out in plea for an Angio-German alliance. was the leader of the peace-atAny-price party. 1t had been proposed to nominate him for war minister. and rumor said that Earl Kitchener. who was on leave from Egypt in London. was to be packed back unceremoniously. that he might not become popular idol.
 had never met Hallam, but 1 xuev him by sight intimately. as who does not. A sexagenarian, with .mooth fscs, lowering eyebrows and bea3y sxvs. . nan wso moved in met .nhvricsI unses-he had translated Y.rf and pSIstxsche and was steeped in Cernsnic phiiosophy-he was by far the sblest man of the cabinet group.
 -so the antfwsr party have sent Mr HnIIan to Berlin to encourage the kaiserr' inquired.
 sir Edvard .podded. But they are .o;at Id Iose.- he raid. They haven't .,e.sursd she pspuiar clamor that will ~ri.e ae,inst them if they let Belgium
 . vtolsfed. And in such case Hailam -,u nave rlsdsed England falsely and ~s,.mirtsd gross breach of faith v@ zee! Yoa must anticipate him. 6