The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-12-09

faction of his calling consists. ! think
he would answer that 1t is in dissect-
ing and u~nraveling the mixed motives
that animate the actions OF that
strange animal-man.
At least, tnat was the fascination Of
the diplomatic life to me, during my
years of service.
And when, through an indiscretion,
O combination of events which over
came my prudence, 1 was unable to
serve his majesty longer In an &C
credited post. / found the old oppor-
tunity for psychological observation In
go way diminished. AS an ambassa-
dor-at-large, with less responsibility
and more freedom, engaged upon a
task that carried me from capital to
capital. l was able to study the minds
of many men who previously had
been unknown quantities to me.
Take, for example, the case Of John
Redmond. In many ways perhaps the
most unique figure In Europe.
Leader of a movement having for its
Immediate purpose the autonomy of
Ireland, and for its ultimate the almost
avowed object of Irish independence,
In any country but Great Britain he
would have been a plotter, an exile, a
fugitive. Yet here he was, Great Brit
aims chief antagonist, a man behind
whom were ranged the voices Of ten
million dissatisfied subjects Of the
crown, b~anqueted, feted, in firm al
lance with a great political party. and
holding the fate of England In the hol-
low Of his hand.
He could take up all the reins OF in
trigue that restrained the FESTIVE
horses OF the imperial charioteer: Ire
land, India, Egypt, Irish America. and,
greatest of all, Germany. A word from
him could encircle England with a
host of foes; a word, too, could link
Ireland's destinies with England's ire
vocably.
Although in the early months of
1914 the usual peace talk was unusual
ly to the fore, 1t was no secret among
,he we'll informed that Germany was
planning a gigantic coup. having for
its object her hegemony in Europe and
the destruction of the British empire.
Often enough had Germany been
nerved to the point of throwing down
the gage. but always prudence had
won against hate and envy. Now,
however, certain facts had to be taken
into consideration which were not
present at other crises.
In the first place, the recently
formed money trust, represented in
Austria by the Weisknopfs; and domi.
nant in other capitals, had come to
the conclusion that by q German vic
tory 1t could best carry out its
schemes for the financial domination
Of the world.
Secondly, II had always been an
axiom among Germany's rulers that
war alone could consolidate her posi-
ton. The philosophy Of her Treitsch-
kes. Bernhardis and Tirpitzes was the
antichristian PRONUNCIATION of Metz
sche, that might was right, and "vae
victis."
Thirdly. the upkeep of a gigantic
army and navy had become too great
TO be borne, and the cannonmakers de-
manded q fresh output that should
eclipse all their previous productions
and stimulate their business. So did
their shareholders, among whom were
men prominent In court circles.
Add the fact that Russia was reor-
ganizing her army, that a report read
In the French senate had demonstrate
pd Frances unreadiness for war. Add
that the Kiei canal had just been
deepened to accommodate the largest
dreadnaughts, and that for Germany
1t was a case Of now or never
But consider most of all that Ireland
was on the verge of civil war, and that
England. Germany's most formidable
antagonist, was believed thus to be
hopelessly crippled.
And that In why ! say that In John
Redmond's hands lay the destinies of
the British empire.
/ had fulfilled the first part of the
task assigned to me by the British for
eign minister, Sir Edward Grey. / had
discovered these secret springs Of war
and had warned the British govern.
ment Of what was in preparation. But
I had reason to believe that the gov
eminent. perplexed and distracted by
the Irish question. paid less respect to
my warning than was necessary.
Meanwhile, In Berlin, in the Ball.
pIats, all eyes were turned upon W.
star. The importance which the Irish
dificulties assumed In the eyes OF con
tinental statesmen may be gagged
from the fact that the day when an
Irish settlement was officially an
pounced to be impossible July a.
was the day whom Austria launched
her preposterous ultimatum against
Serbia
7 It win be remembered that the con-
,feysnce which his majesty called at
Bucklngham palace. IN . last despe-
xote attempt 70 avert civil War In Ire
land, lasted two days. On the second
~. willis Ixon6on WAS filed with w.
xying xumors, ! WAS seated In the club
rmokine room. listening to the ami.
mate1 coovor1ekien a Z number Of
No 0ip1cn4<ieF ND ntli<oxy uflceya
$500 frs6UsEts8 4.