Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-12-24


faction Of his calling consists, think
he would answer that 1t is in dissect
ing and unraveling the mixed motives
that animate the actions OF that
strange animal-man.
At least, that was the fascination OF
the diplomatic life to me. during my
years of service.
And when, through an indiscretion,
a combination Of events which over
came my prudence, / was unable to
serve his majesty longer in an &C
credited post. found the old oppor-
tunity for psychological observation In
no way diminished. As an ambassa-
dor-atlarge, with less responsibility
and more freedom, engaged upon a
task that carried me from capital to
capital, 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 q movement having for its
immediate purpose the autonomy Of
Ireland, and for its ultimate the almost
avowed object Of Irish independence,
10 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, banqueted, feted, in firm al.
lance with 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
lreland's destinies with highlands ire
vocably.
Although in the early months Of
1914 the usual peace talk was unusual
ly to the fore, it was no secret among
the well informed that Germany was
planning gigantic coup, having for
it's 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 It could best carry out its
schemes for the financial domination
OF the world.
Secondly, II had always been an
axiom among Germanys rulers that
war alone could consolidate her posi-.
ton. The philosophy Of her Treitsch-
kea, Bernhardis and Tirpitzes was the
antichristian PRONUNCIATION of Meta
sche. that might was right, and ''Vae
Yictis.a
= Thirdly, the upkeep of q 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 report read
In the French senate had demonstrate
ed Frances unreadiness for war. Add
that the Kiel canal had just been
deepened 20 accommodate the largest
dreadnaughts, and that for Germany
It was 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
hopslessly crippled.
And that ID 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
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.
platz. all eyes were turned upon vi.
ster. The importance which the Irish
difficulties assumed In the eyes of con.
tinental statesmen may be gauged
from the fact that the day when an
Irish settlement was officially an.
nounced to be mpossible-JuIy "a
was the day when Austria launched
her prep0sterous ultimatum against
Serbia.
Il viii be remembered that the con.
ference which his majesty called at
Buckingham palace. in a last despe.
rate attempt to avert civil war in ire.
land. lasted two days. On the second
day. while London was flied with va.
rying rumors. was seated In the club
smoking room. listening to the ami.
mated conversation OF a number of
the diplomatic and military officers
who frequented Il.
Old General Burbidge. red of face.
was inyeighing against John Redmond
from the depths Of his morOcco-cov
cred chair.
THAT fellow be said causticaIly.
is planning the ruin of the British EN-
pire. What are we thinking of, to