The Springdale news., 1915-06-25

embassy as usual During the meal observed that my host was very dis tracted; and. as soon as it was over, he rose up and, taking me by the arm, led me into his private study. 1 at once guessed what was coming, and, | while accepting cigar, determined that nothing should be extracted from me respecting the negotiation l have described, and of which NJ. Fleuriot had kept me partly informed.
 My dear baron,' he commenced, l you and 1 are old friends. We should both be equally distressed if war were to break out between our two coun- tries
 Without doubt replied, affecting to consider the remark a mere chance observation. Let us be thankful that such an event is not in the least likely l to take place. And l 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 office, he said, I nei- ther know, nor do I ask you to tell me. l desire to give you information, not to receive it.
 You are too good I murmured, more on my guard than ever. l T hope, at the same time,' he went on, that what 1 have to say to you may cause you to take action in what believe to be the interest of both countries. I am sure that if you use I inf lion vo,, will allow 1 it's source to be discovered.
 "'That is understood. of eourse.' replied, beginning to be really inter- ested.
 Thank you. Let me say at once, then, that I have reason to believe that your government has recently | proposed to the court of Berlin an of fensive alliance against England. with a view to compelling us to evaeuate Egypt in your favor
 T was thunderstruck at the accu- racy of his information.
 But. my lord, this is some chimera, delusioni' I cried, affecting the utmost ineredu1ity. Such an idea is too ex travagant for feuilleten.'
 Lord Soames smiled coldly.
 T have already said that do not ask you to commit yourself, my dear 1 baron,' he replied. I will assume, if you prefer 1t. that all this is news to you. But you have not yet heard what 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 a war against France. 1t is to your interest, l 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 l England :ccedes to the triple alliance within a week from today, and un- dertakes to employ her navy in blockade of the French coast as soon as war is declared
 T was overwhelmed. The revela- tion of this atroeious duplicity on the part of Bismarck completely stunned me. Knowing what did of his char aeter, it was impossible to doubt the truth of Lord Soames' disclosure. It was evident that the whole of the negotiations with our foreign office l had been deliberate ruse in order to i obtain the means of discredting 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 eensternation 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 1 prise me in the least. But it is a mere i invention of his own. believe me If such thing had been on the carpet, l l am the first person with whom NJ. F4euriot would have communicated. 1 Lord Soames listened to me with an ail of indulgence, as if I had been child
 Again permit me to remind you that am simply giving you 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 t4euriot, next Saturday. Unless you can reclaim that document by then, England will join the alliance, and war will be declared within fortnight.
 Tt was useless for me to make fur ther protests. They were wasted on this man of ice.
 am obliged to you for your friendliness,' said, rising. No doubt the whole story is some clumsy fabri- cation of Prince von Bismarcks, which 1t will be easy to disprove If should chance to meet NJ. Fleuriot, however will inform him of these islanders.
 We returned to the drawing-room and 1 ehatted with Lady Soames for