r themselves every possible advantage, including as not
the least of these advantages that of having public opinion on their
side. It is equally understandable that Governments, for political or
military reasons, often endeavor to conceal their real intentions until
the decisive moment. In this matter, however, as in the conduct of war
itself, there exists the basic principle, acknowledged throughout the
civilized world, that no methods may be employed which could not be
employed by men of honor even when they are opponents. One cannot,
unfortunately, acquit Russia of the charge of employing improper
policies against Germany. It must, unfortunately, be said that even the
Czar himself did not, at the breaking out of hostilities against
Germany, show himself the gentleman upon a throne which he had formerly
been believed by every one to be.

The Russian Emperor addressed himself to Kaiser William in moving and
friendly expressions, in which, pledging his solemn word and appealing
to the grace of God, he besought the Kaiser, shortly before the outbreak
of the war, to intervene at Vienna. There exists between Austria-Hungary
and Germany an ancient and firm alliance, which makes it the duty of
both Governments to afford unconditional support to each other in the
moment that either one's vital interests come into question. There can
be no doubt that the existence of Austria-Hungary is threatened by the
Servian agitation. Despite this, the German Emperor, in offering his
final counsels respecting the treatment of Servia and the concessions to
be made to Russia, went, in his desire for peace, almost to the point
where Austria could have had doubts of Germany's fidelity to the
obligations of the alliance. Nevertheless, Russia at this very time not
only continued its mobilization against Austria, but also simultaneously
brought its troops into a state of preparedness for war against Germany.
It is impossible that this could have been done without the order of the
Czar. The conduct of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the
Chief of the General Staff and of the War Minister was of a piece with
this attitude of the ruler. They assured the German Ambassador and the
German Military Attache upon their word of honor that troops were not
being mobilized against Germany and that no attack upon Germany was
planned. The facts, however, have proved that the decision to make war
upon Germany had already been reached at that time.

T