m mankind, are
as yet not fully alive to the immensity and necessity of our task. We
must awaken, or be awakened, ere it be too late.

Germany is living in the present and in the future. It is a present of
determined effort, of unlimited sacrifice, of colossal hope. The
future for which she strives and suffers is a future incompatible
with those ideals which our race cherishes and reveres. Either our
philosophy, our religion and code prevail, or they fade into decay,
and Germany's aims remain. The choice is definite.

There can be no parley, no compromise with the evil thing for which
Germany fights. There is not room for both. One must go down.

We must win outright. And we can and shall win--if we bend every
thought, our whole will, our every energy, our utmost intensity of
determination to the great work. Failing this, we shall secure only a
victory equivalent to defeat. We chose the part of free men, and, when
purified by complete self-sacrifice, shall emerge from the ordeal a
great and regenerated people.

W. M. HUGHES.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

INTRODUCTION BY THE HON. W. M. HUGHES vii

I THE CHARACTER OF GERMANY 1

II THE GERMAN SYSTEM OF PREPARATION 7

III GERMANY AND ITALIAN FINANCE 27

IV THE ANNEXATION MANIA 37

V GERMANY AND RUSSIA 53

VI THE STATESMANSHIP OF THE ENTENTE 81

VII TEUTON POLITICS 88

VIII A MACHIAVELLIAN TRICK BY WHICH RUSSIA'S
HAND WAS FORCED 99

IX GERMAN PROPAGANDA IN SCANDINAVIA 108

X GERMANY AND THE BALKANS 116

XI THE RIVAL POLICIES 136

XII PROBLEMS OF LEADERSHIP 146

XIII PROBLEMS OF FINANCE 161

XIV READJUSTMENTS 175

XV THE POSITION OF ITALY 192

XVI ROUMANIA AND GREECE 214

XVII GERMANY'S RESOURCEFULNESS 227

XVIII THE PERILS OF PARTY POLITICS