While the war fury seethed through the nation the cry echoed on all sides:  “We want peace!  We have worked for a peaceful solution!” Yet a study of the workings of the national mind as revealed in the German Press, and of diplomatic doings as shown in the German White Book, affords not a single instance—­excepting the Socialists’ demonstrations—­of any tangible, concrete effort made either by the German people or its representative diplomacy to avoid a catastrophe.  On the other hand it must be said that the latter (German diplomacy) deliberately baulked the only practical proposal (Sir Edward Grey’s) which could have brought about a solution.  The German nation did desire peace, but only on the condition that their opponents granted Germany and Austria’s arrogant claims down to the smallest tittle.

Exactly at six minutes to one (midday) on August 1st, a telegram left Berlin instructing the German Ambassador in St. Petersburg to declare war on Russia at 5 p.m. if the latter State had not given a satisfactory answer to Germany’s ultimatum by that time.  Count Pourtales performed this duty, and therewith the sands of fate ran out.

On the previous day summonses had been issued calling a meeting of the Reichstag for Tuesday, August 4th.  The opening ceremony took place at 1 p.m. and all the political parties were present, except the Social Democrats, who, according to their traditions, did not appear, and thus escaped the famous hand-shaking scene.  The Kaiser and two of his sons appeared in field-grey uniform.  His theatrical appeal for the leaders of each party to swear fidelity to the national cause by shaking hands with him, as well as his saying that “Now there are only Germans,” may have been spontaneous; but it is far more probable that they were meant to be a diplomatic appeal to the sentimental vanity of the German nation.

It would be superfluous to deal with the speech from the throne in this place, but at the close of the ceremony an incident occurred which deserves mention.  “After taking leave of the Reichstag’s representatives the Kaiser stretched out his hand to the famous professor of jurisprudence in Strasbourg University, Dr. van Calker.  The Kaiser looked steadily at Professor van Calker for a moment, then, after the handshake, clenched his fist and struck downwards uttering these words:  ’Nun aber wollen wir sie dreschen!’[19] (’Now we will jolly well thrash them!’); nodded to the professor and walked away."[20]

[Footnote 19:  This utterance has since become a common theme for composition exercises in German schools.]

[Footnote 20:  Taegliche Rundschau, August 5th.]

The sitting in the Reichstag was a solemn event.  On that occasion the Chancellor expressed himself at length in defining Germany’s position.

“A tremendous fate has fallen upon Europe.  While we have endeavoured to maintain the prestige of the German Empire in the eyes of the world, we have lived for forty-four years in peace and protected European peace.  In this work of peace we have become strong and mighty—­therefore we are envied.  We have suffered with long-enduring patience; while in the East and West, under the excuse that Germany is lusting for war, hatred for us has been nourished and fetters wrought where-with to bind us.  The wind which blows there has now become a storm.