relations were adjusted on a basis of give-and-take.  But by that time Germany had come into the colonial field, and the Entente with England meant new friction with Germany, turning upon French designs in Morocco.  In this matter Great Britain supported her ally, and the incident of Agadir in 1911 showed the solidity of the Entente.  This demonstration no doubt strengthened the hands of the aggressive elements in France, and later on the influence of M. Delcasse and M. Poincare was believed in certain quarters to have given new energy to this direction of French policy.  This tendency to chauvinism was recognized as a menace to peace, and we find reflections of that feeling in the Belgian dispatches.  Thus, for instance, Baron Guillaume, Belgian minister at Paris, writes on February, 21, 1913, of M. Poincare:—­

It is under his Ministry that the military and slightly chauvinistic instincts of the French people have awakened.  His hand can be seen in this modification; it is to be hoped that his political intelligence, practical and cool, will save him from all exaggeration in this course.  The notable increase of German armaments which supervenes at the moment of M. Poincare’s entrance at the Elysee will increase the danger of a too nationalistic orientation of the policy of France.

Again, on March 3, 1913:—­

The German Ambassador said to me on Saturday:  “The political situation is much improved in the last forty-eight hours; the tension is generally relaxed; one may hope for a return to peace in the near future.  But what does not improve is the state of public opinion in France and Germany with regard to the relations between the two countries.  We are persuaded in Germany that a spirit of chauvinism having revived, we have to fear an attack by the Republic.  In France they express the same fear with regard to us.  The consequence of these misunderstandings is to ruin us both.  I do not know where we are going on this perilous route.  Will not a man appear of sufficient goodwill and prestige to recall every one to reason?  All this is the more ridiculous because, during the crisis we are traversing, the two Governments have given proof of the most pacific sentiments, and have continually relied upon one another to avoid conflicts.”

On this Baron Guillaume comments:—­

Baron Schoen is perfectly right, I am not in a position to examine German opinion, but I note every day how public opinion in France becomes more suspicious and chauvinistic.  One meets people who assure one that a war with Germany in the near future is certain and inevitable.  People regret it, but make up their minds to it....  They demand, almost by acclamation, an immediate vote for every means of increasing the defensive power of France.  The most reasonable men assert that it is necessary to arm to the teeth to frighten the enemy and prevent war.

On April 16th he reports a conversation with M. Pichon, in which the latter says:—­