Bismarck’s interest in things was never keenly aroused unless they were worth lying about.  When he said “the Eastern question is not worth the bones of a single Pomeranian grenadier,” he was formulating in his mind the programme of the “Drang nach Osten,” the great push towards the East.  The Russo-Turkish war; the humbling of the victorious Slav colossus by the Congress of Berlin; the diabolical treachery contained in the Resolutions of the said Congress (not one of which but contains the germ of some revolt or movement on the part of the races of the Turkish Empire); the separation of Bulgaria and Roumelia, united by the Treaty of San Stefano; the subsequent reunion, directed against Russia, of these two countries; the handing over of Bulgaria to a Coburg, bound by ties to Austria—­all these things were brought about by the treachery and guile of the super-liar who ruled at Berlin.  And since then, William II has done everything possible to advance this “Drang nach Osten,” Prussia’s favourite scheme.

And whilst the menace of this “push towards the East” is steadily growing, whilst he who directs it from Berlin holds in his hand all the strings of the puppets who can help to advance it or pretend (as part of the conspiracy) to oppose it, what is great Russia doing, the mighty Tzar, and France?

They tell us that Russia is abandoning her interests in the East and that the Tzar is dreaming of giving Europe a lasting peace—­a peace chiefly favourable to the economic and commercial development of Germany and to the increase of her influence.

Russia and France seem scarcely to realise that the only force which can drive back the tide of Germanic invasion is the Slav power, organised and firmly established in Europe.  A Balkan league including Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, a southern Slav kingdom, a Bohemia-Moravia, these might hold the German power in check and give to Europe the necessary equilibrium.  France has an interest as great as Russia’s in the organisation of this opposing force, but she does not realise the fact.  Just as the Athenians stretched out their hands towards the power of Rome, deadly in its fascination, even so there are culpably blind patriots among us who dream the monstrous dream of an entente with Germanism.  As well might one, to escape the flood, throw oneself into the rising ravening torrent.  Before long, Germany will be the ruler of Austria, of Hungary, Turkey and Holland, and we shall have prepared no counterpoise to this encroachment, we, the Allies of the great Russian people, who, even though they may eventually succumb to the fatal attraction of Asia, might first help us to secure our racial psychology and to establish bonds between our Gallo-Latin soul and the soul of the Slavs.

The Germans are establishing themselves comfortably and permanently in China.  There lies before me an extract from the first number of a newspaper published by the Germans in China under the title of The German Asiatic Sentinel.  This official organ of the Kiao-chao territory appears every week with six pages of articles and advertisements.  It is strange to find in it advertisements of the most diverse description, from that which commends brown Kulmback beer, to that in which two young German merchants seek to correspond, with a view to marriage, with good-looking young German girls of good family.