“At Rome, I have insulted the traditional and sacred majesty of the Head of the Christian religion!

“In England, I have done even more.  I have compelled proud Albion to serve the ends of my personal policy.  I have forced the most jealous of nations to yield the leading place to me, to work, in her own colonies and against her own interests, for the benefit of my growing rivalry, sacrificing to me her dreams of supremacy in the four quarters of the globe.

“As to America, I will deal with her later.  I have my plans.

“Despite Lord Salisbury’s make-believe of caution and reserve (about which, I may say, we quite understand each other) England is so completely delivered into my power that, after the Conservatives the Liberals, in the person of the young leader John Morley, now proffer me their services, and no matter what changes may take place in the English parties my influence will soon prevail.

“My journeys to the Scandinavian States have been fruitful.  In Denmark, O Tzar! your own father-in-law has become almost associated with my destiny.

“I have linked with my fortunes a king of French stock in Sweden, and I will prove it at Alsen Island, where I shall compel him to take part in the manoeuvres of my fleet.

“As to Norway, a few words from my Imperial lips have overcome the old republicanism of these brother Teutons.

“So as to keep closer watch over the submission of my new allies, I have wrested Heligoland from England; and there I shall build an eagle’s nest from which I shall be able to swoop down upon them, should they attempt to escape me.  Those who had any doubts as to the importance of this surrender, have learned it from the speeches that I made when taking possession.

“By this means I have closed the German Ocean for ever, and that which is closed gives access to something.

“What need I say of Turkey that you do not know already?  All her thoughts, movements and actions are regulated by one man, and he a vassal of German policy.  Turkey’s army, trade and finances, the direction of her ruling minds, are either in my hands or in those of England.  And England, say what you will, is hypnotised by me.

“I can afford at my pleasure to challenge her policy indefinitely.

“The diplomas which she conferred upon the Bulgarian bishops after the execution at Panitza have shown you, my brother, how greatly I am pleased to favour those whom you have condemned!  Stamboulof, the inveterate foe of Russia, now dominates the elections in Bulgaria and Roumelia, thanks to the irade on the bishoprics.  He goes in triumph through the land, so that even the Russophile candidates invoke the protection of this man, who shoots the country’s heroes and reduces its prince to the level of an ordinary public servant.  His audacity, his impunity, the length of his tether, have no limits except those which will be imposed upon him by my power should you turn a deaf ear to my proposals.