On another occasion, Mommsen wrote:  “We are twin brothers; we became separated from you in former days, but soon we must be united again.”  The linguistic map of Germany, widespread wherever German is spoken, reveals very clearly what are the ambitions of “Alt-Deutschland.”  The lion’s maw of the “Slav-eaters” is always wide open.  Sometimes the devouring beast walks delicately, at others he hurls himself savagely on his prey.

The opening of the Reichstag has provided us with a very important speech from the throne by William II, for it emphasises the lack of agreement which prevails between Sovereign, Parliament and people.  The Emperor-King has announced his plan for a seven-years’ period for naval service, similar to that in force in the army.  The Bill will come before the Reichstag during its present session.  As William has declared more than once, he intends that the naval strength of Germany shall equal that of her army.  As for the German people, while ready to accept all the sacrifices required to maintain the supremacy of its military forces, it has no hankerings after naval supremacy.  Its proudest hopes lie in the direction covered by the “Drang nach Osten” formula.  It wants to advance upon Austria, while retaining the ground already won.  Mommsen and the Duke of Baden between them sum up Germany’s ambitions.

In Germany at the present moment, public opinion would appear to be satisfied with preserving the work of William I and pushing on towards the East; but how little will these things satisfy William II!  It is the will of the German Emperor, King of Prussia, to be a law-giver to the East, to dispute with England the sovereignty of the seas, to take bites out of China, to display the ever-victorious flag of Germany all over the world.  It is true that, to accomplish this will of his, will require an additional 500 millions, and it will require, in particular, that the Reichstag should vote them in one lump sum.  William II is like his teacher Bismarck in the matter of dogged obstinacy.  Like him, he will present his scheme in a hundred different guises, until its opponents become weary and give in.

Germany has just been giving the European Concert a lesson in the policy of energy.  She displays as much bluntness in her sudden claims as she displayed skill in having the Concert brought to ridicule by Turkey.  Haiti and China have yielded on the spot to her direct threats.  If they reflect, will not the Powers of the Concert realise that Germany’s every act is either a challenge or a lesson?  The German expedition to Kiao-chao, 4000 strong, is so greatly in excess of the requirements of her claims to compensation for injuries suffered, that it reveals a definite intention on the part of William II to take advantage of the first plausible pretext to acquire a naval station in China.