Wolf, made a scene when the speech from the throne was read in the “Burg”; he declared that we were mad and would have to account for it to the delegation, and made many other equally pleasant remarks, but he had also come to a wrong conclusion about the Customs dues and Stockholm.

You are quite right in saying that it is no concern of Germany’s what we do in the interior.  But they have not attempted the slightest interference with the dues.  If they are afraid of an anti-German rate of exchange and, therefore, are in favour of the dues, we are to a certain extent to blame.  The Berlin people are always afraid of treachery.  When a vessel answers the starboard helm it means she turns to the right, and in order to check this movement the steersman must put the helm to larboard as the only way to keep a straight course—­he must hold out.  Such is the case of statecraft in Vienna—­it is always carried out of the course of the Alliance.

It is possible to turn and steer the Entente course if thought feasible; but then courage would be needed to make the turn fully.  Nothing is more stupid than trifling with treachery and not carrying it out; we lose all ground in Berlin and gain nothing either in London or Paris.  But why should I write all this—­you share my opinions; I do not need to convert you.  We will talk about Stockholm again.—­In true friendship, your old

  CZERNIN.

As a matter of fact, Tisza in this instance allowed himself to be quite converted, and raised no objections as to the Hungarian Social Democrats.  The negative result of the Stockholm Congress is known.

As already mentioned, it is at present still impossible to discuss in detail the various negotiations and attempts at peace.  Besides the negotiations between Revertera and Armand, other tentative efforts were made.  For instance, the interviews already alluded to between the Ambassador Mennsdorff and General Smuts, which were referred to in the English Parliament.  I do not consider it right to say more about the matter here.  But I can and will repeat the point of view which was at the bottom of all our peace efforts since the summer of 1917, and which finally wrecked them all.

The last report cited reflected the views of the Entente quite correctly.  With Germany there was at present no possibility of intercourse.  France insisted on the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine, and the entire Entente demanded the abolition of German militarism.  Neither would Germany be allowed to retain her colonies.  But Germany was not yet “ripe” for this demand to be made.  In the opinion of the Entente, therefore, any debate on the subject would be useless.  For us the case was different.  The impression prevailed that we could conclude a separate peace providing we were ready to make sacrifices.  The London terms had created a situation which must be accepted.  Concessions to Roumania, the cession