In these different phases of military hopes and expectation we floated like a boat on a stormy sea.  In order to land in the haven of peace, we needed a military wave to carry us nearer to the land; then only could we unfurl the sail of understanding that would help us to reach the saving shores.  As long as the enemy persisted only in dealing with the crushed and depopulated Central Powers all was in vain.

I never believed in the success of the U-boat warfare.  I believed in a break-through on the Western front, and during the winter of 1917-1918 lived in the hope that by such means we might break the obstinate love of destruction in our enemies.

As long as our adversaries’ peace terms remained the same peace was impossible, as was also the bringing of any outside pressure to bear on Germany, for it was true that “the German army was fighting more to support Austria-Hungary than it was for its own existence.”

Threatening and breathing disaster, the decisions of the Pact of London confronted us.  They forced us always to take up arms again, and drove us back into the field.

* * * * *

At the time of writing these lines, in June, 1919, Austria has long ceased to exist.  There is only left now a small, impoverished, wretched land called German-Austria, a country without army or money; helpless, starving, and wellnigh in despair.  This country has been told of the peace terms at St. Germain.  It has been told it must give up the Tyrol as to be handed over to Italy.  And defenceless and helpless as it is, it sends up a cry of despair and frantic grief.  One voice only is heard—­such peace is impossible!

How could an Austrian Government accept the dictates of London at a time when our armies stood far advanced in enemy country, unvanquished and unbroken, when we had for Ally the strongest land Power in the world, and when the greatest generals of the war so firmly believed in the break-through and in final victory?

To demand that in 1917 or 1918 I should have accepted peace terms which in 1919 were rejected by the whole of the German-Austrian people is sheer madness.  But it may be there is method in such madness.  The method of using every means to discredit the “old regime.”

* * * * *

In the beginning of August, 1917, an effort was made at a rapprochement between England and Germany which, unfortunately, almost immediately broke down.

At the suggestion of England a neutral Power had sounded Germany with regard to Belgium.  Germany replied that she was ready for direct verbal negotiations with England on the Belgian question.  In transmitting this favourable answer, Germany did not entrust it to the same neutral Power that had brought the message, but for some unknown reason confided it to a trusted messenger from another neutral country.  This latter appears to have been guilty of some indiscreet dealings, and when rumours of the affair reached Paris it caused some anxiety.  It was probably thought there that England was more interested in the Belgian than in the Alsace-Lorraine question.