The Commander shook his head doubtfully.

“You really think we shall be able to keep Antwerp without further trouble?”

“We must, and shall, have Antwerp.  Belgium and the Netherlands may continue to exist, for we cannot with any justification annex them.  But the Netherlands and Antwerp will enter into closer political relations with the German Empire for the sake of their own interests.  Their Governments are too weak to put down revolutionary movements in their countries for any length of time.  We are moving irresistibly towards the formation of larger states.  The fact that war in its attendant manifestations is a means of promoting the union of peoples seems to me to some extent to mitigate its cruelty.”

“That sounds very fanciful, Herr major,” said the Captain, turning the conversation.  “But what sort of information do you propose to send by your agents to Dover?”

“I propose to confirm the Admiral in the idea that we intend to leave the Schelde with the fleet and a number of our private companies’ steamers, and, with the support of the French fleet, to throw an army across to Dover.”

“I am surprised that the English have not even attempted to force our positions.  One is almost tempted to believe that the English navy is as inefficient as the English army.  If our enemies felt strong enough, they would have appeared long ago before Brest, Cherbourg, Flushing, Wilhelmshaven, or Kiel.  Heligoland could not stop a fleet of ironclads from forcing its way into the Elbe; it ought rather to be a welcome object of attack for the English fleet.  If I were in command, I should set out against Heligoland with the older ironclads—­Albion, Glory, Canopus, Coliath, Ocean, and Vengeance.  The little island could hardly resist these six battleships for long, and the German North Sea fleet—­supposing one to exist—­would be obliged to come out from Wilhelmshaven to save its honour.”

“The reason they do nothing of the sort is not so much the consciousness of their own weakness, as the fact that they have no one whose genius would be equal to the situation.  Certainly, they have several capable admirals, but there is no Nelson among them.  Perhaps our war also would have remained in abeyance, had not the Emperor discovered in our new Chancellor the genius needed by the times.  The wars against Denmark, Austria, and France would hardly have taken place without Bismarck’s initiative.  Even under a most wretched government which commits the grossest blunders great states can exist for a long time; but advancement, real progress is only possible through the intervention of a strong personality.”

“I am not quite of your opinion.  I am convinced that it is economic conditions that from time to time force on great revolutions.  Do you think, for instance, that the Russians would have conquered India if the economic conditions of the natives had been better?”

“Certainly not.  Even a great man must have the soil prepared on which to prove his strength.  And I think that our Chancellor has appeared on the scene just at the right moment.”