towards Germany the attitude that he (M. Delcassé) had adopted, i.., that Germany had no locus standi in the settlement of Morocco, and if, as the result of that attitude, war should ensue, the British Government was prepared to mobilise the fleet, seize the Keil Canal, and land 100,000 men in Schleswig-Holstein. These assurances had been verbally conveyed by Lord Lansdowne to M. Cambon, the French Ambassador. M. Lauzanne, the editor of the Matin, published these revelations over his own signature, and adhered to them despite official denials. Moreover, Jaurés, the French Socialish leader, confirmed the substantial accuracy of the story both in a speech at Limoges and in L'Humanité. In this connection the reader is referred to Lord Fisher's disclosures mentioined in Notes 2 and 34. The precise character of Lord Lansdowne's assurances to the French Ambassador is still a diplomatic secret. Sir John Fisher (afterwards Lord Fisher), then First Sea Lord, told Colonel Repington in December. 1905, that they were "quite distinct in their tenor."
34Sir (now Lord) John Fisher tells us in his "Memoirs" that the German Emperor informed Mr. Alfred Beit (the South African millionaire) that he had heard of "my (Fisher's) idea of 'Copenhagening' the German fleet": in other words of making a sudden descent upon Germany, without a previous declaration of war, repeating the action against Denmark in 1807. That Sir John Fisher, who was first Sea Lord, and, therefore, in charge of the activities and disposal of the British Navy, did entertain these views, and pressed them upon the King, he expressly states. See also Note 2.
35See Notes 2, 33, 34,
36American-Spanish war of 1898.
37"But we have been from time to time hampered by the fact that in many parts of the world we found ourselves face to face with unprofitable competition, with rivalries which were advantageous to no one, unless, perhaps, to some astute potentate who knew how to take advantage of them." (Lord Lansdowne, Nov. 7). Mr. Balfour's speech is accurately quoted.
38Fall of the Lansdowne-Balfour Unionist Government and advent of the Liberals under Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, with Sir Edward Grey as Foreign Secretary.
39Serious strikes and revolutionary movements were convulsing Russia as the result of the disastrous war with Japan, and several prominent Ministers had been assassinated.
40In Le Temps of Dec. 26, The Kaiser is reported to have said to M. Georges Villiers, its correspondent, what is here recalled.
41German Constitution, before Revolution: "The executive power is in the Emperor's hands. He represents the Empire internationally, and can declare war, if defensive, and make peace as well as enter into treaties with other nations. For declaring offensive war the consent of the Federal Council must be obtained."
42White Book on Morocco.
