England calculated that if she were to remain
neutral, a complete defeat of France and a victo-
rious repulsion of the Russian attack would be
the most likely result. Russia's financial collapse
would inevitably follow, which, in turn, would
preclude the chance for renewing the war against
Germany at once or within the near future. It is
not difficult, from an English viewpoint, to appre-
ciate the undesirable or even dangerous contin-
gencies of a future such as would evolve from
this turn of events. It is quite a different matter
to establish friendly relations with the Germans
and to grant concessions in Africa and in the
Orient to a Germany that is encompassed by
her French and Russian opponents, and on the
other hand, to have dealings with a Germany
that is unimpeded by considerations for its
neighbors.
The War 1W

Let there be no mistake : these are arguments
from the English point of view. France and
Russia having been defeated, what can prevent
Germany, under the impulse of a great national
revival and by means of the French indemnity
of war, from building a navy which fully equals
that of England ? Who can prevent Italy, which
as an active ally of Germany would help to
bring France to her knees, from annexing French
North Africa and making the Mediterranean an
Italian sea ? Italy, with Tunis and Sicily in her
possession, can gain complete control of the
Mediterranean route between Gibraltar and the
Suez canal, so that no ship would be able to pass
without her express consent.
