Saturday, December 20, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
#42
Enemy Alliances Plot.
Reading between the Lines from Donald Britton Conrad's book:
Kaiser Wilhelm: In the Service of God and Evil.
Part II.
The Maitre d’hotel entered to announce that lunch was prepared. With joviality at an end, the men silently walked single file toward the dining area. Large and small paintings of famous hunting horses covered the dining room walls. Four diners could sit comfortably around each small table. Everyone selected a comrade to sit by. Soon the room filled up with noisy chatter of men seeking to learn more about each other.
General Joffre said to Kitchener, “I see you need to walk with a cane. How did you come to hurt your leg?”
“During my six years as army commander-in-chief in India, I traveled about sixty thousand miles on tours. One day on my way home to ‘Wildflower Hall’ in Simla, my horse and I passed through a dark tunnel on the road. For some reason, my horse took fright and bolted. I jammed my foot against one of the timber props and fractured my leg above the ankle.”
“It must be painful.”
“Yes, but mostly when the weather is bad.”
“What do you do when you are not touring?”
“I have a passion for fine china. Whenever I come across a rare piece of china, nothing holds me back until I add it to my collection. It has become so bad that some dealers close their doors when they hear that I am coming their way!”
Joffre laughed.
The two men sat down next to General Rennenkampf and Admiral Jellicoe. Soldiers served lunch promptly and efficiently without interrupting the table conversations.
Joffre asked Kitchener, “What do you find most exasperating in your army experiences?”
“By Christ, I firmly believe that it is unnecessary correspondence! I drew up a list of maxims for the benefit of newcomers to my staff. First, never write anything. Second, if you want something done, catch the Adjutant General; he is sure to be here tomorrow. Third, if an officer wants leave, catch me if he can! Fourth, if you get leave, go home at once and take care never to come back!”
“Actually, I learned a good lesson that operations, though long and arduous, did not demand a large force. The desirable figure must include exemplary British troops for the decisive battle. Whatever the size of the force one hand must, control it.”
“Another, perhaps the greatest, advantage is that the problem before the commander deals only with concrete facts. To look for a good example in military history, the palm for organization goes to the elder von Moltke for his preparations that led to victory against the Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866, and then France in 1871. The secret of his success lay in the fact that he studied a concrete plan and not an academic problem. Moltke then built his strategy and tactics. Moltke got out his map of his enemies and made out marching tables according to the capacity of the roads that led towards his objective; the rest was comparatively easy."
“Today’s preparations are even greater than that in 1871. The details that demand study include calculations about the enemy’s strength; the number of troops that will be required; shipping and other transport; equipment, supplies and munitions; geographical details about harbors and landing places, railways and roads. Then, the authority can make those plans which alone could lead to success.”
Joffre patted Horatio’s hand. “Tres bien, mon ami!”
Kitchener and Joffre returned to their meals. The Frenchman occasionally and unabashedly helped himself from the Englishman’s plate.
“When I was in India,” Kitchener chuckled, “we held a reception to honor the Ameer of Afghanistan. I instructed the bandmaster to play the Afghan national anthem on the arrival of the great potentate. No one ever heard of such a tune. The bandmaster appealed to me."
“I said, ‘It does not matter two straws what is played, as he does not know a note of music. Play two or three bars of something heavy, pompous and slow, and let it go at that.’ The bandmaster finally decided upon what sounded a bit like a march. It played with such success that those newspapers in every city visited by the Ameer printed columns about the beautiful Afghan national anthem! Ever since, it plays at all royal functions in Kabul. Few people recognize the strains of an old German opera. But what the hell, everyone was made happy!”
“That is indeed a great story, Horatio!” exclaimed Joffre while chomping on Kitchener’s biscuit. “Once upon a time a Colonel came to the Grand Quartier Général. He was an expert and an enthusiast of heavy artillery, and he wanted to argue for an increase in that branch of the Service. ‘Je t’ecoute, Monsieur le Colonel. Parles!’ For half an hour, the enthusiast poured out an eloquent stream of double talk on the value of heavy guns. I never said a word. When he finished, I gave him a tap on the shoulder. ‘Ce sacre Colonel, il a toujour bien aimé l’artillerie. C’est bien ca!’ His face changed into one filled with happiness at my praise."
“He thanked me and said that indeed his love of cannons lay deep within his soul. Then, I waved him off to avoid another hour of prate!”
Rennenkampf laughed loudly. “We have the same problem in the Russian army. I left a Lieutenant standing inside my tent in Manchuria telling me what he thought was the exact location of Japanese troops. ‘They are five hundred meters, south-southwest from this point, directly behind a knoll that is about fifty feet high.’ Before another word, I was on my horse followed by a thousand Cossacks headed for the sound of the guns! I often wonder if young officer is still waiting to salute me upon my return?”
Admiral Jellicoe leaned forward. “I entered the navy as a cadet at the age of thirteen in 1872. I earned my commission eight years later. My indeed, naval training has changed since those halcyon days!"
“I loved gunnery and it became my specialty. After all, what good is a battleship it she can’t hit the broad side of a barn? By the turn of the century, the Royal navy had developed, to a much higher degree, naval gunnery along the lines that approximated the real conditions of war. It resulted in using a system of direct firing. Today, it is the primary one for laying and firing guns on most classes of His Majesty’s ships.”
“During my first trip as gunnery lieutenant, I went to the rescue of the crew of a stranded steamer. I was in charge of a gig manned by volunteers. Our boat was upset in the heavy sea and my crew and I survived with difficulty. The stranded ship’s crew assisted us aboard!”
Everyone hearing the story, laughed.
“Did you have fear of drowning?” asked Joffre.
“Actually, I would say no. I was so worried about my crew, that the thought never entered my mind."
“I also took part in the expedition to relieve legations in Peking during the Boxer rebellion in 1900. A bullet found me as I climbed over dead horse. I received the Companion of the Order of the Bath that neatly covered my wound! In spite of my propensity for endangering my life, that year they promoted me to Admiral of the Atlantic fleet!"
“I have had several close calls in my career. My first command was the flagship Victoria. When the Camperdown rammed her, I again had to take to the water. One of my naval cadets saved me.”
“Here! Here!” exclaimed his companions.
“Tell us, Admiral,” requested General Rennenkampf, “What was the cause of the sinking of the Victoria?”
Jellicoe finished eating a portion of his meal before responding. He placed two saltshakers in front of himself.
"Back in 1893, our battleship Victoria, was the largest of its kind. At the time, she was the flagship of Admiral Sir George Tryon. I was its captain. You can imagine what a great opportunity that promotion was for a guy like me.”
Before continuing, Jellicoe poured himself a cup of tea. “The fleet had left Beyrout for Tripoli. The Victoria and its sister ship the Camperdown steamed in two lines twelve hundred yards apart."
“For some reason, Admiral Tyron wished to turn the whole fleet round. He signaled to the leading ships of each line to turn round in a semi-circle and to steer in the opposite direction to that in which they had been steering."
To indicate the movement, Jellicoe moved the two shakers on the table into positions representing the fleet.
“Then, naturally, the other ships in each of the columns would follow the ship ahead of them. This was all right and a simple maneuver, if each of the leading ships, Victoria and Campertown, turned outwards, or even if both turned either port or starboard. Sir George insisted turning both of the leading ships inwards toward each other. The ships
collided and the Victoria sank. The admiral paid for his mistake with his life.”
“What happened to you, John?” asked Joffre.
“I lost everything except my pleasing personality, sir!”
“Oh, come on now, old man,” pressed Joffre, “you must have had a difficult time!”
Jellicoe nodded his head several times.
“At the time of the tragedy, I was suffering from Malta fever and was in bed. I had just gotten to the bridge as the hull turned over and I found myself underwater. I started to rise to the surface and a midshipman swam up to me and supported me. A motorboat picked us up. I still have nightmares of the loss of those brave twenty officers and three hundred men!”
Jellicoe paused for a moment and stared at the ceiling. Everyone could see tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Tres triste!” cried Joffre. “In spite of such adverse situations, you are indeed a man possessed of much luck!”
Joffre changed the topic. He turned to General Kitchener. “I see that you have been wounded in your lower jaw. Tell us about it.”
“We all have our scars, don’t we? Well, when I was chasing Osman Digna in the Sudan, a dervish got lucky and shot me in my lower jaw. I never felt any pain, but I sure as hell could not issue any orders. The wound was serious and I ended up spending a month in hospital at Cairo. But as you can see, it didn’t affect my ability to bullshit!”
The men struck their coffee cups with spoons in approval of Kitchener’s remarks.
At Edward Grey’s table, the conversation took on a semi-serious tone.
“I have rarely crossed the seas,” said the Secretary. “Northumberland is good enough for me. It has splendid fishing.”
“Once, however, on account of a visit of British Cabinet Ministers to Paris most everyone spoke French. However, Asquith would not and Lloyd George could not, so I had to speak French. In French, I know my vocabulary to be limited, my grammar to be imperfect and my genders to be at the mercy of chance. My accent is atrocious. With my back against the wall, something relevant could always be forthcoming. When the Council was over, and we three British Ministers were safely outside, Lloyd George said to me, ‘You know, Edward, your French was the only French that I could understand!’”
“That is a wonderful story, Edward,” said Admiral Jackie Fisher.
“Even though my name is John French,” said the General, “I was a poor student of the language. Thank goodness for my wife. She hired a teacher who followed me everywhere! In three weeks, I was speaking like a Parisian.”
Slurping his soup, Admiral Augustin Lapeyrere mumbled, “I’ve always spoken French.”
Someone flicked a half-eaten roll at him.
Edward continued. “My eyesight worries me very much since I must read dozens of documents each day. The doctors say that I have glaucoma and that there is yet no cure for it. I think it has something to do with the Foreign Office, because my German counterpart Herr Holstein also had extremely bad eyes.”
Without a slack in his conversation, he changed the subject.
“My principles of foreign policy are to implement our agreement with France made in 1904, and a similar agreement that we made with Russia in 1907. We agreed that settlement of our old quarrels as ancient rivals was vital. In order to disguise our goal, the agreements should not be entitled alliances. Entente sounds less threatening. Thus, Britain could continue to pursue friendly relations with Germany, provided Germany will acquiesce to our friendly relations with France and Russia. It seems to me a lesser evil that Britain should maintain the atmosphere of uncertainty with regard to her ultimate action, as conditional on the merits of a casus belli.”
The lighting of cigars and pouring of coffee interrupted Edward’s discussion.
General French helped him continue by apologizing for the interruption.
“Thanks, John,” said Edward giving him thumbs up. “War might arise so suddenly that the need for action would be a question of not days but of hours. Anglo-French cooperation has improved over the years, and our military reforms seek how best to supply a British expeditionary force. Together, we detailed a scheme for its immediate transportation overseas by agreed routes to join the left wing of the French army.”
“Absolument!” cried Joffre clenching his fist and grinning broadly.
“One result of our conversations should concern itself with plans of the Belgian military authorities for the defense of their country’s neutrality. I warned the French military that they must on no account enter Belgium unless compelled to do so by previous violation of Belgium territory by Germany. The Germans must be seen as the villain by the entire world.”
His table companions nodded to each other in agreement.
“I have also a further point of view,” said Edward smoothing the tablecloth in front of him, “that I want to share with you. The door for a rapprochement between Britain and Russia opened after her difficulties with Japan. Today, we are on good terms with her. I believe that the entente between Russia, France and Britain is now secure. If it becomes necessary to check German arms, it can now be done.”
“Indeed!” said Joffre as he took his napkin and wiped his mouth.
Everyone stood up, stretched their arms and headed for the loo.
Before returning to the conference room, Grey turned to Joffre. “How do you find our Lord Kitchener?”
“Well, mon ami, today he seems in good form, so cheery and pleasant. He is most interesting and instructive and much less secretive than I had imagined. He discussed every sort of question with me and told me his views, always searching and far-reaching. I eagerly look forward to us working together. I believe with his wide experience he is perfectly capable of completing the final side of our war triangle.”
General Rennenkampf walked up to the two men and offered them a cigarette. Both declined the offer. Joffre gently waved his index finger at the Russian and asked him about his surname. “To me it sounds tres Allemand, n’est-ce pas?”
“Yes, my Gallic friend,” replied Pavel in clear French.
“Tell us, if you will, from where does your name originate, s’il vous plait?”
“If you insist, Joseph, I will. My last name certainly sounds German and creates a bit of confusion even among my Russian colleagues.”
Twisting the ends of his mustache, he offered to explain his genealogy. “Remenkampf stems from the region around Munster, Germany from the house of Mittendorf. The name is in documents there. However, the expression kamp means a field. It was, thus, a land term for a district that belonged to the Cloister Vennenberg. On a document dealing with
the sale of a house in the year 1482, was the signature of a Johann von Remenkampe. With the passage of time, the land title passed to the family name. By the end of the sixteenth century, a branch of the family settled in Riga as shopkeepers. Near the end of the seventeenth century, a Rennenkampf, with an ‘f,’ became the financial administrator for Latvia. As happened often on official documents, names are changed. My branch of the family has lived in and around Estonia and Latvia.”
Joffre grabbed the Russian General’s hand. “Would it not be a wondrous thing to whip Kaiser Wilhelm’s ass by a man with a German name?"
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
# 41
Enemy Alliances Plot.
Reading between the Lines from Donald Britton Conrad's book: Kaiser Wilhelm: In the Service of God and Evil.
1913.
Gossiping while they swept clean their porches, three middle-aged women garbed in smocks and kerchiefs greeted the early morning sun. A light breeze furled and unfurled the Union Jack high on the Boer War Memorial pole.
They put down their brooms when they observed a number of black limousines drive up and park across the street in front of the Red Lion Inn. Men in black suits and derbies surrounded the automobiles while the passengers emerged and quickly entered the Inn. The empty vehicles roared off, their drivers in search of a secluded place in which to park.
“Gawd,” exclaimed one woman, “It looks like an invasion of those creatures I saw in the cinema last week. Nellie, what was that flick called? Oh, yes, ‘War of the Worlds!’ ”
“Yes, Flo,” agreed her neighbor, “but they look more like those awful German spies we see in the comic strips!”
The third woman laughed and declared that the Inn would make more money today than they had made in a month!
A tall, heavily mustached man met the guests at the inn entrance. Clad in foxhunting uniform complete with a bright red coat, white pants and black boots he looked out of place.
“Good morning, Gentlemen! Welcome to the Red Lion Inn. I am William McMetz, concierge, at your service. The Inn is without guests for the entire day in order to provide you with complete secrecy. The government has provided security men throughout the building. Please follow me to our comfortable meeting room, especially arranged for your group.”
McMetz led the way inside a high-ceilinged room with spacious Georgian windows, wide wooden floors and colored walls whose richness had mellowed over the years.
Once inside the meeting room the group broke up into twos and threes. The military figures retained their ramrod stiffness. Jocularity among them created a sort of esprit de corps.
Other guests appeared more casual and chatted quietly.
Unexpectedly, the double doors leading to the meeting room were open by the efforts of the red-coated concierge. Two tall, middle-aged men entered and immediately began shaking hands with the visitors. Most of the conversation was in English, spattered with a sentence or two in French.
Without waiting for instructions, each man found a chair and sat around a dark oak, oblong table made up of individual tables pushed together. It was bare except for a covering of gray felt cloth.
The two latecomers took seats at each end of the table. One of them, a tall, gaunt, clean-shaven middle-aged man called the group to order. He wore thick, blue tinted spectacles. His pale face expressed both kindness and deep sincerity that might easily remove any fear of him by onlookers.
Every member recognized him as chairperson and immediately quieted down.
“A very good morning to this distinguished group! The Prime Minister has asked me as Foreign Secretary of Great Britain, to convene this meeting to discuss a practical plan that would meet potential German aggression in Europe. This is a time that tries men’s minds. I ask that you be brutally frank in your thoughts and considerations. Today, we are fortunate to have with us Horatio Kitchener and John French of Great Britain, Joseph Joffre of France, Pavel Rennenkampf of Russia, and his Majesty, King Albert of Belgium. From the British Fleet, we have Admiral Jellicoe. Admiral de Lapeyrere represents the French Fleet.”
Again, the double doors swung open and a short, stocky, middle-aged man strode into the room.
“Pardon my lateness gentlemen, but I was involved in the christening ceremony of the latest addition to the British maritime fleet, His Majesty’s Ship, the Britannic, sister ship to the unfortunate Titanic.”
"You are excused, Admiral Jackie Fisher,” laughed the Secretary.
One member stood up and said, “On behalf of this group, allow me to welcome you Secretary Edward Grey and to thank you for your confidence in us.”
“Thank you,” he replied through a tightly pinched mouth.
A giant of a man raised his hand to gain the Secretary’s attention.
“Yes, General Kitchener, what is your question?”
“Thank you, Edward Grey! If it is at all possible, I prefer that our discussions are limited to English or French. I notice that you have assigned a recorder to take notes. Therefore, I assume that this meeting is entirely secret, especially since you ordered all of us to wear these damned civilian clothes!”
A tittering brought a smile to Edward’s face. He said, “Thanks ‘H.’ This meeting is strictly secret. Need I say top secret? My companion today who will take notes for me is Lieutenant Bernard Montgomery. He graduated at the top of his class at Sandhurst and I believe that he has a great future ahead of him.”
“I think that this meeting is acceptable to all. However, remember we are, for all practical purposes, merely having conversations. I underline the word conversations because what we decide today will have important consequences for the future of our nations. It must never be made public that our Triple Entente ever involved itself in this type of meeting.”
Kitchener ejaculated in a tone that sent a laugh around the table. “We know the real reason you brought the bright, young lieutenant. He probably knows how to spell!”
Montgomery also laughed at Kitchener’s inanity.
“By the way,” continued Grey, “Bernard’s family resided in Tasmania for some twenty years. His father is an Anglican bishop. I thank you Bernard for assisting me today.”
Then the Secretary indicated, with palm up, that His Majesty King Albert was with the group as a participant. “Your Majesty, would you care to say a few introductory words?”
Standing up, the tall, handsome, young monarch said, “Thank you, Edward. Gentlemen, whatever conclusions we reach today will assuredly affect the history of Europe! Let us put on our best thinking caps. God forbid, one mistake could cost us, not only our lives, but also our beloved countries! With your permission, I would like to delay my ideas until the guest speaker has concluded his remarks.”
Grey said, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
The King sat down and folded his arms, satisfied with his decision.
The Secretary announced, “Professor Publius Decaisne is with us today. With the deductive ability of a Sherlock Holmes, the Professor has studied the German danger to Europe. I met with the Publius on several occasions in which he shared with me his diagnosis of the German military plans that if allowed to occur could lead to war.”
“Publius is a graduate of the Free School of Political Science in Paris. Since the turn of the century, he endeavored through his writings to draw the attention of the public to the immense danger that Germany presents by its so-called ‘Plan of German Expansion.’ In order to explain its constituent elements, direct and indirect of the nefarious plan, he lectured widely reaching more than one hundred and fifty cities and towns. Please give him your undivided attention.”
“Professor, Decaisne, the floor is yours.”
The professor, a small, elderly man whose gray hair was in disarray, strode up to an oak lectern upon which he carefully placed his notepapers. He spoke fluent English sprinkled with an occasional French phrase whenever he wished to emphasize a point.
“Merci beaucoup, Monsieur le Secrétaire! I am delighted to be here among such an august group who I believe is deeply interested in keeping peace in Europe.”
“Since this meeting is limited in time, allow me to give you the gist of my findings. Details, of course, are found in my numerous books and pamphlets that I wrote over the past ten years.”
“What is the plan of German expansion? The Germans contend not only that all those who are generally designated German by the rest of the world should be united but brought into the German fold.”
“The object of the German Government is to effect the whole or partial Germanization of countries inhabited by races that are not of German stock. In fact, I claim that the object of German expansion is to disregard all questions of racial and linguistic affinity and to absorb huge tracts of country, the possession of which is useful to advance Hohenzollern interests. In other words, Germany wishes to establish a world system whose leading and immediate feature is the creation of an empire stretching from the North Sea to the Persian Gulf!”
“That is a serious charge,” said General Joffre gravely.
“I have attempted by numerous lectures to give people in high places some notion of the peril of German expansion. I have not contented myself with warning my countrymen. I have also preached a cordial understanding between France and England.”
“My lectures attached enormous importance to German expansion as a decisive factor which has arisen in Germany and the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. It is part of a grand policy to extend the boundaries of both Powers. Please observe the map of Europe that I have placed upon the easel before you.”
“The offset to the German expansion is found in the Triple Entente of France, England and Russia."
“In particular, I feel that the Triple Entente can stymie German aspirations effectively only by encouraging the social and political development of the various Slavic peoples in the Balkan States. Such development has at its essence the interests of France, England and Russia.”
“To be more specific, there is a need for greater cooperation on our parts to parry the dangers of the near future. An obvious one is the building of the Berlin-to-Baghdad railway. I have concluded that from beginning to end, the logical and methodical spirit of Germany has gotten the better of your Triple Entente.”
Edward Grey started and looked around at his compatriots. Everyone had a disappointed look on his face.
“From my recent visits to heads of State in the Balkan nations, I constructed a general picture of the situation there. Since the Berlin-to-Baghdad railway will naturally run its tracks through the Balkans, the Triple Entente must reinforce Slavic resistance to any German intrusion through their ancient lands.”
“On the other hand, I consider it highly probable that the governments in Berlin and Vienna will not shrink from war for the purpose of undoing any attempts by the Entente to interfere with their plans to eventually reach the Persian Gulf. Germany wants to find a suitable way to avoid any blockade of the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal by England and France. Since the German navy cannot fight on land, it is, ergo, necessary to build a railroad to achieve important economic and military contacts in the Middle East and Asia. Soon, gentlemen, Germany will have its ‘road to India!’”
“The entire scheme of aggrandizement that the Kaiser has nourished for over twenty years is about to see the light of day. The first consideration obviously is to control the Balkans either by treaty or by force.”
“One might ask how we came to this point in history. Official German diplomats do not prepare such plans. Instead, members of the Alldeutscher Verband, the Pan-German Union and its secret service agents, run the show. Planning of German expansion stemmed from the fertile, but evil, mind of the late Baron Friedrich von Holstein of the German Foreign Office. His fingerprints are found on every document that described Germany’s expansion desires."
The professor stopped his lecture briefly in order to take a sip from a handy glass of water.
“The results of his evil activities,” the Professor continued, “are reported by various agents to Wilhelmstrasse at the offices of the German General Staff! At the same time, the reports reach the Kaiser’s private study, where he sits upon a hobbyhorse to enable himself to store up all technical means necessary for the achievement of his plan of domination.”
“For several years, discontent in the Balkans favored Wilhelm’s aims. Recently events have suddenly raised serious and unexpected obstacles to the execution of the Pan-German plans. Against the will of Berlin, Italy, the third member of the Triple Alliance conquered Libya, a protectorate of Turkey. Remember, gentlemen, Turkey and Germany are defacto allies! Recently, Greece, Montenegro, Servia and Bulgaria united against the Ottoman Empire and defeated the Turkish armies. Not long after, Romania, once a puppet state of Austria broke away. Today, Servia has emerged as an opponent of Germany’s plan to unite all Balkan Powers into a unified entity. But bold Servia, to Germany’s and Austria’s dismay, tends to side more and more with the Triple Entente of England, France and Russia.”
“Turkey, who has suffered many military defeats in recent years, can hardly put a quarter of a million men under arms. Aside from her ally Bulgaria, Turkey could face a million or more troops from Ottoman Empire haters: Servia, Greece, Montenegro and Romania.”
“I feel certain that Germany plans to intervene directly, along with its allies Austria and Italy, somewhere in the Balkans. The most likely battle will begin in Servia. I fear that a World War is rearing its calamitous head in the very near future. However, an ace in-the-hole for the Triple Entente is that millions of Balkan people seek a deliverance from the hateful yoke of Austria-Hungary, piloted by its doddering, old Emperor, Franz Josef. My conclusion is that if Austria-Hungary unleashes the dogs of war, it will lead to the end of the Dual Monarchy because Russia will eat it alive! Only German arms might save her.”
The group murmured their concurrence with the professor’s words.
Secretary Grey asked, “Isn’t it true, however, Monsieur Decaisne that Kaiser Wilhelm frequently tries to show himself friendly toward France? Would the threat of war be avoided if the Triple Entente had accepted the Emperor’s advances for a European Union?”
“Messieurs, it is undeniable that at certain moments, the Kaiser has tried to draw France and Russia into his own orbit, but it is precisely in order to insure the accomplishment of his German plan, which has been his main preoccupation ever since his accession. The smile of the Berlin tempter beguiles France and England. Germany wants to reduce France to a state of absolute slavery as has never been achieved in history, except as the result of a ruinous war. Need I add a warning to Britain? I say Delenda est Germanica!”
Wiping sweat from his brow, the professor sat down heavily in his chair.
Kitchener stood up while puffing away on his meerschaum pipe. “Pukka Sahib!” he shouted. “A damn fine job Professor!”
“Yes, thank you Professor, for your insightful remarks,” added Edward Grey.
When Professor Decaisne left the conference room, Secretary Grey said with an air of urgency, “Let’s take a pee break, “N’est-ce pas?”
After the men relieved themselves, Generals Joffre, Kitchner and Rennenkampf stood around in the hallway admiring each other’s mustaches.
Kitchener looked at Rennenkampf and said in English, “That is a cracking real cocksucking mustache covering your ugly face!”
Rennenkampf looked confused. “Shto ehta znahchyeet?”
Joffre punched Kitchener in the arm. “He doesn’t understand English.” He turned to the Russian waving his hands in Gallic tradition, “Il a dit que vous est un home merveilleux a cause de votre moustache!”
Rennenkampf brushed the lower part of his mustache with the knuckle of his index finger. Then slowly from his lips emerged a very red tongue. He wiggled it for a moment.
Kitchner laughed. “Why the son-of-a-bitch understands English!”
All three roared their approval.
Kitchener tapped Joffre’s chest. “I wonder what Kaiser Wilhelm would say if he knew we had this meeting?”
The French general laughed. “It certainly won’t be Pokka Sahib!”
Monday, November 3, 2014
# 40
Economists Meet in England 1913
Part Two
“My beloved Russia has just delivered itself from a terrible war with Japan,” said Leo Yamarov. “It cost us thousands of casualties, a loss of an entire naval fleet. Today, Russia still faces bankruptcy because of the expense of needless imperialism!”
Professor Entaille said, “It is true that the enormous increase of the mineral, agricultural, and manufacturing output of Germany leads to the search for more outlets for her newly accumulated wealth. We can put a dent in their efforts for foreign markets by closing their options in Morocco, Egypt, China, Middle East, and elsewhere. Actually we have made quite a bit of success in this endeavor.”
Coughing on some hot tea that went down the wrong way, Professor Yamarov cried out, “Remember that Germany was frustrated at the Algeciras Conference in 1906, in seeking a bigger slice of Africa! Our countries are the main culprits for putting roadblocks before German ambitions. We are all aware that Germany sought to widen its markets by getting a satisfactory agreement at the Algeciras conference. France ended up by gaining nearly complete control of her share of Morocco, the other half being controlled by Spain.” The Russian wiped his mouth with a wrinkled handkerchief and asked, “So, my wise friends, would not further blocking German economic hopes anger the Germans and drive them to commit acts of war?” Silence was the answer. Instead, the others poured themselves fresh cups of coffee.“
On the other hand,” Professor Lambner continued, “for want of markets German manufacture articles have actually cut their prices. This must make it are hard to pay wages. The manufacturers have not dared to stop the output of their goods for fear of angering workmen and bringing on labor strikes.”
Professor Yamarov posed a question, “I don’t quite understand why Great Britain is so frightened of little old Germany? The aggregate of British overseas investment is ten times that of Germany and so is its aggregate income.”
“You are absolutely correct, my friend,” said Professor Lambner. “In the Transvaal, the Cape, Central Africa, India, the East, in the islands of the Southern Seas, and in the Far Northwest, German and English businessmen each struggle to be first in selling their wares. As I have pointed out, Germany’s industrial progress approaches that of Great Britain. England is first in world commerce so that all world affairs are her concern. Germany exists more and more by her world commerce and less by her home industries. However, trade figures do not make a world power. Germany yearns to reach the status of a world power. German trade competition in the world’s markets and its success is due to its pursuit of profit and not nationalism. Will nationalism move to the front burner in Germany?”
“Mon Dieu! Let us hope not.”
“Because of commercial rivalries abroad, British industry is at low ebb as far back as1879. Commission after commission has studied the problem and concluded that the trouble was German competition.” Let me try to answer your question in greater detail, Professor Yamarov. You see, only a small percentage of British foreign and colonial investment is placed in Europe. The remaining ninety-six percent is invested where, as I have said, it could not suffer from war. This is a most important point! However, Great Britain has an Achilles’ heel! If Germany strangles industry in Great Britain, it would be like killing the head of an octopus. The tentacles would eventually wither away. Napoleon understood this and sought ways of invading the British Isles. I fear that Germany may have the similar plans. Even if they cannot invade us physically, they can do so by forcing our iron and steel industries to close down. Iron and steel are the lifeblood of the British Isles!”
His colleagues yawned and grunted in agreement.
“Should iron and steel industry in the British Isles fail and the efforts of Germany to build the Baghdad Railroad succeed, all of our commercial efforts could fall like a house of cards!”
The Undersecretary lay back in his chair, his hands behind his head inquired, “Outside of war, what can we do?”
Lambner waved his finger and said, “We must know what Germany plans to do. If we listen carefully, we will hear them say that they need a union that would draw neighboring nations into a single economic group. It would help lessen the distrust of Germany’s neighbors by a great civilizing enterprise. It would be a huge customs union, supported by Kaiser Wilhelm, and would prove to the world that the foundation of the German Empire has been a necessity and could be a genuine benefit to Europe. Imagine German power in thirty years! If they could demonstrate that the concentration of national forces had made them capable of solving great problems of civilization, then, we could no longer accuse then if merely increasing armaments, universal military service and an elaborate militarism that is sucking the marrow from the bones of all nations today. Then, they will become the new world leader.”
“Isn’t that a bit too theoretical?” said Undersecretary Bacon.
"They believe that they could transform alliance treaties into an instrument to serve the interests of peace. Imagine, a customs organization open to all friendly nations. It is possible that states united by such a customs union could then readily enter into military conventions. France’s inclusion in the proposed customs union is a major objective of Germany.”
Everyone took a moment to allow Victor Entaille to fill their glasses with booze.
“Let me discuss for a moment,” continued Professor Lambner, “the economics of iron and steel, are the backbones of Britain, France, and Russia and, of course, Germany. In the last ten years, world steel production increased from fifty million tons annually to seventy five million tons. Guess which the European power leads in this. It is Germany! Pig iron, as you gentlemen know, is the first step in the making of steel. Mix coke with it and the miracle of steel occurs. Unfortunately, Great Britain’s pig iron output is only sixty percent of the German output. Our steel production is half that of the German.production! In 1875, Britain accounted for half of the world production of pig iron and forty percent of the world production of steel. By the new century, the British share of world production had fallen to thirty percent for pig iron and twenty-five percent for steel! Gentlemen, Britain’s iron and steel industry is on a downward spiral compared to Germany!”
Yamarov stood up and shook his head a half-dozen times to limber up his stiff neck muscles. “It is unimaginable that the greatest power on earth has fallen on such hard times!”
“But, by Heaven,” said the Scotsman, “British exports of steel and steel products rose twenty-five percent since the turn of the century. Hurrah! However, wait just one minute, dear friends. Germany’s export of the steel and steel products rose nearly seventy-seven percent! That, gentlemen, is an ominous sign, don’t you agree?”
Yamarov sipped his whisky. He pounded the table as he drank. “That is terrible news!”
“For years, our advantage over Europe,” said the Scotsman, with slightly slurred speech, “was that we possessed raw materials, production and transport far greater than most nations. It is now no longer sufficient to undersell continental iron makers at or near their own works.”
As Lambner seemed willing to continue on, Professor Entaille spoke up. “Pardonnez moi, mon ami, le professeur, mais je voudrais faire pisser!”
No one waited for a reply from the man from Edinburgh, but hurriedly left enmasse for the outdoor toilet. Farting sounds emitting from the loo, startled the farmwoman. “My Gawd!” she exclaimed. The Professor Entaille emerged, buttoning up his fly. Sensing the lady’s dismay, he said “Excusez-moi, madam!” She mumbled, “Damned Frogs! They are all alike!”
After a reasonable amount of conviviality, the group returned to the meeting room. They found several bottles of Scotch whisky on the table. The conference stalled until everyone filled their glasses and tasted the golden liquid. Lambner toasted the Triple Entente. Yamarov toasted the governments of England, France and Russia. Entaille slightly inebriated toasted the Follies Bergere. “Cheers!” said George Bacon. “Let us not lose our sense of purpose.”
A refreshed Lambner took up where he left off. “Now, let me take us back to the tariff problem. Germany turned to economic protectionism in 1879 because they claimed cheap imports threatened her industries and agricultural interests. The dirty little secret, known to all, is that the grain duties proved an important source of revenue to fill German coffers. Its government has encouraged the growth of gigantic industries devoted to the manufacture of iron and steel. Germany believes that anyone visiting the vast Krupp works of Essen would admit that no government would venture on a policy that interferes with the prosperity of such establishments. The acquisition of the Lorraine ores and iron works by the German victory over France in 1871, and the creation of the German Empire heralded a burst of industrial activity never before seen in Europe! They keep their works going at full capacity by underselling Britain’s home markets. Germany’s trade expansion was helped by its geographical proximity to developing markets in central Europe.”
The undersecretary asked, “What is behind Germany’s amazing success?”
The professor looked surprised at what he considered a stupid question. Then, he exclaimed forcefully, “Cartels! Hundreds of them formed a single syndicate. By George, the syndicate assists Germany in becoming a formidable a competitor in world export markets. Does the Undersecretary comprehend my meaning?”
Bacon shrugged his shoulders.
“A thoroughgoing regulation of German production and sales means that foreign competition in its home market is limited. Tariffs protect their entire iron and steel industry. Today, about three hundred cartels exist throughout German industry. They are a monopoly of great magnitude. For example, its iron and steel industry is one huge cartel. The working of the cartels requires an assessment of each company’s works, carried out by a team of experts. The country has a number of districts and a proportion of the anticipated demand for the product concern allotted to each for distribution among the local works. Orders go to a central office. The orders go to various firms according to the established capacity of each. Payment goes to the central office, which reimburses the firms. Prices are fixed by mutual agreement among firms or by the central office.”
“I am not surprised,” said Victor Entaille. “Those damned Boche are capable of every dirty trick in the book! They are a bunch of ‘Robber Barons’!”
Undersecretary Bacon blanched. “I say, that is certainly not cricket!”
Lambner disregarded the interruption. “I, along, with a delegation of British industrialists, recently visited six German steel works. Germany has a welfare scheme for its workers. Relations between management and workers appeared friendly. Working conditions are rather good. Strikes are almost unknown. Our delegation admired the splendid discipline maintained in the German works. Generally, we saw no slovenliness, undue haste, noises, and idling about. Most of the larger companies provided worker’s with insurance schemes for accident, sickness and pensions that helped produce a high degree of labor stability. Thus, workers feel secure in their jobs. I fear that the prevailing inferior quality in all our products is leading to a drastic reduction in manufacturer’s profit margin. We can no longer afford to neglect means by which we secure excellence of quality and economy of production. Free trade, though philosophically right for Britain, could mean that profit margins disappear and wages fall sharply. As it is, we British are committing economic suicide,”
“I can’t believe it,” said Leo.
“Yes, colleagues,” exclaimed Lambner enunciating each syllable, “ec-o-nom-ic suicide! Frankly, I do not see tariff protection as the nation’s salvation, but neither is free trade an unchallengeable dogma. Britain is engaged in a war, an industrial war, to be sure. It is a silent war fraught with immense significance for our nation’s destiny.”
For some reason, Professor Lambner began to sneeze violently. He held his handkerchief to his mouth for several minutes. As his colleagues looked on in astonishment, the sneezing ceased.
The Scotsman shook his head. “Please excuse me. Must have been some dust. Do you think the Kaiser Willy is listening to my diatribe?”
Everyone laughed at the jest.
“So long as Great Britain retains command of the sea, she is likely to be in a better position than any other country to secure foreign ore. It is not impossible that a great British iron industry could be built up and maintained on foreign shores alone.”
Undersecretary Bacon rubbed his chin and asked, “Is it possible that Germany will continue to supply us with iron and steel goods at a price below their costs of production?”
“No!” replied the Scotsman testily as though fed up with a stupid pupil, “When the time is right, German prices will skyrocket and we shall repent our folly too late and when we are at their mercy! Failing successful pressure for government action, the British industry could attempt to reach an agreement with its competitors, but the terms are the trouble; there is no sentiment in international trading, the weakest comes off the worst. Great Britain is the weakest, because we open our doors wide and ruin our home trade. Everyone then has the chance to dump their surplus products in Britain’s home market.”
Heads turned toward Leo Yamarov who shouted, “It is survival of the fittest! N’est-ce pas?”
“You may very well be correct, Professor Yamarov,” said Lambner, his speech more slurred. “Consequence of intermittent employment has caused deterioration in the physical condition of our workmen. Workmen begin to loaf and find it hard to get back in the harness at the employer’s beck and call. Large unemployment could lead to the spread of socialism or worse in Britain. By the way, Undersecretary Bacon, have you visited our industrial workers lately?”
George Bacon replied, “Yes, professor I have. I concluded that the boom in shipbuilding is extraordinary. New luxury ships are hitting the waves on a regular basis. Recently, our Admiralty has placed orders for three battleships. Shipbuilding is working at full capacity. Will this upsurge in production help solve the iron and steel problem?”
Lambner folded his arms. “Such ups and downs in an industry are common in today’s world. You see, Undersecretary, in spite of the shipbuilding spike, the expansion of British industry in general is small. Several blast furnaces have shut down. A respected iron merchant firm in Glasgow just failed. More are teetering on the economic edge between profit and loss. I recently compared the progress of the British and German industries and concluded that the latter’s progress had been purchased at a price and manner alien to British philosophy. That without the vast system of cartels, its almost military-like production and distribution methods, and the organized fostering of export trade by countries, the German iron and steel industries could hardly have obtained their present status. Germany is going ahead because her manufacturers and merchants organize while Britain is almost blindly standing still because her manufacturers and merchants are not organized. We have no overall national industrial policy.”
“Well, gentlemen,” said the Undersecretary, “I believe that this is a good time for us to enjoy a good, old English, country lunch. While doing so, you economists can express your succinct conclusions about today’s topics that I should bring back to Downing Street.”
The secretary of the meeting, Lawrence Courtney left the room while the group stood up for a well-deserved stretch. Upon his return, the woman farmer and two men carried trays of hot food and drink.
Bacon said a prayer taken from a harvest hymn, “…And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed and save us from all ills in this world and the next. Amen!”
After a half hour of enjoying their meal and bantering about mundane things, the Undersecretary asked for their economic opinions as far as the Triple Entente and Germany are concerned.
Professor Lambner wiped his lipped with his napkin and offered to speak first.
“Of course, my dear John,” said Undersecretary Bacon.
This time without the benefit of notes, Lambner carefully phrased his remarks. “If Germany continues to grow economically and siphons off our foreign commerce, we will become her commercial serfs. I might also add that down the line, the United States will become the leading economic star. I fear that Britain will slowly, but surely, lose many of its dominions and its economic power to the degree that it will become a second rate industrial nation. Britain must commit herself to a strong defense against German economic pressure. That could include war!”
For a moment, there was a general discussion of Lambner’s point of view.
“Victor,” said the Undersecretary, “What are your conclusions?”
Professor Entaille, passing his hand across his brow, said, “My firm conclusion today, mes amis, is that iron, steel, coal and chemicals are the driving forces in today’s economics. Tomorrow, oil will step into a position of worldwide dominance upon which all other industries will rely. Oil resources lie deep in wells not found in many parts of the British Empire. I foresee the oil wealthy nations such as those of the Middle East and the United States will control the direction of world economics. If France, Great Britain and Russia do not act quickly they will become subservient to the oil Powers. Germany has already made its move by beginning the construction of the Berlin-to-Baghdad railway. Kaiser Wilhelm’s trips to the Near East serve to be friend his nation with Arab countries. To date, France, Britain and Russia have not invested much capital in the project. However, I will say that France is now negotiating with Germany to gain a foothold in the railway. Economically, the Triple Entente that binds our three nations together could put a stranglehold on Germany’s cutthroat competition. If we fail, our three nations face a great depression! We must teach Germany a lesson by whatever means we possess. If it means war, then war it shall be!”
“Thank you, Victor. Jolly well put!”
The Undersecretary motioned to Professor Yamarov to share his thoughts with the group.
“Spahsseebah, dear gentlemen! I sincerely feel that Russia is the keystone of success the world over. We have only just begun to investigate our resources in every part of our widespread nation. Our Trans-Siberian railroad will allow us to bring raw materials to the hungry maws of our factories in days as opposed to the months it has taken. We need to seek more and more markets in Asia, Africa and North and South America. The Tsar, although a close relative to Kaiser Wilhelm, fears his Pan-German motives. We know that the Kaiser desires more Lebensraum and looks with a watering mouth eastward and, I suppose, eventually to Russia. If Germany can control markets maintaining its tariffs, Russia must look to France and Britain for protection against economic disaster. I submit that all of these economic issues we have discussed are not new. There is historical evidence that unfair economic practices existed since time immemorial. ‘There is no new thing under the sun!’ The Triple Entente is our strongest defense against German economic aggression.”
The Undersecretary stood up and thanked each participant. “I am certain that the Prime Minister will appreciate your economic thoughts. I will explain to him that Britain and its allies, France and Russia are engaged in an industrial war, silent and peaceful, fraught with immense significance for our nations’ destinies. He is planning a meeting with industrial leaders within a few days where he will certainly share your conclusions to the group.” Thank you and God bless you all!”
Before entering their waiting vehicles, several cigar-smoking members chatted while watching the tabby cat eagerly spraying a car tire. The Russian pointed to one windshield and exclaimed, “See, dear friends, a bird has shit on my automobile and the cat has pissed on the wheel! What more could happen to me? Is this perhaps an omen?”
Lawrence Courtney finished typing his notes of the meeting. He placed copies of the sheets into an attaché case. “All right Martin, give me your right arm.”
The courier extended his arm while Courtney chained the attaché case to his wrist.
“Your train leaves Victoria Station at nine o’clock tonight. You can catch the ferry at
Dover. It is a two-hour trip to Calais. An intelligence officer will meet you at the pier. He will share the code words with you. You will reply with your established response.”
“I am ready to leave sir. What is the Intelligence officer’s name?”
“Oberstleutnant Richard Hentsch.”
From Donald Britton Conrad, "In the Service of God and Evil."
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