The essential thing in dealing with Germany is to keep
cool, to promise nothing, to expect nothing, and not to be afraid of carrying out our own perfectly legitimate and peaceful policy for fear of offending her. Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency in certain quarters to talk and write as if we ought to refrain from showing our goodwill to our other neighbours lest Germany should be offended. Our policy in regard to France was dubbed perilous because it was disliked in Berlin, and now there is apparently anxiety about our coming to an understanding with Russia lest it should be resented or misunderstood by Germany. We do not, needless to say, want to enter upon any agreement with any Power which will be really injurious to Germany, or infringe in the very slightest degree her just rights ; but we must protest against the growth of a notion that to improve one's friendship with other Powers is an unfriendly act towards Germany. If we pay too much deference to German susceptibilities, this is what we shall come to. Depend upon it, the only safe course in regard to Germany is not to run away from her. As long as we make no attack upon her rights and inflict no injury upon her, we may improve our relations with other Powers with a clear conscience.
