The Imperial Chancellor's second speech in the Reichstag was at
once far more impressive and effective than the first. He dealt with remarkable force, and even passion, with Herr von Heydebrand's inflammatory speech. He deeply regretted that their dealings with a foreign State, with whom they stood in normal relations, had been discussed from an electioneering standpoint. " The strong man need not always carry his sword "—here the Chancellor paused and, turning to Herr von Heydebrand, added slowly," in his mouth." He repeated that in their relationship with England he had yielded nothing of the honour of the nation to which he was permitted to belong. But other forces, continued the Chancellor, were at work— forces which had more to do with the impending elections than with Morocco and the Congo. " To bring national passions to boiling-point for the sake of Utopian schemes of conquest and for party purposes—that is to compromise patriotism and to squander a precious treasure." Whatever may be Herr von Bethmann Hollweg's official future, nothing can efface the effect of this outspoken trouncing of Jingoism. The tone of his references to England was not only dignified but marked by excellent feeling. Yet how are we to reconcile his words with the sending of the ' Panther' to Agadir and the dangerous and provocative tone given to the negotiations with France ? Though one desires to sympathize with the Chancellor, one can- not forget history only three months old. If he was always of this frame of mind, who instructed the German Embassy in London during July, August, and September ?
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