Such seems
to be the fate of all nations that acquire sudden power--they get
conceited and aggressive.
The political events of the last ten years prove sufficiently the
aggressiveness of the German policy--the events at Agadir, the
annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria, the ultimatum sent by
the latter to Servia are only passing instances in the growing conceit
of the German policy. It should be remembered that in March, 1909,
Chancellor von Buelow announced to the German Reichstag that Germany
would support Austria in her annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by
force, even if the whole of Europe were to oppose it.
Europe at that time did not oppose the Germans, but it seems to me that
just then Europe began to realize how dangerous and unsafe it was to
have in the heart of that Continent a power with such bellicose and
driving intentions. Her political acts were too uncanny and alarmed the
whole of Europe, which began to seek ways and means to get rid of this
German hegemony, coupled with its rough militarism and unscrupulous ways
of acting.
The military and economical developments of Germany induced her to go
further in her tendency to enlarge her territory. Emperor William feels
that his empire is not big enough to suit his ambition and for the part
which he intends to play in Europe.
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