BEKTHELOT 155 



Bourgeois Cabinet as Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres in 

 1895. He was always a friend of England, and by his 

 colleagues " was accused of having made too many con- 

 cessions to this country." This led to Berthelot's retire- 

 ment, as Baron de Mohrenheim of Eussia (that country 

 being France's ally) was dissatisfied with him. There was 

 no entente cordiale in those days, and Russia was jealous 

 of any concession made to England ! France's friends 

 abroad were uneasy on the subject of her foreign policy, as 

 she was caught coquetting with England and Italy, and 

 it was asked whether her policy had suddenly changed. 

 In those days Russian jealousy of England was every- 

 where visible, and every attempt was made by the Czar's 

 Government to thwart her policy. It is all changed now, 

 as Berthelot suggested, and England is on the best of 

 terms with France and Russia. 



Concerning the Boer War, the following details may 

 be of interest. It was stated that after sending the ever- 

 memorable telegram to Kruger in January 1896, the 

 German Emperor made overtures to France with a view 

 to assist the Transvaal, but the French Government 

 offered to support England if Germany intervened in 

 favour of the Boers. Having been asked whether the 

 above statements were true, Berthelot replied, on 21st 

 October 1899, as follows : 



I see no harm, no State secret at stake, to prevent me from answer- 

 ing your letter, or from authorizing you to publish this. While I was 



