INTERNATIONAL GLIMPSES 325 



As to foreign relations, suffice it to quote a few passages 

 which have a curious bearing on the clash of arms to-day. 

 One dates from November 1893, when the omens were unpeace- 

 ful and pointed to a coming struggle for the dominion of the 

 Mediterranean : 



To W. E. Darwin 



Nov. 9, 1893. 



I am dreamer enough to look for a time when America 

 will forbid a European war ! What a splendid role this would 

 be for a nation to undertake to send us all to our tents and 

 tell us that we may snarl at one another in the length and 

 breadth of Europe as much as we please, but nothing more, 

 and that if we go further she will intervene. 



To Ayerst Hooker 



April 27, 1890. 



[Apropos of the Stanley reception at the Albert Hall. The 

 impending partition of Africa into rival Colonies and spheres 

 of influence boded no good to peace.] 



I see much humiliation in store for us in Africa, and with 

 I fear far more evil results than the Soudan or Transvaal. 



Bismark was not the only man of blood and iron in Ger- 

 many ; the whole of Prussia breathes arrogance, and this 

 chirruppy young Emperor will soon be the tool of faction. 

 He evidently has no conception of the difficulties and dangers 

 of his position. 



June 30, 1895. 



What did you think of the pacific character of the Kiel 

 gathering ? Seventeen nations, each with a loaded and 

 cocked 6-shooter, calling themselves joint ' harbingers ot 

 peace ! ! ! ' the irony of the situation is lovely. 



To W. E. Darwin 



Jan. 8, 1896. 



[The Venezuelan affair and the Armenian massacres threat- 

 ened warlike complications.] 



What an imbroglio we have been forced into ; and what 

 an ass the German Emperor is. We should lose less and 



