RECOVERED VIGOUR 251 



you can, with any hope of success, ask the great nations 

 of Europe to limit their means of defence you must 

 first alleviate any feeling of distrust which may prevail 

 among them. This, your Committee has been doing, 

 and I venture to express the hope that you will continue 

 in your efforts which are, at the same time, humanitarian 

 and useful, as every high-minded person in Germany 

 and in England will gratefully acknowledge. 



I have explained my views at greater length to Mr. 

 Fox to-day, and I feel sure that, in its present shape, 

 your admirably worded address of welcome will give, as 

 it is meant to give, much pleasure to the Emperor. — 

 Believe me, yours sincerely, P. Metternich. 



Lord Avebury felt that the point, thus in- 

 sisted on, must be yielded, but concedes it with 

 the final protest : 



6 St. James's Square, S.W., 

 November 2nd, 1907. 



Dear Count Metternich — Thanks for your letter. 

 I had hoped that at any rate Germany, France and 

 England might have come to some understanding as 

 to armaments. 



If the present gigantic expenditure continues your 

 manufacturers and ours will find it more and more 

 difficult to compete with those of the United States 

 and other less heavily burdened countries. 



I fully share your views of the importance of culti- 

 vating friendly feelings, but the increase of armaments 

 tends terribly in the opposite direction. 



However, or should I say moreover, I can imagine 

 no difference of opinion between our two countries 

 which may not be arranged by a little of that friendly 

 feeling which I hope and believe really exists on both 

 sides. — Believe me, yours very sincerely, Avebury. 



His Excellency, The German Ambassador. 



P.S. — I hope you will not think I am taking too 

 great a liberty in expressing my views but I have, as 

 you know, special opportunities of forming an opinion. 



