Part 17 (1/2)
The j.a.panese made no attempt to press his proposal.
Instead he plunged into a discussion of the intrigues which radiated from Berlin.
”In nearly all the international difficulties and disagreements of the last twenty years,” he said, ”it is possible to trace the evil influence of Germany.
”To German sympathy, a secret encouragement, was due the wanton invasion of Cape Colony by the Boers. To the Kaiser, and his promises of support, was due the hopeless defiance of the United States by Spain. The same Power tried to drag Great Britain into collision with your Republic over the miserable concerns of Venezuela. For years, Germany has been secretly egging on the French to raise troubles against the English in Egypt. In the same spirit, the Sultan has been abetted, first against England and next against Russia.
”All these schemes have been spoiled by the action of King Edward VII. in establis.h.i.+ng cordial relations with France, and even to a certain extent with Russia.
”Now Wilhelm II. has taken advantage of the attraction of France to England, to draw nearer to Russia. He has secured in his interest some of the most influential personages at the Russian Court. The Anglophobe grand dukes, the fire-eaters of the Admiralty, are all his sworn allies.
”But that is not the worst.
”By some means which I have not yet been able to trace, the Kaiser seems to have acquired a peculiar hold over Nicholas II.
”The whole policy of Russia seems to be tinged by this influence.
Even where the instigation of Germany is not directly apparent, yet in a hundred ways it is clear that the Russian Government is playing the German game. The cause of all this is a riddle, a riddle which it is for you to solve.”
”For me?”
The words escaped me involuntarily. I had listened with growing uneasiness to the Privy Councillor's revelations.
”Undoubtedly. You have facilities which no one else possesses. You enjoy the confidence of the Czar. You cannot be suspected of any selfish designs, still less of any hostile feeling against Wilhelm II., who is understood to be almost your personal friend.”
”I never allow personal friends.h.i.+ps to influence me in the discharge of my duty.”
”It is because I believe that, that I am talking to you like this,”
Mr. Katahas.h.i.+ responded quickly.
”Well!” he added after a short silence, ”what do you say?”
”I must have the night to decide.”
The j.a.panese Privy Councillor rose to say good-by.
After he had gone I sat up late into the night considering how far I could serve my employer in England by entering into the projects of the secret service of j.a.pan.
In the morning, I was still undecided, but on the whole it seemed to me that it would be better to act independently.
I was considering how to convey this decision to the Mikado's minister, when he again presented himself before me.
His manner was deeply agitated. It was evident that he came to make a communication of the highest importance.
Instead of taking the chair I offered him, he stood regarding me with an expression that seemed one of awe.
”Monsieur V----,” he said at length, ”your conditions are accepted by his imperial majesty.”