We then spoke of Sybel’s “Die deutsche Nation und das Kaiserreich” (The German Nation and the Empire), which he gave me; of Morier’s rude letter to Count Herbert, which was quite uncalled for, as there had been no charge made against that gentleman of having given direct information to Bazaine respecting the movements of the German troops; then of the wretched attitude of the German Liberal press, which in this--as in the Mackenzie, Geffcken, and other questions--took the side of every enemy of Germany and of German interests, whose hand was against him too; and finally about Samoa, in which connection the Chief censured the arbitrary conduct of the German Consul there. The conversation had lasted for about half an hour, and the Chancellor said as I was leaving that he would now try to get a little sleep. The article desired by him was written in the course of the following week, and was to appear in No. 8 of the _Grenzboten_ under the title “The Emperor Question and Geffcken’s Diary Extracts.” I, however, first submitted a proof to the Chancellor for revision, and he made a number of alterations which Rottenburg dictated to me in his bureau in order that I might reproduce them in my copy. Thereupon I despatched the latter to Grunow (Saturday, February 16th), but a few hours later Rottenburg, with whom I had dined at Professor Scheibler’s, came back there with a message from the Chief requesting me to telegraph that the article should be returned for the present. Even after it had been toned down it was too dangerous for publication. At noon on Sunday, the 17th of February, a Chancery attendant brought me a note from Rottenburg (begging me to call upon him at 3 o’clock at the Imperial Chancellerie. He had important instructions to give me). On my going to see him at 3 o’clock he told me that the Chief now wished to have the article printed, but with a further slight change. We therefore telegraphed to Grunow to forward me that evening the proofs I had sent him, which I would return to him immediately. They arrived at 10 o’clock, when I at once took them to Rottenburg. We then inserted the last alterations of the Chief, and sent back the proofs to Grunow in a registered letter so that the article should appear in No. 8. _Per tot discrimina rerum._ CHAPTER V