Z.: I assure your Majesty, it requires urgent attention. The whole of Turkey is behind it, led by the few vested and private interests that remain. You remember my saying that as soon as the private interests are hit the Turks will murmur. KAISER: What hold have they on the public? Z.: According to Talaat, and privately confirmed, the wealthy classes are heading the general dissatisfaction at the famine prices and daily loss of territory. It is an ultimatum. KAISER: What course do you propose for extending the three months? Z.: I suggest the situation would concern the War Minister. KAISER (_ringing_, HINDENBURG _appears_): The day, my general, is nearer than we thought. Turkey pulls out in three months. How will the map lie then? H.: With Russia merely held, or, if necessary, by retiring to our system of railways and carrying on with smaller forces on our Eastern Front, we can intensify our shortened line in the West and hold it against all odds until the autumn. This is providing Holland remains neutral and the Turkish campaign is pushed. KAISER: What is your opinion of the news from Turkey? H.: Palestine and Syria will go during the summer. Possibly Russia will get astride the Baghdad Railway from their Eastern push. KAISER: Our connection to Constantinople? H.: We can keep open for three or four months, when the Western wastage will necessitate withdrawal of Mackensen's forces and further concentration. Say four months, providing Turkish wastages are replaced and she remains firm. KAISER _to_ Z.: To what extent can you trust Turkey for three months? Z.: If the line is not cut she can be kept in by our military dispositions, so my reports say. The Turkish forces are kept in the out-field and German troops are fought nearer to the Capital. Their staff is still wholly German, and reports give no ground for uneasiness, except, of course, non-military riots. In which case comes in our "Remedy" among the Ultimate Provisions drawn up by your Majesty. We can seize and garrison Stamboul within twenty-four hours. KAISER (_turning over papers_): Hindenburg, is your opinion still unaltered about our last stand there? Remember, it is of the greatest consequence to the whole issue. For how long can we hold Stamboul? H. (_drawing himself up proudly_): Your Majesty, our plans are perfect. On the dispositions made I will undertake to hold Constantinople behind the Tchataldja lines and a south trench for three years against the world. KAISER: There is nothing overlooked? (_Rings, and_ BETHMAN-HOLLWEG _appears_.) H.: Nothing. With our shore batteries we could outrange any gun ashore or afloat, and as a submarine base it would be excellent. Ammunition and food would last that time. KAISER (_dreamily_): Three years. It would astonish posterity. BETH.-HOLLWEG: Magnificent, my Emperor, but more than necessary. KAISER: You mean England would be sickened out long before then?