Introduction--The Triple Alliance--Bismarck's dismissal--French colonial advance---Germany's demands for compensations--The Anglo-French agreement concerning Morocco--German objections--England and Russia--The Agadir incident--Anglo-French exchange of notes--Disputes in the Balkans--The 'Boulanger Law' of 1886--Count Caprivi's law of 1893--Franco-Russian _entente_--German military preparations--France's response--Russia's reorganization--England's Army and Navy. Note. _Abstract of Anglo-French Agreement on Morocco_. CHAPTER III THE DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN POLICY Estrangement of Russia and Germany--Austria and the Balkans--German penetration through the Balkans--Servia and Russia--Germany and the Slavs--Russia and England. CHAPTER IV CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF THE CRISIS OF 1914 Diary of the Events leading to the War. CHAPTER V NEGOTIATORS AND NEGOTIATIONS Dramatis personae. §1. _Germany's attitude to Russia and Austria_--Presentation of the Austrian Note to Servia--Germany shields Austria--Conduct of Germany considered--Sir Edward Grey proposes mediation, and then a Conference of Four Powers--Germany's objections to a 'Conference'--Direct conversations between the Powers--Austria invited to suspend military action--Mobilization; on whom does responsibility lie?--War inevitable. §2. _Germany's attitude to France_--Germany accuses France of military preparations--Germany invades France. §3. _The question of British neutrality_--Possibility of England being involved--Germany warned--German 'bid for British neutrality'--England's refusal--France agrees, and Germany refuses, to respect Belgian neutrality--Prince Lichnowsky and Sir Edward Grey--Neutrality of Luxemburg violated--Germany demands a free passage through Belgium--Sir Edward Grey protests--Belgium invaded--England's ultimatum--The Imperial Chancellor urges necessity of Germany's action. §4. _England and Servia_--Sir Edward Grey realizes Russia's interest in Servia--He is only concerned for the peace of Europe--He urges mediation--He proposes a Conference. §5. _Great Britain declines 'solidarity' with Russia and France_--Proposals by MM. Sazonof and Poincaré--England's refusal--Was it wise?--The Austrian _dossier_. §6. _Italy's comments on the situation_--Significance of Italy's position--Italy's endeavours to prevent war--Italy's declaration of neutrality. Note. Abstract of Austro-Hungarian note to Servia, and Servians reply. CHAPTER VI THE NEW GERMAN THEORY OF THE STATE The principles of _raison d'etat_ and the rule of law--Treitschke's teaching--The results of this philosophy--Contempt for public law--The glorification of war--The philosophy pagan--Its adoption by Prussian soldiers and Government--A plea for Prussia--England fights for law. EPILOGUE APPENDIXES I. THE GERMAN WHITE BOOK II. EXTRACTS FROM SIR EDWARD GREY'S CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE EUROPEAN CRISIS