‘That is always understood, where I am concerned. A man who desires
to be trusted must begin by establishing a reputation for secrecy.’
Kehler contented himself with this assurance, dry as it was.
‘I thank you, Monsieur V----. Your reputation is so well established
that I had no intention except to ask whether you were willing to
receive the proposals I have come to make?’
‘Proceed, Herr Kehler, if you will be so good.’
‘You have learnt, no doubt, that the Spanish Government has made up
its mind to concede the terms demanded on behalf of the Cubans by the
United States?’
Although I was not aware that things had reached this point, I did
not allow Kehler to see that he had given me any information.
‘By this act,’ he continued, ‘the Americans have, in fact, declared
that no European Power has any right to enter their hemisphere
without their permission.’
‘All that is well known, Herr Kehler.’
‘The question then arises whether the European Powers will allow
themselves to be driven out, one by one, or whether, by a bold
combination, they will reduce the United States to some respect for
the law of nations.’
‘Such a combination would be inopportune at this moment, because the
British would stand aloof.’
‘Because they look upon the struggle as one between Spaniard and
Cuban,’ Kehler rejoined quickly. ‘But let us suppose there to be a
war, in which the United States was engaged against Spain?’
‘You have just said there will be no such war.’
‘A war is always possible, provided those interested in bringing it
about are not too scrupulous.’
This sinister language at length convinced me that the Bavarian had
not come to see me for nothing. I decided to draw him out.
‘Provided such a war actually commenced, I agree that some
combination on behalf of Spain might be possible,’ I murmured,
as though reviewing the situation in my mind. ‘But where is the
Government sufficiently in earnest to undertake so terrible a
responsibility?’
‘It is that Government,’ Kehler responded, ‘which sees its subjects
departing in greater numbers every year, but which looks around in
vain for some unoccupied region towards which to direct the stream of
emigration.’
‘You mean Germany?’
‘We look around us,’ he continued, scarcely noticing my interruption,
‘and we see all the continents staked out in advance by other Powers:
Asia by England and Russia, Africa by England and France, North
America by England and the United States, Australia by England
alone. There remains only South America, in the possession of weak
Latin races, unable to make use of their advantages, but who are
protected in their decay by the bullies of Washington.’
‘A war in which the United States found itself fully occupied would
be a fine opportunity for the German Michael to plant his standard in
Brazil or the Argentine, I understand.’
Kehler looked at me earnestly.
‘The man who undertook the task of making such a war inevitable,
without compromising exalted personages, would be no loser,’ he
remarked significantly.