He returned to the subject a few minutes later on, however.
"Of course," he pointed out, "my opinions can only come from a study of the newspapers and from conversations with such Germans as I have met out in Africa, but so far as her army is concerned, I should have said that Russia and France were responsible for that, and the more powerful it is, the less chance of any European conflagration.

Russia might at any time come to the conclusion that a war is her only salvation against a revolution, and you know the feeling in France about Alsace-Lorraine as well as I do.

The Germans themselves say that there is more interest in military matters and more progress being made in Russia to-day than ever before." "I have no doubt that you are right," agreed Mr.Mangan.

"It is a matter which is being a great deal discussed just now, however.

Let us speak of your personal plans.