But this is too far in advance of events.

I have yet to tell of the stirring times of the winter of 1912.
The hard times at home had caused an immense decrease in consumption.
Labor, out of work, had no wages with which to buy.

The result was that the Plutocracy found a greater surplus than ever on its hands.

This surplus it was compelled to dispose of abroad, and, what of its colossal plans, it needed money.

Because of its strenuous efforts to dispose of the surplus in the world market, the Plutocracy clashed with Germany.
Economic clashes were usually succeeded by wars, and this particular clash was no exception.