In this Edition are included three new chapters (Nos.

XXI.-XXIII.), in which I seek to describe the most important and best-ascertained facts of the period 1900-14.

Necessarily, the narrative is tentative at many points; and it is impossible to attain impartiality; but I have sought to view events from the German as well as the British standpoint, and to sum up the evidence fairly.

The addition of these chapters has necessitated the omission of the former Epilogue and Appendices.

I regret the sacrifice of the Epilogue, for it emphasised two important considerations, (1) the tendency of British foreign policy towards undue complaisance, which by other Powers is often interpreted as weakness; (2) the danger arising from the keen competition in armaments.