At best--and even prudent Germany is getting to be convinced of this--war is only postponed and not abandoned.

Is such a postponement to our advantage?
They say we must wait for a better moment.

Wait for the deepening of the Kiel canal, for our navy laws to take full effect.

It is not exactly diplomatic to announce publicly to one's adversaries, 'To go to war now does not tempt us, but three years hence we shall let loose a world war'-- No; if a war is really planned, not a word of it must be spoken; one's designs must be enveloped in profound mystery; then brusquely, all of a sudden, jump on the enemy like a robber in the darkness." The heavy footed German had difficulty in moving with the stealth of a robber, but the policy here recommended was followed.
In 1914, the three years indicated by Wirth had expired.

There began to occur dark comings and goings; mysterious meetings and conferences on the continent of Europe.