The military ministers balk him.

I inquire through the back door and hear that the Admiralty and the War Office of course value American good-will, but they'll take their chances of a quarrel with the United States rather than let copper get to Germany.

The cabinet has violent disagreements.

But the military men yield as little as possible.

It was rumoured the other day that the Prime Minister threatened to resign; and I know that Kitchener's sister told her friends, with tears in her eyes, that the cabinet shamefully hindered her brother." These criticisms unquestionably caused Sir Edward great unhappiness, but this did not for a moment move him from his course.