How could Germany join a peace pact, and reduce its army, so long as 175,000,000 Slavs threatened them from this direction?
Another matter that the Kaiser discussed with derision was Mr.Bryan's arbitration treaty.

Practically all the great nations had already ratified this treaty except Germany.

The Kaiser now laughed at the treaties and pooh-poohed Bryan.

Germany, he declared, would never accept such an arbitration plan.

Colonel House had particular cause to remember this part of the conversation three years afterward, when the United States declared war on Germany.