For the past century she has ruled the world. Upon the fall of Napoleon
she seized the continental hegemony, and will fight to keep it. But
what does her energy amount to? . . . As our Bernhardi says, the English
people are merely a nation of renters and sportsmen. Their army is
formed from the dregs of the nation. The country lacks military spirit.
We are a people of warriors, and it will be an easy thing for us to
conquer the English, debilitated by a false conception of life."

The Doctor paused and then added: "We are counting on the internal
corruption of our enemies, on their lack of unity. God will aid us by
sowing confusion among these detested people. In a few days you will see
His hand. Revolution is going to break out in France at the same time
as war. The people of Paris will build barricades in the streets and
the scenes of the Commune will repeat themselves. Tunis, Algiers and all
their other possessions are about to rise against the metropolis."

Argensola seized the opportunity to smile with an aggressive
incredulity.

"I repeat it," insisted Hartrott, "that this country is going to have
internal revolution and colonial insurrection. I know perfectly
well what I am talking about. . . . Russia also will break out into
revolution with a red flag that will force the Czar to beg for mercy on
his knees. You have only to read in the papers of the recent strikes
in Saint Petersburg, and the manifestations of the strikers with the
pretext of President Poincare's visit. . . . England will see her
appeals to her colonies completely ignored. India is going to rise
against her, and Egypt, too, will seize this opportunity for her
emancipation."