is the only power that would. Germany would accuse us of scheming
to destroy the value of their blessed Baghdad railway."

A privy councilor of England, which Monty was, is not necessarily
in touch with politics of any sort. Neither were we; but it happened
that more than once in our wanderings about the world things had been
forced on our attention.

"They would rather see Europe burn from end to end!" Monty agreed.

"And I think there's more than that in it," said the consul. "Armenians
are not their favorites. The Germans want the trade of the Levant.
The Armenians are business men. They're shrewder than Jews and more
dependable than Greeks. It would suit Germany very nicely, I imagine,
to have no Armenians to compete with."

"But if Germany once got control of the Near East," I objected, "she
could impose her own restrictions."

The consul frowned. "Armenians who thrive in spite of Turks--"

"Would skin a German for hide and tallow," nodded Will.

"Exactly. Germany would object vigorously if we or the States should
land marines to prevent the Turks from applying the favorite remedy,
vukuart -that means events, you know--their euphemism for massacre
at rather frequent intervals. Germany would rather see the Turks
finish the dirty work thoroughly than have it to do herself later on."

"You mean," said I, "that the German government is inciting to massacre?"