May 11'th, 1912:
"...this new war is like a slow burning match that has been lit beneath Europe, and it will ignite a fire the likes of which this world has never before seen. It will not die until it has exhausted all available fuel; the anger of this continent's unheard, starving, and oppressed millions. However, the time is not yet ripe. We must wait until events have progressed still further. I am close to obtaining further funds. My contacts in Antwerp and Zurich can be trusted. The same cannot be said for your friends from Prague.
Have patience.
-Parvus"
For almost 40 straight hours, the docks at Maizuru Naval Base had been crawling with men and equipment, loading the enormous warships stationed there. Japan was going to war, and word was spreading through the surrounding towns and those with relatives in the military. At this point it was seen as unlikely that a blockade of the Russian Pacific Fleet could be sealed without a fight, and it was thought that Russian agents were probably already aware of Japan's decision to join the conflict.
In Paris, the mood was different. Germany's ambassador had just had lunch with Raymond Poincare, the French foreign minister, and had desperately attempted to convince him that the actions taken thus far were not intended in any way, shape, or form to threaten the French Republic. For all that, a tense mood had accompanied the proceedings from the start. Russia and France shared a close relationship, and although the conflict was one between Russia and Turkey, German naval intervention in it was still seen as a shadowy attempt to weaken France's strategic position. Firebrands in the German military seemed to view the situation through the same lens, and were pushing for complete mobilization and execution of the controversial Schlieffen Plan. However, an aging Schlieffen had emerged from retirement to vehemently oppose such action. For now, Germany and France were content to keep a watchful eye on one another across the Vosges...
"...this new war is like a slow burning match that has been lit beneath Europe, and it will ignite a fire the likes of which this world has never before seen. It will not die until it has exhausted all available fuel; the anger of this continent's unheard, starving, and oppressed millions. However, the time is not yet ripe. We must wait until events have progressed still further. I am close to obtaining further funds. My contacts in Antwerp and Zurich can be trusted. The same cannot be said for your friends from Prague.
Have patience.
-Parvus"
For almost 40 straight hours, the docks at Maizuru Naval Base had been crawling with men and equipment, loading the enormous warships stationed there. Japan was going to war, and word was spreading through the surrounding towns and those with relatives in the military. At this point it was seen as unlikely that a blockade of the Russian Pacific Fleet could be sealed without a fight, and it was thought that Russian agents were probably already aware of Japan's decision to join the conflict.
In Paris, the mood was different. Germany's ambassador had just had lunch with Raymond Poincare, the French foreign minister, and had desperately attempted to convince him that the actions taken thus far were not intended in any way, shape, or form to threaten the French Republic. For all that, a tense mood had accompanied the proceedings from the start. Russia and France shared a close relationship, and although the conflict was one between Russia and Turkey, German naval intervention in it was still seen as a shadowy attempt to weaken France's strategic position. Firebrands in the German military seemed to view the situation through the same lens, and were pushing for complete mobilization and execution of the controversial Schlieffen Plan. However, an aging Schlieffen had emerged from retirement to vehemently oppose such action. For now, Germany and France were content to keep a watchful eye on one another across the Vosges...