In attempting to write a history of contemporary affairs, I regard it as essential to refer to the original authority, or authorities, in the case of every important statement. I have sought to carry out this rule (though at the cost of great additional toil) because it enables the reader to check the accuracy of the narrative and to gain hints for further reading. To compile bibliographies, where many new books are coming out every year, is a useless task; but exact references to the sources of information never lose their value.
My thanks are due to many who have helped me in this undertaking. Among them I may name Sir Charles Dilke, M.P., Mr. James Bryce, M.P., and Mr. Chedo Mijatovich, who have given me valuable advice on special topics. My obligations are also due to a subject of the Czar, who has placed his knowledge at my service, but for obvious reasons does not wish his name to be known. Mr. Bernard Pares, M.A., of the University of Liverpool, has very kindly read over the proofs of the early chapters, and has offered most helpful suggestions. Messrs. G. Bell and Sons have granted me permission to make use of the plans of the chief battles of the Franco-German War from Mr. Hooper's work, _Sedan and the Downfall of the Second Empire_, published by them. To Mr. H.W. Wilson, author of _Ironclads in Action_, my thanks are also due for permission to make use of the plan illustrating the fighting at Alexandria in 1882.
CHAPTER I THE CAUSES OF THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR.
CHAPTER IV THE FOUNDING OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
CHAPTER V THE FOUNDING OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC--_continued_
CHAPTER XI NIHILISM AND ABSOLUTISM IN RUSSIA
CHAPTER XII THE TRIPLE AND DUAL ALLIANCES
CHAPTER XIV THE AFGHAN AND TURKOMAN CAMPAIGNS
CHAPTER XXI THE NEW GROUPING OF THE GREAT POWERS (1900-1907)
CHAPTER XXII TEUTON _versus_ SLAV (1908-13)
Sketch Map of the District between Metz and the Rhine
Plan of the Battles of Rezonville and Gravelotte
Map of the Treaties of Berlin and San Stefano
Battle of Alexandria (Bombardment of, 1882)
"The movements in the masses of European peoples are divided and slow, and their progress interrupted and impeded, because they are such great and unequally formed masses; but the preparation for the future is widely diffused, and . . . the promises of the age are so great that even the most faint-hearted rouse themselves to the belief that a time has arrived in which it is a privilege to live."--GERVINUS, 1853.