The Austrian connection robbed Germany of the best and most promising prospects which alliance might have given her. In place of them, in fact, there was continually increasing tension with Russia and even Italy. In Rome feeling was universally proGerman, whilst, deep down in the heart of every single Italian, it was anti-Austrian and frequently burst out in a blaze.
In the modest company which I then frequented, I made no attempt to hide my conviction that that wretched treaty with a State doomed to destruction would lead to a catastrophic collapse of Germany, unless she managed to break loose from it while there was yet time. I never deviated for a moment from that conviction, firm as a rock, when the torrent of the World War appeared finally to have made reason¬ able reflection impossible, and the rush of enthusiasm carried along with it those highly placed ones, whose sole duty was cold consideration of realities. Even when I myself was at the front, whenever the problem was discussed I expressed my opinion that the quicker the alliance was broken off the better it would be for the German nation, and that to sacrifice the Habsburg Monarchy would be no sacrifice for Germany, if she could thereby reduce the number of her enemies, since the millions of steel helmets had not been assembled in order to maintain a decrepit dynasty, but to save the German nation.
Before the War it seemed at times as though there were signs that in one camp at least there was a slight doubt as to the correctness of the alliance policy which was being pursued. From time to time Conservative circles in Germany started to warn against too much trustfulness, but, like everything else that was reason¬ able, it was thrown to the winds. They were con¬ vinced that they were on the road to conquer the world, that success would be unlimited and that nothing would have to be sacrificed.