Chapter I: Foreword: To Part II

No further preface is needed for the present volume more than that prefixed to Part I of these “Diaries,” except a brief one of apology for the short period which has been allowed to elapse between the latest of the events recorded in it and their appearance, to-day in print. This has seemed a political necessity forced upon the Diarist by the ungenerous terms imposed by the allied Governments at Paris on their opponents vanquished in the war, terms which are still not definitely settled and against which it may be yet possible to appeal on grounds of truth and honour.

For the benefit of those who would follow the logic of events leading to the Great War of 1914, and especially to the war with Turkey and the declaration of a British Protectorate in Egypt, readers are invited to take notice of the Chronology printed as No. VIII of the Appendix. It has been carefully drawn up, and will be found of use to them in forming a correct historic judgment.

W. S. B.

NEWBUILDINGS PLACE, SUSSEX.

_Christmas_, 1919.

CONTENTS

PART II

1900 TO 1914

CHAPTER PAGE