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"It is extremely hostile to England, and amounts, in fact, to a compact
on the part of France to declare war and seize the Suez Canal, as soon
as the first shot is fired between Great Britain and Russia. In return
for this, Russia is to invade Germany and Austria, destroy the eastern
frontier fortresses with her fleet of war-balloons, and then cross over
and do the same on the Rhine, while France at last throws herself upon
her ancient foe.
"Meanwhile, the French fleet is to concentrate in the Mediterranean as
quietly and rapidly as possible, before war actually breaks out, so as
to be able to hold the British and Italians in check, and shut the Suez
Canal, while Russia, who is pushing her troops forward to the Hindu
Kush, gets ready for a dash at the passes, and a rush upon Cashmere,
before Britain can get sufficient men out to India by the Cape to give
her very much trouble.
"As there also exists a secret compact between Britain and the Triple
Alliance, binding all four powers to declare war the moment one is
threatened, the disclosure of this treaty must infallibly lead to war in
a few weeks. In addition to this, measures have been taken to detach
Italy from the Triple Alliance at the last moment, if possible. Success
in this respect is, however, somewhat uncertain.
"To make assurance doubly sure, the Chief informs me that he has ordered
Ivan Brassoff, who is in command of a large reconnoitring party on the
Afghan side of the Hindu Kush, to provoke reprisals from a similar party
of Indian troops who have been told off to watch their movements.
Captain Brassoff is one of us, and can be depended upon to obey at all
costs. He will do this in a fortnight from now, and therefore we may
feel confident that Great Britain and Russia will be at war within a month.
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