Wilhelm, backed by Fritz Holstein in the German Foreign Office, who was so concerned by the British response he thought England might fall into the arms of France, immediately embarked on a charm offensive to re-endear himself to the British. Before the end of January Hatzfeldt had offered Salisbury a formal alliance, which the prime minister as usual politely turned down. In February, when the queen's son-in-law Henry of Battenberg died of malaria in the Ashanti wars, the kaiser sent a huge deputation to the funeral. When Colonel Swaine, the British military attache, retired that month, Wilhelm loaded him with lavish decorations and p.r.o.nounced him a personal friend. In March, unable to restrain the familiar impulse to make anxious those whose intimacy he wanted, he told Sir Francis Lascelles, the new British amba.s.sador, that despite his appalling treatment by the British press, he had to let England know that the Russians wanted "to destroy England,"69 and annex the Balkans, while France was planning to sabotage the Suez Ca.n.a.l route to India. (As it happened, the Russians had been and annex the Balkans, while France was planning to sabotage the Suez Ca.n.a.l route to India. (As it happened, the Russians had been70 encouraging the French to cause trouble for the British in Africa, and had invited the Germans to support them.) These plans, he insisted, had been sanctioned by encouraging the French to cause trouble for the British in Africa, and had invited the Germans to support them.) These plans, he insisted, had been sanctioned by71 Nicholas himself. The intervention backfired. Hatzfeldt reported dejectedly that Lord Salisbury had been "literally horrified" Nicholas himself. The intervention backfired. Hatzfeldt reported dejectedly that Lord Salisbury had been "literally horrified"72 by the kaiser's warning, having only just begun to relax again in their meetings. by the kaiser's warning, having only just begun to relax again in their meetings.

Nor were the English relatives placated. In April, at a family wedding in Coburg,* George informed Wilhelm that he would not be welcome at Cowes that year. Wilhelm, he reported to Nicholas, "seemed more excitable George informed Wilhelm that he would not be welcome at Cowes that year. Wilhelm, he reported to Nicholas, "seemed more excitable73 than ever, he hardly spoke to me at all which was a good thing." As for the British public, Hatzfeldt advised the kaiser that if he came to England that year he'd certainly be booed. than ever, he hardly spoke to me at all which was a good thing." As for the British public, Hatzfeldt advised the kaiser that if he came to England that year he'd certainly be booed.74 The rebuffs only caused Wilhelm to redouble his efforts. In August he invited the entire British emba.s.sy staff to dinner, receiving them in his Royal Dragoons outfit. In the autumn he made the extraordinary suggestion to Lascelles that he might hand over Germany's African colonies to Britain in return for compensation The rebuffs only caused Wilhelm to redouble his efforts. In August he invited the entire British emba.s.sy staff to dinner, receiving them in his Royal Dragoons outfit. In the autumn he made the extraordinary suggestion to Lascelles that he might hand over Germany's African colonies to Britain in return for compensation75-an idea that, had it known about it, would have had the German Right baying for his blood.

The bizarre thing was that in Germany-and indeed across Europe-the Kruger telegram had brought Wilhelm the thing he wanted most: wild approval. The raid had prompted a wave of intense anti-British feeling in Germany, much of it focused on Queen Victoria, the symbol of the British empire. One British journalist reported an elderly German lady telling him what a shame it was that the queen "should be so unworthy a sovereign." She was well known to be "perpetually tipsy and to drink whisky out of a teapot."76 Among themselves senior Prussian diplomats referred to her as the kaiser's "tippling grandmother" Among themselves senior Prussian diplomats referred to her as the kaiser's "tippling grandmother"77 and "the hucksteress." Wilhelm was seen as having stood up to bullying, hypocritical Britain and supported the plucky Boers. Yet he barely seemed to notice. A couple of years before, Waldersee had observed crossly that the British had worked out exactly how to manipulate the kaiser-they had only to treat him badly. and "the hucksteress." Wilhelm was seen as having stood up to bullying, hypocritical Britain and supported the plucky Boers. Yet he barely seemed to notice. A couple of years before, Waldersee had observed crossly that the British had worked out exactly how to manipulate the kaiser-they had only to treat him badly.78 ***

Despite no tangible signs of a change of Russian policy towards Britain, Queen Victoria persisted in believing that she could win over the tsar. Like Wilhelm, who had learned the lesson from Vicky, she was committed to the idea that personal relationships could supersede or guide foreign affairs. Her favourite granddaughter was tsarina, and she'd decided that gentle, charming Nicholas was part of the family-even though in April 1896 she discovered that Russia had been doing its own intriguing against Britain in Africa, egging on the French to cause trouble over Egypt.

As if to punch home the message that nothing had changed in Russia, Nicholas's coronation in May 1896 was overshadowed by the kind of awful human disaster that seemed to dog Russian affairs. George had expected to attend the ceremony, but the queen sent his uncle Arthur instead. "I must say79 I was furious," he told Nicky, "but there was nothing to be done." It was just as well. On the day after the coronation the tsar traditionally gave the people of Moscow an open-air feast at Khodynka field north of the city. In the midst of the festivities there was a rumour that the food was running out, the crowd of half a million people stampeded and thousands were crushed to death. The tsar's uncle and brother-in-law, Grand Duke Sergei, was largely responsible for the disaster. He'd neglected the preparations, more interested in pursuing a feud with another court official whose authority over the event clashed with his. Basic work to fill in deep wells in the ground was not completed, there was a derisory police presence and chaos ensued. The severity of the disaster seemed initially to have been hidden from Nicholas-at Windsor it was said I was furious," he told Nicky, "but there was nothing to be done." It was just as well. On the day after the coronation the tsar traditionally gave the people of Moscow an open-air feast at Khodynka field north of the city. In the midst of the festivities there was a rumour that the food was running out, the crowd of half a million people stampeded and thousands were crushed to death. The tsar's uncle and brother-in-law, Grand Duke Sergei, was largely responsible for the disaster. He'd neglected the preparations, more interested in pursuing a feud with another court official whose authority over the event clashed with his. Basic work to fill in deep wells in the ground was not completed, there was a derisory police presence and chaos ensued. The severity of the disaster seemed initially to have been hidden from Nicholas-at Windsor it was said80 that bodies had been shovelled under the grandstand on which he stood, so he could not see them. But even afterwards he never quite seemed to grasp its significance. On the night of the disaster he went to a ball at the French emba.s.sy, rather than staying home as a mark of respect to the dead. The picture of the tsar drinking champagne while his subjects mourned was a lasting stain on his personal image. By contrast, Queen Victoria received seventeen on-the-spot reports from Khodynka field, describing in detail that bodies had been shovelled under the grandstand on which he stood, so he could not see them. But even afterwards he never quite seemed to grasp its significance. On the night of the disaster he went to a ball at the French emba.s.sy, rather than staying home as a mark of respect to the dead. The picture of the tsar drinking champagne while his subjects mourned was a lasting stain on his personal image. By contrast, Queen Victoria received seventeen on-the-spot reports from Khodynka field, describing in detail81 the circ.u.mstances of the stampede, the thousands of mangled bodies laid out across the other side of the vast field, and the anger and demands for retribution it had inspired. Worse, Nicholas failed to punish anyone. It was widely agreed within the imperial court that Grand Duke Sergei, who towered over his small, quiet nephew, had bullied him into closing down an inquiry into the disaster by threatening to boycott the court. He was rewarded by being promoted to commander-in-chief of Moscow. Even within the Romanov family there were mutterings. "How outrageous can the circ.u.mstances of the stampede, the thousands of mangled bodies laid out across the other side of the vast field, and the anger and demands for retribution it had inspired. Worse, Nicholas failed to punish anyone. It was widely agreed within the imperial court that Grand Duke Sergei, who towered over his small, quiet nephew, had bullied him into closing down an inquiry into the disaster by threatening to boycott the court. He was rewarded by being promoted to commander-in-chief of Moscow. Even within the Romanov family there were mutterings. "How outrageous can82 you get!" Konstantin Romanov, Nicholas's second cousin, wrote of Sergei in his diary. "... If only the Emperor was sterner and stronger!" The government looked supine and corrupt, and Nicholas appeared weak. Khodynka field cast a long, inauspicious shadow over the new reign. you get!" Konstantin Romanov, Nicholas's second cousin, wrote of Sergei in his diary. "... If only the Emperor was sterner and stronger!" The government looked supine and corrupt, and Nicholas appeared weak. Khodynka field cast a long, inauspicious shadow over the new reign.

In Windsor, the queen's sympathies were clannishly with her new in-laws and fellow royals. Her first thought had been that "poor Serge," who was married to Alix's older sister Ella, "may be blamed."83 Her next was concern for the imperial couple, who the British amba.s.sador a.s.sured her had done "violence to their Her next was concern for the imperial couple, who the British amba.s.sador a.s.sured her had done "violence to their84 feelings" in attending the French ball while their subjects lay dead and injured. The queen would never have expressed such sympathy for Nicholas's father-she would have complained about Russian barbarity. While Wilhelm tried in vain to get himself invited to Cowes, Nicholas and Alexandra were asked to Balmoral for the end of September. feelings" in attending the French ball while their subjects lay dead and injured. The queen would never have expressed such sympathy for Nicholas's father-she would have complained about Russian barbarity. While Wilhelm tried in vain to get himself invited to Cowes, Nicholas and Alexandra were asked to Balmoral for the end of September.

Balmoral was the large, remote estate in the Scottish Highlands where the queen pa.s.sed the months from August to November. She loved it and felt free there. She loved it so much in fact, that she had decided that she was was Scottish. As she crossed the border her voice would take on a peculiar approximation of a Scottish accent, Scottish. As she crossed the border her voice would take on a peculiar approximation of a Scottish accent,85 and she'd talk about handing over "woon poond" to some deserving crofter. Everyone else found Balmoral dispiritingly remote, incredibly dull, freezing cold-the queen never and she'd talk about handing over "woon poond" to some deserving crofter. Everyone else found Balmoral dispiritingly remote, incredibly dull, freezing cold-the queen never45 felt the cold and forbade fires-and full of tartan. Lord Rosebery said felt the cold and forbade fires-and full of tartan. Lord Rosebery said86 he thought the drawing room at Osborne was the ugliest room in the world-until he saw the drawing room at Balmoral. Salisbury referred to it as "Siberia," he thought the drawing room at Osborne was the ugliest room in the world-until he saw the drawing room at Balmoral. Salisbury referred to it as "Siberia,"87 and came as rarely as possible. and came as rarely as possible.

On 22 September 1896 the imperial couple and their baby, Olga-along with an entourage of several hundred, including their plainclothes secret servicemen, plus twenty-four constables and four sergeants from the Metropolitan Police-arrived sodden, having driven through Edinburgh in an open carriage in the pouring rain, and nauseous from having been violently rocked about in the royal train. They were greeted with bonfires and torches. The queen was enthusiastic. Edward wore a Russian uniform-astrakhan hat, knickerbockers, Norfolk jacket, red greatcoat. He never looked his best in uniform, as it was invariably too tight. George wore a kilt. "She is marvellously88 kind and amiable to us, and so delighted to see our little daughter!" Nicky told his mother. "Dear Nicky and Alicky kind and amiable to us, and so delighted to see our little daughter!" Nicky told his mother. "Dear Nicky and Alicky89 are quite unspoilt and unchanged and as dear and simple and as kind as ever. He is looking rather thin and pale and careworn, but sweet Alicky is in great beauty and very blooming," the queen wrote to Vicky. are quite unspoilt and unchanged and as dear and simple and as kind as ever. He is looking rather thin and pale and careworn, but sweet Alicky is in great beauty and very blooming," the queen wrote to Vicky.

The queen's household called the visit "the Russian occupation," because the tsar's retinue was so enormous; the Balmoral maids had to sleep four to a bed. George and May were boarded out up the road. Nicholas, the household observed, looked absurdly young, but Alicky was "unmistakably lovely ... one is always in rapture with her." Both seemed initially a little aloof. Edward had made zealous preparations to entertain his nephew, and was relentlessly "jolly."90 Nicholas, as he had before, found Edward rather exhausting. "From the very first day my Uncles took charge of me. They seem to think it necessary to take me out shooting all day long with the gentlemen. The weather is awful, rain and wind every day and on top of it no luck at all-I haven't killed a stag yet. I see even less of Alix here than at home." The tsarina was swept off by the queen's ladies-in-waiting and given the kind of unadulteratedly enthusiastic welcome she rarely got in Russia. Nicholas was relieved when Bertie went to Newmarket to see a horse race. "I could at least do what I wanted to, and was Nicholas, as he had before, found Edward rather exhausting. "From the very first day my Uncles took charge of me. They seem to think it necessary to take me out shooting all day long with the gentlemen. The weather is awful, rain and wind every day and on top of it no luck at all-I haven't killed a stag yet. I see even less of Alix here than at home." The tsarina was swept off by the queen's ladies-in-waiting and given the kind of unadulteratedly enthusiastic welcome she rarely got in Russia. Nicholas was relieved when Bertie went to Newmarket to see a horse race. "I could at least do what I wanted to, and was not not obliged to go out shooting every day in the cold and rain." obliged to go out shooting every day in the cold and rain."91 "I'm glad "I'm glad92 Georgie comes out to shoot too-we can at least talk over the good times we've just had in Denmark." Georgie comes out to shoot too-we can at least talk over the good times we've just had in Denmark."*

"Had a talk93 with dear Nicky," was as expansive as George got. "He is just the same dear boy as he always was." In his way George was right, Nicky wanted to be the same dear boy and with George he could be. George had no interest in talking politics and required nothing of him except that he was familiar. with dear Nicky," was as expansive as George got. "He is just the same dear boy as he always was." In his way George was right, Nicky wanted to be the same dear boy and with George he could be. George had no interest in talking politics and required nothing of him except that he was familiar.

The queen saw things differently. Family bonds should be put to practical use. She went to work on the tsar the day after he arrived. Something must be done about the disintegration of Turkey and the Armenian ma.s.sacres, she announced. "I remarked that,94 if England and Russia went together, there must be peace, and something ought to be done to bring this about." Nicky nodded, as he did when cornered, but said it would be difficult. "The Emperor is if England and Russia went together, there must be peace, and something ought to be done to bring this about." Nicky nodded, as he did when cornered, but said it would be difficult. "The Emperor is95 extremely well-disposed and is anxious to put a stop to the Sultan's iniquities," she told Lord Salisbury, who arrived the next day. extremely well-disposed and is anxious to put a stop to the Sultan's iniquities," she told Lord Salisbury, who arrived the next day.

After years of backing Turkey, which he now considered to have been "the wrong horse," Salisbury had come to the conclusion, just like Rosebery before him, that an accommodation with Russia had much to recommend it-though almost all his fellow ministers thought the likelihood of Russia agreeing vanishingly remote, and the country still hated Russia. But with the Suez Ca.n.a.l under its control, Britain no longer had a pressing need to keep Russia out of Turkey. In fact, the Royal Navy had recently concluded it no longer had the capacity to defend Constantinople from Russia, a prospect Salisbury seems to have accepted but didn't relish. He also believed the Russians might be persuaded to work with Britain to force a settlement or resolution on the Ottoman empire, perhaps even a change of regime, before its much prophesied collapse caused further international instability. The prime minister was sufficiently keen on the idea to make one of his rare visits to Balmoral in order to see the tsar personally-though he also instructed his private secretary to inform the queen's private secretary that it would be actively dangerous for him to come, unless his room was heated to a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. An added bonus was the fact that Nicholas's tricky foreign minister, Lobanov, had suddenly died of apoplexy in August as the imperial cortege had set out on a visit to Austria-so the tsar would be all on his own.

"I had two96 very serious talks with [Lord Salisbury]," Nicholas reported to his mother. "It's good at least for him to learn from the source what the opinions and views of Russia are." The source, however, didn't always seem entirely clear on those opinions. The first meeting went well enough. The tsar a.s.sured the PM that Russia had no designs on India-his own visit in 1891 had convinced him of "the absurdity of Russia ever trying to obtain it ... no sane Russian Emperor could ever dream of it." Salisbury suggested that Russia and Britain should act together to stabilize the Ottoman empire. There had been another ma.s.sacre in Armenia several weeks before, and Salisbury told the tsar that pet.i.tions and letters demanding some form of action had been pouring into the British Foreign Office. There was a certain irony in the prime minister referring to public opinion since he despised it, though the demands coincided with his own pragmatic belief that Turkey needed to be brought under control. There was another irony in his appealing to Russia on moral and humanitarian grounds-a country which had authorized its own pogroms and ruthlessly suppressed basic democratic rights. Nicholas didn't seem at all averse to putting pressure on the sultan, and he became positively animated when Salisbury suggested that Britain would no longer object to Russia taking control of Constantinople and the Bosphorus, though he didn't like the idea of opening it to all ships, as this created the possibility of foreign warships getting into the Black Sea, not just the Russian fleet getting out. The Straits to the Black Sea, he told the prime minister, were "the door to the room in which he lived," and he needed the key-a phrase that had become a cliche in Russia when discussing Constantinople. When Salisbury pointed out that Austria and the Balkan states might feel rather differently about this, and would have to be compensated, Nicholas seemed surprised. The prime minister must have been taken aback by his naivete. very serious talks with [Lord Salisbury]," Nicholas reported to his mother. "It's good at least for him to learn from the source what the opinions and views of Russia are." The source, however, didn't always seem entirely clear on those opinions. The first meeting went well enough. The tsar a.s.sured the PM that Russia had no designs on India-his own visit in 1891 had convinced him of "the absurdity of Russia ever trying to obtain it ... no sane Russian Emperor could ever dream of it." Salisbury suggested that Russia and Britain should act together to stabilize the Ottoman empire. There had been another ma.s.sacre in Armenia several weeks before, and Salisbury told the tsar that pet.i.tions and letters demanding some form of action had been pouring into the British Foreign Office. There was a certain irony in the prime minister referring to public opinion since he despised it, though the demands coincided with his own pragmatic belief that Turkey needed to be brought under control. There was another irony in his appealing to Russia on moral and humanitarian grounds-a country which had authorized its own pogroms and ruthlessly suppressed basic democratic rights. Nicholas didn't seem at all averse to putting pressure on the sultan, and he became positively animated when Salisbury suggested that Britain would no longer object to Russia taking control of Constantinople and the Bosphorus, though he didn't like the idea of opening it to all ships, as this created the possibility of foreign warships getting into the Black Sea, not just the Russian fleet getting out. The Straits to the Black Sea, he told the prime minister, were "the door to the room in which he lived," and he needed the key-a phrase that had become a cliche in Russia when discussing Constantinople. When Salisbury pointed out that Austria and the Balkan states might feel rather differently about this, and would have to be compensated, Nicholas seemed surprised. The prime minister must have been taken aback by his naivete.

The tsar, Salisbury observed, also "expressed himself in terms by no means friendly to the Emperor of Germany."97 Two weeks before, Nicholas had made an overnight stop with Wilhelm at Breslau. "I am extremely Two weeks before, Nicholas had made an overnight stop with Wilhelm at Breslau. "I am extremely98 satisfied with my interview with Emperor Nicholas," Wilhelm had purred after the meeting. "He was natural, open, communicative and heartfelt as he has always been with me. We completely agreed on all issues." Nicholas told Salisbury that he couldn't bear Wilhelm's company for long and added that the kaiser had told him that England was trying to set up a "rival Sultanate" in Arabia-i.e., trying to stir up trouble in the Ottoman empire for its own advantage. The prime minister told the tsar, "this was a rather satisfied with my interview with Emperor Nicholas," Wilhelm had purred after the meeting. "He was natural, open, communicative and heartfelt as he has always been with me. We completely agreed on all issues." Nicholas told Salisbury that he couldn't bear Wilhelm's company for long and added that the kaiser had told him that England was trying to set up a "rival Sultanate" in Arabia-i.e., trying to stir up trouble in the Ottoman empire for its own advantage. The prime minister told the tsar, "this was a rather99 perfidious proceeding, as he was at the same time telling us that Russia was preparing an attack upon us about Egypt." Salisbury was pleased with the meeting, and told the queen that he'd been "much struck by perfidious proceeding, as he was at the same time telling us that Russia was preparing an attack upon us about Egypt." Salisbury was pleased with the meeting, and told the queen that he'd been "much struck by100 [the tsar's] great candour and desire to be on the best terms with us." He was also overheard observing to the Prince of Wales that the tsar was "very different from [the tsar's] great candour and desire to be on the best terms with us." He was also overheard observing to the Prince of Wales that the tsar was "very different from101 the other Emperor!" the other Emperor!"

When they met again two days later, however, Nicholas had changed his tune. It was obvious that someone, almost certainly the Russian amba.s.sador, de Staal, had got to him. He was now "distinctly averse, at this stage, to any effort to dethrone the Sultan," and worried about the dangers of "interfering in other people's concerns." When the subject moved on to Egypt, he seemed to be about to say he had no objection to the British occupation, "But he stopped suddenly and turned the conversation, as though he felt he was committing an imprudence."102 The queen refused to be put off by Nicholas's opacity. On his last night she summoned him to her room before dinner and asked him bluntly what he thought about deposing the sultan. Nicky said "he thought it would be a great risk, and might lead to dangerous complications." She went further and asked him about the "friendship" between Russia and France, and his visit to Paris, where he would be travelling the next day. Nicky explained that "It was a purely military agreement," which had come about because both countries had been excluded by the Triple Alliance. "Nicky did not seem at all to relish the French, and regretted the visit to Paris, which was unavoidable," she reported optimistically. "I said it was so important that Russia and England should go well together, as they were the most powerful Empires, for then the world must be at peace."103 The Russian party departed the next day for France. The emperor left a breathtaking tip104 of 1,000 for the staff, the empress a trail of diamond and pearl brooches among the ladies-in-waiting. The queen pursued Nicholas to Paris with a letter, asking him-with a persistence that Salisbury could not have employed, and an expectation of the power of the family relationship which Salisbury did not share-to "kindly use of 1,000 for the staff, the empress a trail of diamond and pearl brooches among the ladies-in-waiting. The queen pursued Nicholas to Paris with a letter, asking him-with a persistence that Salisbury could not have employed, and an expectation of the power of the family relationship which Salisbury did not share-to "kindly use105 your influence and let the French understand that you do not intend to support them in their constant inimicality towards England, which is the cause of much annoyance and difficulty to us, in Egypt amongst other subjects." She added, in an attempt to mollify, "I would not have written this had you not told me that the agreement, or alliance, or whatever it is called, was your influence and let the French understand that you do not intend to support them in their constant inimicality towards England, which is the cause of much annoyance and difficulty to us, in Egypt amongst other subjects." She added, in an attempt to mollify, "I would not have written this had you not told me that the agreement, or alliance, or whatever it is called, was only only of a military nature." of a military nature."

From Paris-where to their great surprise and eventual pleasure, the imperial couple were mobbed and cheered everywhere-Nicholas was more forthright. He told Victoria he had not discussed hostility to England with the French, and "As to Egypt, I must own, dearest Grandmama, the question is of a very serious character." The Russians felt the same as the French on the subject; they wanted Britain out of Egypt because her control of the Suez Ca.n.a.l was a "threat to our maritime route to the Far East ... Politics alas! are not the same as private or domestic affairs and they are not guided by personal or relationship feelings. History is one's real positive teacher in these matters and for me personally, except that, I have always got the sacred example of my beloved father and also the result and proof of all His deeds!"106 Among competing nation-states, Nicholas let Grandmama know as gently as he could, family was worth little or nothing-a more realistic acknowledgement of the state of international affairs than the queen's. Among competing nation-states, Nicholas let Grandmama know as gently as he could, family was worth little or nothing-a more realistic acknowledgement of the state of international affairs than the queen's.

The answer must have been a blow to the queen. It can be no accident that the flow of chatty family letters from her to Nicholas now shrank to a dribble. Salisbury, however, persisted. He made more overtures to the Russians in the autumn of 1896, but their response was unenthusiastic. Just to ill.u.s.trate the Russian detachedness, in late December Nicholas-contrary to everything he had said to Salisbury at Balmoral-was persuaded to green-light an extraordinarily rash secret plan to solve the Eastern Question with a Russian-backed coup d'etat in Constantinople to depose the sultan. The Nelidov Plan, named after the Russian amba.s.sador who proposed it, would have alienated all the Great Powers and quite possibly have started a war in the region. As a senior Russian diplomat later wrote in his memoirs, it "would unquestionably have107 spelt disaster for Russia." It was quashed by Sergei Witte and the horrified French. But it showed that Nicholas was worryingly susceptible to risky imperialist adventures. spelt disaster for Russia." It was quashed by Sergei Witte and the horrified French. But it showed that Nicholas was worryingly susceptible to risky imperialist adventures.

Wilhelm's pursuit of Nicholas also came to nothing. Watching the tsar's progress around Europe, he felt less and less confident that his meeting with him at Breslau had made the lasting impression he'd hoped. The German Foreign Office reported that between Breslau and Balmoral Nicholas had met his mother108 in Copenhagen and that she had talked him out of his good impression with Wilhelm; then there had been all the cheers in Paris. In a panic, the kaiser invited himself to Hesse-Darmstadt, where the tsar was staying with his brother-in-law Ernie before returning home. It was a great blunder. Nicholas regarded his stays at Hesse-Darmstadt as his private holiday when he could unwind from the demands of formal travel. He and Alix relaxed there as they did nowhere else. Wilhelm's arrival was unwelcome. Moreover, the French visit had coloured Nicholas's view of Germany. Crossing the border into Germany, he observed that everything suddenly seemed "black, dark and in Copenhagen and that she had talked him out of his good impression with Wilhelm; then there had been all the cheers in Paris. In a panic, the kaiser invited himself to Hesse-Darmstadt, where the tsar was staying with his brother-in-law Ernie before returning home. It was a great blunder. Nicholas regarded his stays at Hesse-Darmstadt as his private holiday when he could unwind from the demands of formal travel. He and Alix relaxed there as they did nowhere else. Wilhelm's arrival was unwelcome. Moreover, the French visit had coloured Nicholas's view of Germany. Crossing the border into Germany, he observed that everything suddenly seemed "black, dark and109 boring!" Confronted by a blankly unfriendly Nicholas, Wilhelm decided to blame his failure on Grand Duke Sergei, the tsar's bullying anti-German uncle. "In his presence boring!" Confronted by a blankly unfriendly Nicholas, Wilhelm decided to blame his failure on Grand Duke Sergei, the tsar's bullying anti-German uncle. "In his presence110 the Emperor is remarkably awkward and reserved ... Sergei is the Emperor's evil demon and our most energetic enemy." It was hard to blame it all on Sergei, though. When Nicholas got back to St. Petersburg, he asked Wilhelm to stop writing personally to him, giving as the reason his concern that Chancellor Hohenlohe was not aware of the letters. Wilhelm ignored this. The new Russian foreign minister-appointed an indecisive five months after Lobanov's death in Vienna-was another disappointment. Count Mikhail Muraviev was smooth and courtly, an enthusiastic Russian imperialist with a taste for champagne, and regarded as inveterately hostile to Germany-not least because a couple of years before Wilhelm had personally blocked his appointment to a post in Berlin. Fritz Holstein's informant in Moscow called him a "swine" the Emperor is remarkably awkward and reserved ... Sergei is the Emperor's evil demon and our most energetic enemy." It was hard to blame it all on Sergei, though. When Nicholas got back to St. Petersburg, he asked Wilhelm to stop writing personally to him, giving as the reason his concern that Chancellor Hohenlohe was not aware of the letters. Wilhelm ignored this. The new Russian foreign minister-appointed an indecisive five months after Lobanov's death in Vienna-was another disappointment. Count Mikhail Muraviev was smooth and courtly, an enthusiastic Russian imperialist with a taste for champagne, and regarded as inveterately hostile to Germany-not least because a couple of years before Wilhelm had personally blocked his appointment to a post in Berlin. Fritz Holstein's informant in Moscow called him a "swine"111 and bootlicker. On the plus side, Holstein's contact observed, he wasn't "a friend of France ... he thinks the English are disgusting and he has a fanatical hatred of the Poles." Holstein concluded that Wilhelm's personal interventions had backfired. "Without Breslau and without Darmstadt things might perhaps be better. There is no question that the Tsar had no desire whatever to meet our Kaiser again, and it is really deplorable that the latter absolutely runs after him." and bootlicker. On the plus side, Holstein's contact observed, he wasn't "a friend of France ... he thinks the English are disgusting and he has a fanatical hatred of the Poles." Holstein concluded that Wilhelm's personal interventions had backfired. "Without Breslau and without Darmstadt things might perhaps be better. There is no question that the Tsar had no desire whatever to meet our Kaiser again, and it is really deplorable that the latter absolutely runs after him."112 Messages from Russia, however, were contradictory. Just at the moment when Nicholas appointed Muraviev, whom the British considered "conceited and vain113 as a woman," Nicholas's finance minister, Sergei Witte, now widely regarded as his most impressive and influential adviser, hinted to the latest British amba.s.sador, Sir Nicholas O'Conor, that the Russian government might after all be interested in a resolution with Britain. In the New Year of 1897 Witte told the amba.s.sador, "Russia doesn't as a woman," Nicholas's finance minister, Sergei Witte, now widely regarded as his most impressive and influential adviser, hinted to the latest British amba.s.sador, Sir Nicholas O'Conor, that the Russian government might after all be interested in a resolution with Britain. In the New Year of 1897 Witte told the amba.s.sador, "Russia doesn't114 want a foot more of territory, she has more than she can develop in the next 200 years. She wants peace; to foster trade, commerce and industry and to improve the condition of the people. The old school who wanted to extend Russia to the Bosphorus is dead." As the Nelidov plan showed, this might have been how Witte felt, but there were plenty of "old school" politicians and army chiefs who felt quite the opposite. Nevertheless, somewhat desultory talks were begun between England and Russia to discuss their mutual policies in China, and behind the scenes and despite public sympathy in Britain for Russian dissidents, Special Branch want a foot more of territory, she has more than she can develop in the next 200 years. She wants peace; to foster trade, commerce and industry and to improve the condition of the people. The old school who wanted to extend Russia to the Bosphorus is dead." As the Nelidov plan showed, this might have been how Witte felt, but there were plenty of "old school" politicians and army chiefs who felt quite the opposite. Nevertheless, somewhat desultory talks were begun between England and Russia to discuss their mutual policies in China, and behind the scenes and despite public sympathy in Britain for Russian dissidents, Special Branch115 began to cooperate with Okhrana, the Russian secret police, on the surveillance of Russian anarchist and terrorist groups based in London. began to cooperate with Okhrana, the Russian secret police, on the surveillance of Russian anarchist and terrorist groups based in London.

In early January 1897, almost a year to the day that he'd sent the Kruger telegram, Wilhelm wrote hopefully to his grandmother, "Have you any116 plans or wishes about our coming or not coming for Your Jubilee, and whether some of our children are to come with or not?" The queen's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating her sixty years on the throne, was planned for June. Her answer was to the point: he couldn't come; as the Jubilee was to be a celebration of empire, no foreign crowned heads were to be invited. Instead, the queen told him, his brother Heinrich would come "as one of her grandchildren." "And I am plans or wishes about our coming or not coming for Your Jubilee, and whether some of our children are to come with or not?" The queen's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating her sixty years on the throne, was planned for June. Her answer was to the point: he couldn't come; as the Jubilee was to be a celebration of empire, no foreign crowned heads were to be invited. Instead, the queen told him, his brother Heinrich would come "as one of her grandchildren." "And I am117 her eldest grandchild," Wilhelm scribbled forlornly on the letter. Determined to change her mind, he wrote her a splendid letter in April, likening himself to a horse: her eldest grandchild," Wilhelm scribbled forlornly on the letter. Determined to change her mind, he wrote her a splendid letter in April, likening himself to a horse: I feel like118 a charger chained in the stables who hears the bugle sounding, and stamps and champs his bit, because he cannot follow his regiment. I had hoped to lead the Royals as their Colonel past their Sovereign, if not as her Escort, and to join their cheers when they salute their Queen in the exuberance of their loyal pride ... in the great final charge I would have borne my sword proudly before the saluting point at the head of that magnificent regiment ... But it was all idle dreams! But such dreams are hard to give up for a pa.s.sionate soldier! a charger chained in the stables who hears the bugle sounding, and stamps and champs his bit, because he cannot follow his regiment. I had hoped to lead the Royals as their Colonel past their Sovereign, if not as her Escort, and to join their cheers when they salute their Queen in the exuberance of their loyal pride ... in the great final charge I would have borne my sword proudly before the saluting point at the head of that magnificent regiment ... But it was all idle dreams! But such dreams are hard to give up for a pa.s.sionate soldier!

The queen would not relent, and whatever the justification given, it was hard not to see it as a punishment for Wilhelm's position over the Boers. She became angry with him again when a small war broke out between Greece and Turkey a month later. Wilhelm favoured the Turks, while she felt obliged to back the Greek royal family. She blamed his position on his "personal hatred119 of Greece and enmity to the King and the whole royal family." She wasn't entirely wrong, there had been bad feeling between Wilhelm and the Greek royal family since his sister had married the Greek heir; but he also had political reasons for siding with the Turks, whom he'd been pursuing as potential allies since the British had withdrawn from being their supporters in Europe. It was the queen's position that was informed by personal feelings-the Greeks had brought the war on themselves by landing an army on Turkish-run Crete. That made no odds at the British court. "The German Emperor of Greece and enmity to the King and the whole royal family." She wasn't entirely wrong, there had been bad feeling between Wilhelm and the Greek royal family since his sister had married the Greek heir; but he also had political reasons for siding with the Turks, whom he'd been pursuing as potential allies since the British had withdrawn from being their supporters in Europe. It was the queen's position that was informed by personal feelings-the Greeks had brought the war on themselves by landing an army on Turkish-run Crete. That made no odds at the British court. "The German Emperor120 is in bad odour everywhere," wrote the queen's lady-in-waiting Marie Mallet, "and the final coup is his acceptance of six Greek guns presented by the Sultan. He ought to be kicked; my only joy is that he is simply frantic at not coming for the Jubilee and would like to kill his poor brother for daring to accept the Queen's invitation." is in bad odour everywhere," wrote the queen's lady-in-waiting Marie Mallet, "and the final coup is his acceptance of six Greek guns presented by the Sultan. He ought to be kicked; my only joy is that he is simply frantic at not coming for the Jubilee and would like to kill his poor brother for daring to accept the Queen's invitation."

The Jubilee was a statement of Britain's moral right to dominate and expand across the globe, an a.s.sertion of its status as top dog in the dog-eat-dog world of international politics, and a declaration of Britain and the empire's sufficiency unto themselves, their need for no one else. It demonstrated that the British empire was, as the Kreuzzeitung Kreuzzeitung, the leading German newspaper of the Prussian establishment, noted both admiringly and enviously, "completely una.s.sailable."121 It now occupied It now occupied122 25 percent of the world's landma.s.s, not including the informal influence it exercised over the economies of several South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil, and encompa.s.sed 444 million people. 25 percent of the world's landma.s.s, not including the informal influence it exercised over the economies of several South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil, and encompa.s.sed 444 million people.

In spectacle the Jubilee was quite as splendid as its predecessor. More so. On the day itself, 21 June, the long, glittering parade of soldiers from all parts of the empire followed the queen's carriage through London to St. Paul's, where she attended a service of thanksgiving. George described it as "the most wonderful123 crowd I ever saw, perfect order and no accidents, 8 miles of streets we pa.s.sed through, never heard anything like the cheering, decorations beautiful, fine and hot." The presentations, garden parties, march-pasts and street parties went on well into July. At Spithead the Prince of Wales reviewed the largest a.s.sembly of shining warships ever gathered in one place: 173 battleships in a line seven miles long. The navy claimed that no ship had been withdrawn from foreign stations to make it. It was, as everyone knew, the navy that had turned "a loose aggregate crowd I ever saw, perfect order and no accidents, 8 miles of streets we pa.s.sed through, never heard anything like the cheering, decorations beautiful, fine and hot." The presentations, garden parties, march-pasts and street parties went on well into July. At Spithead the Prince of Wales reviewed the largest a.s.sembly of shining warships ever gathered in one place: 173 battleships in a line seven miles long. The navy claimed that no ship had been withdrawn from foreign stations to make it. It was, as everyone knew, the navy that had turned "a loose aggregate124 of States," as of States," as The Times The Times put it, into an empire. put it, into an empire.

And yet a note of diminuendo and superst.i.tious uncertainty seemed to hang around the celebration's penumbra. The Times The Times published Rudyard Kipling's new poem "Recessional," an oddly downbeat commentary on the empire's triumph, a kind of memento mori warning of complacency and hubris, "frantic boast and foolish word," reminding his readers that empires fell as well as rose: published Rudyard Kipling's new poem "Recessional," an oddly downbeat commentary on the empire's triumph, a kind of memento mori warning of complacency and hubris, "frantic boast and foolish word," reminding his readers that empires fell as well as rose: all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

A commentary next to the poem ran, "The most dangerous125 and demoralizing temper into which a state can fall is one of boastful pride." The flip-side of the Jubilee's proud and confident a.s.sertion of power, wealth and self-sufficiency was the fear that the empire might have peaked, that there was nowhere to go but down, and the worry that Britain might and demoralizing temper into which a state can fall is one of boastful pride." The flip-side of the Jubilee's proud and confident a.s.sertion of power, wealth and self-sufficiency was the fear that the empire might have peaked, that there was nowhere to go but down, and the worry that Britain might have have to be sufficient unto itself because it was surrounded by countries who hated it. The Kruger telegram had forced on the British the realization that the rest of Europe resented their influence and power. At the end of 1896 Salisbury, whose attempts to coordinate the Great Powers over Turkey, China and the Greek War had been consistently rejected, had observed that the only Great Power "which does not to be sufficient unto itself because it was surrounded by countries who hated it. The Kruger telegram had forced on the British the realization that the rest of Europe resented their influence and power. At the end of 1896 Salisbury, whose attempts to coordinate the Great Powers over Turkey, China and the Greek War had been consistently rejected, had observed that the only Great Power "which does not126 hate us" was Austria (which was also the only power with no interest in a colonial empire). The queen, meanwhile, was "very much depressed hate us" was Austria (which was also the only power with no interest in a colonial empire). The queen, meanwhile, was "very much depressed127 by the knowledge that we are so actively hated by other countries. She frequently refers to the subject and says she cannot see why it should be so." by the knowledge that we are so actively hated by other countries. She frequently refers to the subject and says she cannot see why it should be so."

Even as the Jubilee celebrations broke out, the uglier side of empire128 was making itself internationally visible. India was in the grip of a horrifying famine exacerbated, if not caused, by an obsessively free-market colonial government which continued to export grain surpluses to England while India starved. Photographs of the hideously starved victims-courtesy of the new light, handheld Kodak cameras-were seen around the world, though they were markedly absent from the British papers, which operated conscious self-censorship on the matter. Away from public gaze, the colonial government in South Africa was quietly importing Chinese indentured labour-effectively slaves-to work in the mines, in order to undercut local wages. was making itself internationally visible. India was in the grip of a horrifying famine exacerbated, if not caused, by an obsessively free-market colonial government which continued to export grain surpluses to England while India starved. Photographs of the hideously starved victims-courtesy of the new light, handheld Kodak cameras-were seen around the world, though they were markedly absent from the British papers, which operated conscious self-censorship on the matter. Away from public gaze, the colonial government in South Africa was quietly importing Chinese indentured labour-effectively slaves-to work in the mines, in order to undercut local wages.

When Wilhelm made a state visit to St. Petersburg after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, in August, his new foreign minister, Bernhard von Bulow, took great delight in reporting that "Emperor Nicholas,129 Count Murawiew Count Murawiew [sic] [sic]* and Mr. Witte expressed mistrust and tension with England at every opportunity." Nicholas said and Mr. Witte expressed mistrust and tension with England at every opportunity." Nicholas said130 he believed that the English were trying to provoke a European war. Actually the tsar was about as personally enthusiastic about the kaiser as he was politically about the British. "Thank G.o.d the German visit is over," he wrote to his mother afterwards. "... On the whole Wilhelm was very cheerful, calm and courteous, while she [Dona] tried to be charming, and looked very ugly in rich clothes without taste; the hats she wore in the evenings ... were particularly impossible." (It was an open secret that Wilhelm designed Dona's clothes and forced her to diet to stay slim.) Nicholas added that he had had to make Wilhelm an honorary Russian admiral because he'd accepted a similar rank in the German navy the year before, and the thought-"C'est a vomir!" he believed that the English were trying to provoke a European war. Actually the tsar was about as personally enthusiastic about the kaiser as he was politically about the British. "Thank G.o.d the German visit is over," he wrote to his mother afterwards. "... On the whole Wilhelm was very cheerful, calm and courteous, while she [Dona] tried to be charming, and looked very ugly in rich clothes without taste; the hats she wore in the evenings ... were particularly impossible." (It was an open secret that Wilhelm designed Dona's clothes and forced her to diet to stay slim.) Nicholas added that he had had to make Wilhelm an honorary Russian admiral because he'd accepted a similar rank in the German navy the year before, and the thought-"C'est a vomir!"131-made him sick.

Only a few months later, in mid-November 1897, another German colonial intervention provoked paroxysms of rage in Russia quite as strong as and distinctly similar to the British reaction to the Kruger telegram. Wilhelm sent a naval squadron to occupy the northeastern Chinese port of Kiaochow. The reason-the pretext-was the murder of two German missionaries. "We have ... to132 show them with the most brutal ruthlessness that the German Kaiser is not one to fool about with," he told the German Foreign Ministry. The truth was, with Africa looking distinctly crowded with would-be colonial empires, Germany had begun to cast its eye-just like Russia-over China. It fancied acquiring a province and a port in which to refuel its ships in the Pacific, from which it might claim some Pacific islands. Kiaochow was as yet not dominated by other foreign influences, it was easily accessible, with a good protected harbour. Having seized it, in the New Year of 1898 the German government took a lease on it and the surrounding region from the Chinese government. show them with the most brutal ruthlessness that the German Kaiser is not one to fool about with," he told the German Foreign Ministry. The truth was, with Africa looking distinctly crowded with would-be colonial empires, Germany had begun to cast its eye-just like Russia-over China. It fancied acquiring a province and a port in which to refuel its ships in the Pacific, from which it might claim some Pacific islands. Kiaochow was as yet not dominated by other foreign influences, it was easily accessible, with a good protected harbour. Having seized it, in the New Year of 1898 the German government took a lease on it and the surrounding region from the Chinese government.

The Russians were furious. They believed the Germans had grabbed the port from under their noses. They'd long fancied Kiaochow, which was in Manchuria, the Chinese province that bordered Siberia, as a warm-water port for their own navy. They issued a formal demand that Germany vacate it, going so far as to threaten war. In response, Wilhelm claimed that the tsar knew all about it. He had mentioned his interest in Kiaochow during their meeting that summer, he said, and Nicholas had raised no objections. This was true. During his summer visit the kaiser had asked Nicholas whether he had any intentions towards Kiaochow. Nicholas had replied vaguely that he wasn't opposed133 to the German fleet making use of it as long as they asked permission first. Wilhelm decided this amounted to a formal "agreement with the Emperor to the German fleet making use of it as long as they asked permission first. Wilhelm decided this amounted to a formal "agreement with the Emperor134 in person," and another victory for his personal diplomacy. Nicholas, who had clearly never expected the Germans to mount a land grab in China, felt misled and cheated. in person," and another victory for his personal diplomacy. Nicholas, who had clearly never expected the Germans to mount a land grab in China, felt misled and cheated.

Military action against Germany, the Russian government admitted to itself, was not really an option. The new foreign minister, Muraviev, proposed that instead Russia send warships to take over the nearby Chinese port of Port Arthur. Witte opposed the idea; sending ships and troops ran absolutely counter to his plans to create a sphere of influence in Manchuria by promising friendly diplomatic support and loans. It made his previous inroads look dishonest, it would be expensive, and it would instantly alert the British to Russia's intentions. Initially Nicholas listened to Witte. But Muraviev went behind Witte's back, asked for a private audience and convinced the emperor to send the ships because the "yellow races" understood only force. The Russians sailed into Port Arthur weeks later. "Thank G.o.d we135 managed to occupy Port Arthur ... without blood, quietly and almost amicably!" Nicholas wrote to his brother George. "Of course, it was quite risky, but had we missed those docks now, it would be impossible later to kick out the English or the j.a.panese without a war. Yes, one has to look sharp, there on the Pacific ocean lies the whole future of the development of Russia and at last we have a fully open warm water port ... What did you think of the articles in the English papers? Greedy scoundrels!-they are never satisfied! The devil take them!" managed to occupy Port Arthur ... without blood, quietly and almost amicably!" Nicholas wrote to his brother George. "Of course, it was quite risky, but had we missed those docks now, it would be impossible later to kick out the English or the j.a.panese without a war. Yes, one has to look sharp, there on the Pacific ocean lies the whole future of the development of Russia and at last we have a fully open warm water port ... What did you think of the articles in the English papers? Greedy scoundrels!-they are never satisfied! The devil take them!"

Now it was the turn of the British to be furious. The last thing they wanted was a scramble for China.136 Moreover, the Russians consistently lied about their intentions. They had initially turfed British ships out of Port Arthur, insisting their warships needed to winter there; then they a.s.sured the British that the occupation was temporary, while taking out a lease on Port Arthur in return for paying off China's indemnity to j.a.pan. Finally, they promised that Port Arthur would be open to foreign ships, but, when asked to put his a.s.surances in writing, Muraviev admitted the Russians had no intention of making it an open port. All the while, he had sweetened his denials with occasional mentions of an Anglo-Russian agreement. He'd even got the tsar to charm the British amba.s.sador, O'Conor, at the Winter Palace ball, and murmur encouragingly about Anglo-Russian relations. Moreover, the Russians consistently lied about their intentions. They had initially turfed British ships out of Port Arthur, insisting their warships needed to winter there; then they a.s.sured the British that the occupation was temporary, while taking out a lease on Port Arthur in return for paying off China's indemnity to j.a.pan. Finally, they promised that Port Arthur would be open to foreign ships, but, when asked to put his a.s.surances in writing, Muraviev admitted the Russians had no intention of making it an open port. All the while, he had sweetened his denials with occasional mentions of an Anglo-Russian agreement. He'd even got the tsar to charm the British amba.s.sador, O'Conor, at the Winter Palace ball, and murmur encouragingly about Anglo-Russian relations.

In Africa it had become accepted that if one Great Power acquired a large amount of territory, other powers with rival interests could expect some form of compensation. So the British, half-reluctantly since they'd preferred the old less formal arrangement, demanded their own port in China, and got nearby Weihaiwei, in compensation.

Now Germany was disgruntled. The country had been almost hysterically delighted at the acquisition of Kiaochow, but almost immediately it was eclipsed by the Russians and the British. And when Wilhelm wrote to Nicky in the New Year of 1898 boasting of the German success-"We follow in137 the fulfilment of the task, which has been set us by the Lord of all Lords ... in promoting civilization, ie Christianity in the Far East!"-the tsar's reply was "cold and the fulfilment of the task, which has been set us by the Lord of all Lords ... in promoting civilization, ie Christianity in the Far East!"-the tsar's reply was "cold and138 reserved." He would pointedly avoid Berlin and the kaiser for the next three years. In 1899 a German diplomat would report that Nicholas's hostility towards Wilhelm was so strong that it was now an obstacle to good relations, and the kaiser's own indiscretion was making it worse. On the report Wilhelm scribbled, "I never say reserved." He would pointedly avoid Berlin and the kaiser for the next three years. In 1899 a German diplomat would report that Nicholas's hostility towards Wilhelm was so strong that it was now an obstacle to good relations, and the kaiser's own indiscretion was making it worse. On the report Wilhelm scribbled, "I never say139 anything about him in front of strangers." He was actually only too quick to describe Nicky as a "ninny" and a "whimperer," and barely a year later would tell the British foreign secretary that the tsar was "only fit to live in a country house and grow turnips." anything about him in front of strangers." He was actually only too quick to describe Nicky as a "ninny" and a "whimperer," and barely a year later would tell the British foreign secretary that the tsar was "only fit to live in a country house and grow turnips."140 Though the Russians had made it clear that warm personal relationships wouldn't be allowed to affect politics, it was obvious that bad relationships could. Though the Russians had made it clear that warm personal relationships wouldn't be allowed to affect politics, it was obvious that bad relationships could.

* Alix destroyed the correspondence after the queen's death. Alix destroyed the correspondence after the queen's death.

* Queen Victoria felt Queen Victoria felt36 quite as anti-republican. When the French president, Felix Faure, came to pay his respects to her in 1898 in the South of France, she told Edward he was a commoner and could not be treated as an equal. Edward must remain on the stairs when he arrived, forcing the president to climb up to meet him. Faure, perfectly aware of the intended snub, was very insulted. quite as anti-republican. When the French president, Felix Faure, came to pay his respects to her in 1898 in the South of France, she told Edward he was a commoner and could not be treated as an equal. Edward must remain on the stairs when he arrived, forcing the president to climb up to meet him. Faure, perfectly aware of the intended snub, was very insulted.

* Swaine was the man from whom Wilhelm had extracted military information which he had then pa.s.sed to Tsar Alexander III. The military attache had remained a consistent and sympathetic advocate for what he believed was Wilhelm's underlying sympathy for his mother's country. Swaine was the man from whom Wilhelm had extracted military information which he had then pa.s.sed to Tsar Alexander III. The military attache had remained a consistent and sympathetic advocate for what he believed was Wilhelm's underlying sympathy for his mother's country.

* In fact rumours of the Ottoman empire's collapse would turn out to be premature; it would lumber along into the First World War. In fact rumours of the Ottoman empire's collapse would turn out to be premature; it would lumber along into the First World War.

* Between Wilhelm and George's cousin Alexandra (youngest daughter of Affie, now Duke of Coburg, and Marie of Russia) and the German diplomat Prince Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Between Wilhelm and George's cousin Alexandra (youngest daughter of Affie, now Duke of Coburg, and Marie of Russia) and the German diplomat Prince Ernst zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

* Nicholas and George had just spent a few days with their grandparents in Denmark. Nicholas and George had just spent a few days with their grandparents in Denmark.

* The new Russian foreign minister, usually rendered as Muraviev. The new Russian foreign minister, usually rendered as Muraviev.

8.

BEHIND THE WALL.

18931904 Even people who disapproved of Nicholas talked about his "kind eyes."1 The British journalist W. T. Stead, given several very rare audiences with him in 1898, reported breathlessly to his readers that the tsar was "charming, sympathetic, The British journalist W. T. Stead, given several very rare audiences with him in 1898, reported breathlessly to his readers that the tsar was "charming, sympathetic,2 alert, lucid, modest." As a man Nicholas took an appealingly modern view of marriage: he was a far more devoted, faithful and supportive husband than most men-or monarchs-of his generation. Entry after entry in his diary complained about the amount of time he had to spend away from his wife and children. "After tea," alert, lucid, modest." As a man Nicholas took an appealingly modern view of marriage: he was a far more devoted, faithful and supportive husband than most men-or monarchs-of his generation. Entry after entry in his diary complained about the amount of time he had to spend away from his wife and children. "After tea,"3 he wrote a few days before the birth of his first child, Olga, in late October 1895, "I read, and set myself to composing a reply to Wilhelm. A thoroughly irritating thing to be doing when one has so many things to do, and so much more important!" His daily routine was arranged so he could take his daughters-there were three by 1899-and his dogs-English collies-out for a daily walk, or in winter a sledge at 11 a.m., and have his meals with his family. In the evenings, unless he had to go to the opera or ballet, he liked to retire to his wife's boudoir. Alix created a cosy, he wrote a few days before the birth of his first child, Olga, in late October 1895, "I read, and set myself to composing a reply to Wilhelm. A thoroughly irritating thing to be doing when one has so many things to do, and so much more important!" His daily routine was arranged so he could take his daughters-there were three by 1899-and his dogs-English collies-out for a daily walk, or in winter a sledge at 11 a.m., and have his meals with his family. In the evenings, unless he had to go to the opera or ballet, he liked to retire to his wife's boudoir. Alix created a cosy, gemutlich gemutlich nest within the echoing imperial grandeur of the Romanov palaces. The world, including the royal household, was shut out. "Never did I nest within the echoing imperial grandeur of the Romanov palaces. The world, including the royal household, was shut out. "Never did I4 believe there could be such utter happiness in this world," she had written in Nicholas's diary after their wedding night. "I am indescribably happy," he added a few weeks later. They called each other "hubby" and "wifey" (using the English words). "My sweet old believe there could be such utter happiness in this world," she had written in Nicholas's diary after their wedding night. "I am indescribably happy," he added a few weeks later. They called each other "hubby" and "wifey" (using the English words). "My sweet old5 darlin