Chapter II. HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.

LIKENED TO BELSHAZZER--THE KAISER'S FEASTS--IN HIS HEART BARBARIC PRIDE OF THE POTENTATES OF OLD--GERMAN MADNESS FOR WAR--INSOLENT DEMANDS--FORTY-EIGHT HOURS TO PREVENT A WORLD WAR--COMMENT OF STATESMEN AND LEADERS--THE WAR STARTS--ITALY BREAKS HER ALLIANCE--GERMANIC POWERS WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING--SPIRIT WINS OVER MATERIALISM--CIVILIZATION'S LAMP DIMMED BUT NOT DARKENED