"Well: Croats, Slovenes, Dalmatians, and the dwellers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to say nothing of the Czechs and the Magyars,—in the event of your annexation of all these, you would be obliged to have regard unto the racial characteristics of your new subjects. Now, at the same time, would you not be well advised to regard the racial characteristics of Poland?"
"In what way?"
"For example, would you concede to Poland, the Polish language, and a Polish king and constitution under your imperial suzerainty?"
"Your Holiness means something of the nature of federation, such as Your Own country so successfully has adopted?"
"Concisely."
"I had not thought of it. It merits my profound consideration."
"And what would happen to the other fragments of Austria, and to the Balkan States?"
"I do not know. The Sultan would have something to say."
"And what will he say?"
"I must tell Your Holiness that I am much disappointed in Turkey. I looked upon it as the military power, whose ability to hold back Russia, and to prevent the political strangulation of Germany in Europe by keeping-open the gates of the East, must be strengthened at all costs. Hence I practically re-armed the Sultan's forces; and passed numbers of young Turkish officers through my military schools. You may say that I made the Turkish Army. All to no purpose. The new Sultan has played me false. I am afraid now that Turkey will be more influenced by England and by Italy than by me."