New York George H. Doran Company, 1923. — 405 pages. Language: English.Preface
This book is in no sense an autobiography. Nor does it include within its scope a review of the conduct of the War, of the Armistice, or of the Peace negotiations, and the Treaties which resulted from them. Its purpose is to trace the genesis of the war through all the antecedent stages up to its actual outbreak, with especial references to the policy pursued by Great Britain, for which during the nine preceding years I had myself a large measure of responsibility. The recent publication by the ex-Kaiser of his Memoirs seemed to make this an opportune moment for attempting such a task.
Though I have made use of all the relevant and authentic materials which are now accessible, and been careful to rectify statements of fact, I have been as sparing as was possible in references and foot-notes. An exhaustive analysis of the documentary matter which has been brought to light
since the War is to be found in Mr. G. P. Gooch's "Recent Revelations on European Diplomacy."
I have to acknowledge many obligations for kind assistance in my undertaking. I am particularly
indebted to Mr. Alexander MacKintosh (of the Aberdeen Journal) for the pains and skill which he has expended in disentangling the story of the negotiations immediately preceding the War.
Among others to whom I owe my best thanks are Sir William Tyrrell, Assistant Under-Secretary, and Mr. Headlam Morley, historical adviser to the Foreign Office; Sir J. E. Masterton Smith, Under-Secretary for the Colonies; Lieutenant Colonel Sir Maurice Hankey; Mr. Montague Norman, the Governor of the Bank of England; Dr. Walter Leaf, Chairman of the Westminster Bank; Mr. W. M. R. Pringle, M.P.; Major General Sir Frederick Maurice; and my old colleagues Lord Haldane and Mr. Churchill.
