German Diplomatic Documents 1871-1914 Volume 1 Bismarck's Relations with England 1871-1890

Original Review of German Diplomatic Documents 1871-1914, Volume I:

'The documents are allowed to speak for themselves...nothing could be more interesting and instructive than the picture we have here of the old Continental system.' The Times, September 27 1928.

'The selections by Mr E.T.S.Dugdale help us materially to understand such things as the part played by Queen Victoria in the war scare of 1875, the varying orientations of Lord Beaconsfield,, Mr Gladstone and Lord Salisbury on the Eastern Question, and Prince Bismarck's advances or reactions to these statesmen.' Daily News, September 27 1928.

'The issue in four volumes is a public service of the first value. Too high a tribute cannot be paid to Captain E.T.S..Dugdale for this summary of the forty volumes published since the war by the German Foreign Office. The volume never fails in interest...We have Bismarck revealed anew indefatigably pulling the strings and expressing himself with ruthless candour on high politics. The recurring theme throughout these diplomatic exchanges is, indeed, that of war.' The Sunday Times, September 30 1928.

'The volume deals with the period when Bismarck still dominated the European scene... it reveals his earnest desire for peace. He had obtained the Germany and the Europe which he had planned and he wanted above all to preserve it. ' The Observer October 14, 1928

'We owe a big debt of gratitude to Mr Dugdale, doubled by the manner in which the work has been done. The translation is admirable.' Daily Herald October 17, 1928

'Most serious readers will be profoundly grateful to Mr Dugdale and to his publishers for undertaking a four-volume selection of the documents that are of primary importance...The first volume, covering the Bismarck era, would alone justify the enterprise. Bismarck spoke in the Reichstag of "England as the old traditional Ally . . . I desire to cling to the friendship that we have enjoyed for at least 500 years with England, even in colonial questions". ' Daily Telegraph January 8 1929