During the first seven years of Sir Edward's enure of the Foreign Office it was perhaps unfortunate that Germany was represented in by Count Metternich, a diplomat of e subtle calibre of the greater Metternich and alleyrand, with a strong tincture of Bismarck. It was inevitable that the direct and simple manner of the British Minister should have been misunderstood by a mind of a totally dif ferent texture; that transparent sincerity and plain words were regarded as nothing but a cunning disguise. In 1912 Count Metternich was transferred to Constantinople, changing places with Baron Marshall von Bieberstein, who died almost before he had begun his work in London. He was followed by Prince Lich nowsky, a cultured diplomat almost English in manner and frankness of purpose. Subsequent events proved, however, that he was not in the confidence of his own government. It seemed at the time England and Germany were success fully co-operating during the Balkan Wars, that the danger-point between the two natidns had passed, and Sir Edward Grey was clearly mov ing with strong hope towards an understanding with Germany. That his efforts were directed toward the impossible has been amply testified by the torrent of literature which the diplomatic history of Europe has produced since 1899. One of the most instructive works on the subject, (Problems of Power,' by W. Morton Fuller ton, was published in 1912, and reveals a re markably anticipation of events be fore they 'happen."
Throughout the course of the grave period immediately preceding the war it Edward Grey strove more earnestly than perhaps any other man in Europe to preserve peace. When be handed the seal of his office over to Mr. Balfour in December 1916, he was the last of all the. European ante-bellum foreign ministers to pass from the stage. King. George had our ferred an earldom upon him in recognition of his 11 years' service at the Foreign Office, but Sir Edward requested that the honor be re duced to a viscountship. Not the least of his services to the empire was the remarkable in novation he introduced at the Imperial Con ference in 1911, on which occasion he addressed the assembled Colonial representatives with a detailed account of the situation in foreign affairs. This step had a far-reaching effect; the mother country had called a family council that drew closer the ties of kindred and com mon interests. A competent English observer described Sir Edward as being ((wholly insular i in his tastes, almost unknown in society, much more devoted to fishing than to politics," and that the transparent honesty of his aims, his entire freedom from artifice . . . give him a certain isolation and authority that are unique.' See WAR, EUROPEAN - INTRODUCTION AND DIPLOMATIC HISTORY; MOROCCO; PERSIA.