Helmuth von Moltke the Younger

"If there is no change in the political situation in Europe, Germany's central position will compel her to form a front on several sides. We shall therefore have to hold one front defensively with comp…"

"The moment Russia mobilizes, Germany also will mobilize, and will unquestionably mobilize her whole army."

"If we again slink out of this affair with our tail between our legs, if we cannot pull ourselves together to present demands which we are prepared to enforce by the sword, then I despair of the future…"

"a question of life or death for us. We shall stop at nothing to gain our end. In the struggle for existence, one does not bother about the means one employs."

"One should not comment on the actual motivating factor of the whole expedition, for if we were completely honest it is greed which has encouraged us to cut into the big Chinese cake. We wanted to earn…"

"We are ready , and the sooner it comes, the better for us."

"It is dreadful to be condemned to inactivity in this war which I prepared and initiated."

"Revolution in India and Egypt, and also in the Caucuses...is of the highest importance. The treaty with Turkey will make it possible for the Foreign Office to realise this idea and to awaken the fanat…"