[...] where promotions were based on the favor of a man who did not have the character to set a consistent policy made for a state that was not a credible partner.

Germany’s interests were incomprehensible and thus there was no option other than to balance against this rogue state in the heart of Europe

There was a saying of the Kaiser in Vienna, that Wilhelm wished to be “the stag at every hunt, the bride at every wedding, and the corpse at every funeral.”

Indeed, indeed.