THE KAISER'S DIPLOMATIC VICTORY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 6

THE KAISER'S DIPLOMATIC VICTORY.

The conviction seems to be growing that Gwat Britain was lured into the Venezuelan imbroglio by Germany, and that British Ministers, under the influence of what the "Spectator" terms the "wonderful personal magnetism" of tin German Emperor, pledged the nation to an unpopular aad dangerous

attianoe without realising to what lengths it might easily lead. It certainly seems more than a coincidence that the alliance with Germany was concluded only three days after the Kaieer landed in England, on the occasion of his recent viatt to Kiag Edward. It -rill be remembered that the Kaiserfe visit gare rise to much speculation, and all kinds of rumours were eet afloat by the English newspapers regarding his plans and proposals. It was generally agreed that the object of the Kaieer was to come to an agreement, with the British Government on some important question or questions of foreign policy, although opinions differed widely at to what particular scheme he had in view.*' Ths "Spectator" suggested an

agreement regarding ths position of Germany in ihe Persian Gtdf; but this and rtbtr *mmm a> tbs Ptjt U ths aswmapeni

were officiaJly denied by Ministers. It was given out that the Kaiser was eimply paying a friendly visit to his uncle the King of England, and that bis acceptance of King Edward's 'hospitality bad no ulterior object. Mr BaHour, the Prime Minister, denounced the rumours regarding an alliance with Germany as "the most fantastic inventions which " I think even the most inventive Press hft* "eve* discovered." "I have nothing -to " t«H," he added, "of these imaginary nego"tdations or of these strange bargains whici) "ruirour has spread abroad." And witfa tliis assurance Piuss and public, although obviously uneasy, had perforce to rest content.

But recent events throw a new and in some respect* peculiar light on the situation. The official correspondence on the Venezuelan question which has since been published seems to suggest very plainly that there was eometihing behind the Kaiser's visit after a 1 ,.. It appeal* that on November 6th the German Emperor landed in England, and went with the German Ambassador, Couni Metfcernich, to Sandringham, where he met Mr Balfour and' other members of the British Cabinet. These Ministers returned to London on the 10th, and on the same Jay Lord Lanedowne, the Foreign Secretary, went by invitation to Sandringham, there to meet the Emperor and Count Metterndoh. It is at least significant that on returning to town next day Lord Laasdpwne immediately ordered the "final ultimatum" to be presented to Venezuela, and wrote a despatch to the Secreta-ry of the British Embassy* 'at Berlin, stating that Great Britain and Germany had agreed to take joint action against the Republic. Count Metternich, it now transpires, guggesbed an understanding that neither Government should be at liberty, having embarked upon a policy of joint coercion, to recede except by mutual agreement. This seemed to Lord Lansdowne "only reasonable," and the German Ambassador's suggestion was accordingly accepted. In other words, Great Britain was pledged to support Germany's coercive measures aguinst Venezuela, and to ccntinue to sppport them so lorg as Germany considered her claims unsatisfied. In the light of these facts Mr Balfour'e emphatic denials are inexplicable. In any case the Anglo-Ge/rman Alliance looks very like a triumph of diplomacy for Germany, engineered by the astute Kaiser at the expense of the/British Government. It is ditticuLt to believe that with Lord Salisbury at the head of affairs Great Britain would have been drawn into any such entanglement.