THE EX-KAISER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16729, 12 January 1920, Page 7

THE EX-KAISER.

THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR. (Br Cs.M«—Prr»« Assr>o»tiaT.—Copyrisfct) (Aus-.r.V.-an »r.c S.Z. CatV Aviation.) January lUh. P- m J LONDON. January tA further series el t:ie cx-Kai-i - . letters ha> !'<>en pu' " llr ' l Togo attacked the 1 !«t on Febniarv Sih, 1001, and the three days later, wrote to the Czai >vmpaihi>m:j v.ith Lim over the n:n al dele at »y bu ; congratulating 1-iin 011 a & 00i

r.onscioniv. which —< • march to the iray without kn: p.-ack or impediments.' ■"«« J " -It is quite evident, ;.s tilt;. events show, that tn, turning I t vou was absolutely cornvt, and t.i. Japanese uere in hitter earnest when tli»>v decided to have a war. ' Wilhelm infonm-l £zar £ was hi» wish to t l- " d a Prince of ills Unuso with the Russian trocps as a oiectator to learn tho art oi war. lie 3£S«3r .i»« w* i'rmce i-V.leii.k Leopold. should go. hut Ichors show* that tho CV.r.r wa* Ii(lt si>ooially anxious to na.\e

this emissary. The ex-Kaiser Font tho Czar a copy of a contract signed in tho previous October for the supply of arms to China by a Japanese firm. He siynificantly adds: "The raw material lor this contract is being produced at works in Fiance and 1' ranee is your ally." "Wilhelm. in .March, 1.0 , is anxious to t-ovuro tho honouts of war which he did so much to engineer lie regales the Czar with a flamboyant description of his cruise in the Alcditeiranean. lie finds Gibraltar 'is the grandest thing I have ever seen in Nature, and by its military power it is simplv overwhelming." In the midst ot his clnttcr about bewitching Nanle«, he remarks: "T see by tho papers that our Treaty of commerce is deadlocked. _1 lie negotiators aro evidently slumbering. AVhnt a lark if ynu thump.your Imperial fist on the t:il>le and give the ones a jump." He continues: all, ono c?nnot wait for ever. Considering tho months we have alrendv waited, a nice picnic, to Siberia would do wonders. Perhaps affairs might ho quickencd if you sent a person of importance to Berlin straight to von Billow, to finish the game off.'* In June, 1901, the ex-Kaiser wrote: "Your remark about Kuropatkin was a perfect revelation. I am at iiis short-sightedness in not obeying your commands, "ion have been to japan, and aro therefore much more competent to judge of the Japs than he. I hope to goodness that. General Kuropatkin will not jeopardiso his final sneccss by rashly exposing his forces to a chock heforo his reserves can join him. T still hold Napoleon's proverb is good: 'Victory is with tho largo battalions.' Ono can never lx> too strong for battle, especially respecting artillery. I had an interesting conversation with the French military attacho who, on my remarking that it was most astonishing that Franco, as your Ally, did not scnd_ her Fleet to keep Port. Arthur open till your Baltic F'eet arrived, answered: 'We had to reckon with other Powers.'" j

Tho ox-Kaiser continues: "I found out what T had always feared —tliat tho Anplo-French Agreement had been the main effect in stopping the French from helping you. It goes without saying that if Franco had been under an obligation to help you with her Fleet or Army, I would not liavo budged a finger to harm Tier, for that would have been illogical on tlio part of tho author of tho picture 'The Yellow Peril.' I am sure that England will renew her efforts to propose mediation to you. Tt is a fact, and I know that is Harding's spccial mission, though you strongly repudiate it: which is presuming in the extreme on England's part, seeing that the war has only hegnn. She is afraid for lier money, and wants to get Tflwt cheaply. T will cortainly try to dismiado Uncle Bertie as soon as I meet him from liarrassing you with any moro proposals. Should mediation in the course of events seem desirable, it is clear that tho first wish must come from you, nnd you may bo suro I am always at your disposal. I Calked over tho * matter about the Commercial Treaty with my Chancellor. You suggest sending Count Witte. Wo would wolcomo him. Tlio sooner you invest him with powers to negotiate, tho Letter for our two countries. I wonder what I am going to hear from Uncle Bertie at Kiel."