EMPEROR KARL'S LATEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 8

EMPEROR KARL'S LATEST

*- "A TIME FOR KINGS TO STICK TOGETHER". A LETTER TO KING FERDINAND London, Alay 31 (Correspondence of the a. P.).—A private letter written to King Feidinaml of Kuiuuniii by Emperor Charles of Austria-Hungary in the latter part of February marked t'lifi turning point in llumiinm's participation , in the world war, «,nd' was one of the deciding factors in the long series of intrigues which eventually broke tiic spirit of the ltuiiMiiiiiii King, Under the outside pressure King Ferdinand changed from an ardent supporter of the war aguinet Germany into a lukewarm and vacillating opportunist, and finally into a distinct peace advocate. "This is a, time when kings must stick together."

, This is the most striking sentence of Hie ■letter of Emperor Karl. The letter has never been published, and its [ existenceup to this time has been known I to only a few persons outside the highest i court circles in Humanin. A summary of its contents was communicated to the American Minister and to the Associated Press correspondent in Jassy by a high official, whoi is one of the most steadfast friends of the Allies at the Rumanjan Court. Monarchies in Danger. In intimate tones the Austrian Emperor directed the attention of King Ferdiiiand to the great danger for all monarchical institutions from the wave of Socialism which was sweeping eastern Europe. Ho drew a heartfelt picture of the danger to -Austria from the spread of Bolshevism across the Russian border, and declared that the Russian dynasty was in equal danger from the §amo source. He pleaded with the Rumanian King to join with other monarchies in Europe in the death grapple with demo* cracy, and promised that if Ferdinand would abandon the Allies Germany and Austria would support him 'in retaining his throne. After portraying Rumania as abandoned by the Allies, and helpless before the powerful Central Empires, Emperor Karl closed his letter with the sentence quoted abuve. King Ferdinnnd's letter to Alexander llargliiloniaii, the Rumanian Premier thanking him for the conclusion of peace marked the final step in the King's surrender to the dogma of Emperor Karl that kings must stick togetJier. 'I,'he earlier attitude of King Ferdinand towards the war offers a* striking contrast to tho subservient tone of his .letter this month to Premier Marghiloman. As late as mid-February the King expressed to the Associated Press correspondent a desire that an interview or a statement showing his loyal adhwonco to tho alliance with the Entente should be published in the United States. An audience was arranged, and the King insisted in speaking English, although he is not a master of English, because, he soul, lie was anxious to make his position absolutely clear lo the American people, and thought that it could bo done better in plain English than through a translation from the French or Rumanian. ' Unfortunately, the interview was started to the United Slates by way of Odessa, A strike of Bolshevik telegraph operators there prevented it from going any farther. His Earlier Peace Declaration. On the subject of peace proposals by I lie Central Powers, which was then tho all-importaut 6\ibjeet in Jassy, the King, in the interview, declared: "It would be unthinkable for Rumania to accept peace without the consent of her allies. For Rumania to make such a. peaco would be an act of dishonour."

Concerning his relations with the Gor man and Austrian Emperors, tho Kin; snid : ' , ■ .

"1 can understand sovereigns being angry against each other, but I cannot understand them entertaining feelings ot hatred towards ono'another. A sovereign cannot always act according to his personal dictates or according to family ties, but must carry out the will anil interest of his people."

In looking over the final draft of the interviews, the King said he wished to emphasise particularly the closing paragraph, in which he had expressed hope that around the iinsil peace table' lluinania's welfare would be the particular care and solicitude of the American delegates. He called for his coloured pencils, and underlined in blue, then in red, eacli line of the closing paragraph, which said:—

"For the never failing support aud sympathy of your great Government and ipeoplo 1 wish you to convoy to the entire American nation Urn heartfelt gratitude of my people and myself. That splendid support and sympathy encourages ns to believe that when the flag of jwaco is unfurled throughout Europe, and tyheii the nations of-(he earth meet to adjust their differences, America will not forget her ally and friend in the faroff Balkans. We hope that at- the final peace table America, as the foremost exponent of the principles of national liberty, will raise its powerful voice on belmlf of tlio nation that has suffered and sacrificed in order that those sacred principles might be achieved." Within a short time after the interview King Ferdinand's attitude began to undergo a change, and the breach between him and ihe Queen on the question of peace began to grow wider. A powerful court party brought continual pressure to tear on the King in support "Of every German peace intrigue, and the- King yielded rapidly to this pressure. Queen Marie, on the other hand, was adamant, and she made valiant efforts to rally tho army aud the anti-German element to her side. In March she visited the cntire'Rumanian front with the object of solidifying and consolidating the antipeace sentiment in the active army. The soldiers generally responded to her appeal,- but her hopes and efforts were all for naught.