"RUSSIA'S FAITHFUL FRIEND"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 94, 15 January 1920, Page 5

"RUSSIA'S FAITHFUL FRIEND"

o SYMPATHISES WITH "NICKY" AT FALL OF PORT ARTHUR SEEKS SHIPBUILDING ORDERS By Telegraph—Pre?? ABsociation-Copyright (Rec. January 15, 1.5 a.m.) London, January 12-To-day's instalment of the Kaiser's letters to the late Tsar deals largely with personal matters. In January, li'os, the Kaiser refers to the sensation caused by tho fall of Port Arthur, and, expresses the deepest sympathy with the valiant general and bravo diminishing band of heroes who strove to the utmost to fulfil their duty to tho Emperor and tho country. The Kaiser proceeds: "I hopo that you will not fancy that I intrude on your privacy when I beg you to tell me your plans for the future, so that if possible 1 may make myself useful to you and shape my policy. I prefer being informed by yourself directly, as I have firmly stood to you and your country as a faithful friend." Tho Kaiser continues: "Now that' the irogrammo for the renewal of your fleet is published, I hops that you will not forget to remind your authorities to _ remember our great firms at Stettin, Kiel, etc." Advice as to Russian Reform. A later letter, written in 1905, refers characteristically to the terrible massacre of people gathered to present a petition to the Tsar in front of tho Winter Palace. Tho Kaiser says: "You have been through serious trouble owing to Ihe effervescence and agitation among tho lower classes. lam glad your soldiers showed themselves reliable and true to their Emperor. Tho reception of a deputation of workmen made a good impression everywhere and showed them tliov could see Jtho face of their dear father if they asked this honour in due form." The Kaiser proceeds to discuss reports of the plans to reform Russia. Ho says: 'The most sensible and best adapted to the people and their customs, in my humblo opinion, seems to be the formation of a body of men chosen from the best and ablest heads of the different Zemstvos. This body would be attached to and advise the Imperial Council at which the Tsar would preside from time to time. In this way you would ensuro tho executive once and for all to . tho autocratic Tsar and not. to tho leading Ministers."—iV.is.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.