LETTERS OF EX-KAISER

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 10

LETTERS OF EX-KAISER

WAR SCARE IN 1905 “PEACE—FOR THE PRESENT.” A vivid picture of Wilhelm 11. in his political shirt sleeves is provided by two moro of iiis private letters to Prince Benlow (then Imperial Chancellor), which are published by the ‘Berliner Tageblatt.’ Whether in respect to foreign or domestic affairs, the German Emperor is seen dismissing matters involving the lives of thousands of people with an inconsequential jocularity which normal beings confine to personal trifles. The first letter, dated August JU, 1905, begins with the following reflection on the Treaty of Portsmouth, which put an end to tho Russo-Japan-ese War:— Well at last! A. difficult accoiichruent! Theodore Roosevelt has dono his business capitally! How ho must have knouted the Japanese! But tho Japanese, too, are sensible people and dropped (ho original conditions—at any rate, as considered as objects of barter. Interesting is the absolute refusal of Britain to support Roosevelt by pressure on the. allied Japanese; and good that this thorn remains sticking in the President's side. Jt is noteworthy that during the negotiations the Americans gradually turned away from the Japanese and inclined to the Russians—in spite of Witte—a moot that they sec farther than England and feel the community of tlie white race, which ought to have the sense of solidarity against the yellow. In point of fact, it is really a race, question, and the antagonism between yellow and white will soon bo felt between America and Japan, as the Japanese will never forgive flic Americans for having beaten them down so. The Emperor then turns to a warship launch at Stettin, of which be writes:— English naval olliccrs wore not present since the A'ulcan Company Jin cl refused to admit them, with the remark that it was not authorised to allow foreigners to be present. On the other hand, there collected a large, number of English correspondents, who expected a big speech from mo and ray fraternisation proposal, as well as a visit on my part to their admiral. They pulled very long and disappointed faces when nothing at all happened, and no notice was taken of them, and these faces will have been really sincere for once in a way. Of tho remainder of the letter the only point now of general interest E that tho writer prophesies that ho will “get well prepared voting cattle” in the event of the Reichstag being dissolved on the naval question.

“BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.” In the second letter the Emperor deals with the Western European question like a hull in a china shop. It is dated December 31, 1905. and takes as its text a report that Franco had “clandestinely spent 150,000,000 (? marks) on preparations for war. ” The Emperor continues;— That they would gladly arrange a Eashoda for ns is intelligible and not improbable. To do England the favour of taking upon ourselves the i odium of an attack on France over Morocco, so that she might at last have tho longed-for opportunity of falling upon us under tho pretty pretence ol d supporting outraged weakness,’ is not in our interest, ami is also no programme to arouse tho enthusiasm ol our people. Above all, in the eyes of other “spectator” States which cannot stand us, it would put right apparently—on the side ol our opponent, If, dear Bculow, you arc counting with the prospect of the possibility ol a war which might result from France’s attitude at the Morocco conference, you must look round energetically lor our allies. It would bo absolutely necessary to call on these for their help, lor their existence, too, would be at stake, since it would he a world war Above all, an alliance would, have to bo made at once with the Sultan couto qui coutc, which would place the resources of Mohammedanism in a most comprehensive manner—under Prussian leadership—at my disposal, and the same witli the Arabian rulers. For alone wo arc not in a position to carry on war against the Gaul and England allied. “UNPREPARED FOR WAR.” After pointing out that, owing to the rearming of both the artillery and infantry, Germany was “ not in a condition in which I, as Supreme War Lord, would offhand stake my army with a light heart, and especially on account of Morocco,” the Emperor continues: “ In point of fact the defect of the situation lies in this; that (1) our diplomacy in England has completely failed to get on with Edward VII. and to win him over; (2) our Press in a most shameless manner—-consciously and unconsciously—has irritated and mortified the English to tho quick; (3) that the Reichstag through its refusal to develop and increase the fleet dur- 1 ing the first ten years of our reign j has put us so far behind tho other | naval Powers that we are bordering on impotence. We are absolutely defenceless against a combined France-Eng-land fleet. We should in past years have tried more with tho system of compromises and agreements (this word is English in tho original), which Edward VII. knows how to pursue in such a masterly manner, instead of always taking up the piqued standpoint of the injured one in the matter of rights. Here again our dog of a Press has committed liorrible sins. For the windows broken by it since 1896 the hills I foretold are now being presented. So 1 should he directed in such a way that, so far as is possible, the decision of war will be spared us for the present. Moreover, in such a moment as the present, when the Socialists are openly preaching and preparing rebellion, I cannot send one single man out of the country without the gravest danger for the lives and property of its citizens. First shoot down, decapitate, and render innocuous the Socialists —if necessary with a blood hath—and then a foreign war! But not before, and not a tempo!” This last passage makes curious reading at a time when tho post of Chancellor and two other leading German Ministries arc held by Socialists,