CABLE NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2136, 11 March 1908, Page 3

CABLE NEWS

" THE KAISER’S LETTER. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. Tlnitod Press Association —Copyright LONDON, March 9. A correspondent, recognised as an authority, in a letter to the “Times," implies that Lord Twecdmouth sent the Kaiser an advance copy of the Navy estimates before presentation to Pa rliaiuent. BEK LIN, March 9. The Berlin Tagehlatte ridicules the 'T pretence that the Kaiser’s letter can \ be treated as a private utterance if connected with tlie foreign policy. , LONDON, March 9. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr Balfour, Mr Asquith stated that lie had nothing to add except that Lord Twecdmouth, before reviving to the Kaiser’s letter, showed it'to Sir Edward Grey, who agreed that it was not official and should bo treated as eonlidental. STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. LOUD TWEED MOUTH'S EXPLANATION. United Press Association—Copyright (Received March 10, 9.39 n.m.) LONDON, March 0. Lord Twecdmouth, premising that he understood some members were inclined to ask questions about the extraordinary outburst in the press, explained that the Kaiser’s letter fame by ordinary post. Sir E. orev agreed that he should tro.it it as private and unofficial. He had replied on the 20th in the same friendly and informal manner, and he now said:—“l beg to assuro your Lordships that I firmly believe the course adopted was a good one, and calculated to do what we all so much desire, namely, to do our utmost to foster the good understanding between the German Empire and ourselves.” Lord Lansdowne, in a suave and discriminating speech, accepted the statement, and remarked that what had been most worthy of attention was less the outburst than the , substratum of facts, whereon the outburst was founded. It appeared that the letter was unsolicited and unoffi- , cinl, and in a friendly tone towards Britain, and resembled- a verbal communication which might with propriety pass between a great sovereign and a .’British Minister.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. “PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.” United Press Association —Copyright (Received March 10, 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. In the Commons, in the course of his renly to Mr. Balfour, Mr. As- ** liuitli added that it was clearly out of the question to lay on the table private and personal correspondence. Lieut.-Cot. Lockwood asked whether the communication, on so highly ail important question between the Kaiser and Lord Tweedmouth, could be in any wav regarded as private and confidential, and said that he had nothing to add to modify or quality it- in any way. Lieut.-Coloneil Lockwood suggested that an opportunity should be given to the House of discussing Lord IVeedmoutli’s conduct in the matter. Mr. Asquith did not reply. It was afterwards known that it was at, Mr. Balfour’s instance that Lieut.-Col. Lockwood refrained from moving an adjournment of the. House.