MR BURT ON HIS BERLIN EXPERIENCES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 480, 14 June 1890, Page 3

MR BURT ON HIS BERLIN EXPERIENCES.

His Views as to the Kaiser and

Prince of Wales.

The ‘Newcastle Leader’ has interviewed Mrßurb on bis experiences at the Berlin Conference. ‘I think,’ said Mr Burt, «that the selection of Sir J. Gorst was one of the best possible. I have had a good deal to do with Sir John Gorst in different ways, and I have always found him full of a sincere sympathy with the working classes and with working-class movements. I sat with him on the Commission on Loss of Life at Sea. If he had had a retaining fee on behalf of the sailors he could not have shown greater ability and zeal in their interests. In other matters I have found Sir John Gorst not only to be well informed on working-class movements, bub to have a strong sympathy with what I regard as the better side of Unionist efiort. At the Conference he showed marked familiarity with labour questions, and sympathy with the policy espoused by the trades unionists of this country. He never lost an opportunity of showing the advantages that had accrued, not only to workmen but to capitalists, by the policy aimed at recently by our labour societies. Mr Dale spoke French with fluency, and, as an employer, is very liberal-minded. In the discussions he strongly urged, as the best means of settling disputes, frank intercourse with the workmen and the recognition by the employers of the unions of the men. A resolution in favour of arbitration adopted by the Conference owes its origin mainly to him. Mr Burnett, whose abilities you know, was of immense service. It was noticeable how much more like the English all the German representatives were than any other of the nations of Europe.’ _ # * What was your impression of the Emperor, Mr Burt?’—‘Well, I think his general appearance argues a want of weight and balance. His head betokens energy rather than breadth. But he struck me as sincere. He is extremely well-informed. He talked with all the representatives, each in bis own language. The Frenchmen were very much astonished at the excellent way in which he spoke their tongue. He has certainly energy—perhaps too much—but the Hohenzollerns have always made reigning a business, and have conducted it with the same laboriousness, the same industry, and the same activity as a man pursues a professional career.’ *ls there much feeling against him in Germany with regard to tho retirement of Prince Bismarck ‘ I had no great opportunities of mixing with Germans, but I found nowhere, except, perhaps, at the English Embassy, a belief existing that the resignation of Prince Bismarck had been voluntary. It was to the effect that he had probably resigned, or offered his resignation, as he had often done before, but that in this case the difference had been that it was accepted. I was told by persons whose opinion, I believe, is of weight, that in internal politics of late years the influence of Biemarck has not been of the most healthy character. It has been throughout too repressive.’ * But, Mr Burt, is not the attitude of tho Emperor himself based upon the idea of repression ?’— ‘ That may be ; but he, at least in the opinion of some of the Germans, is making an efiort to meet the new ideas of social reform.'

* You are not much of a courtier, Mr Burt: how did you get over the ceremonial partin the receptions ?’— ‘ Well, I could nob say I enjoyed it; bub I went through whatever had to be done. From a spectacular point of view, the reception of the Emperor and Empress was the most brilliant affair I have ever seen. The generals in uniform, thecostumes of the different nationalities, the glitter of stars and medals, of lace and steel made a scene such as one witnesses but seldom, if ever, in a country like ours, where State ceremonial is reduced to narrow limits. One or two world-wide celebrities were there —Moltke, Count Herbert Bismarck and others. Bismarck looks like a great man ; the veteran general does nob. He is thin and spare of feature, and seems a man who is a specialist rather than of broad and general grandeur of character.’ ‘ Wore there no State receptions but this one?’—‘Oh, yes. The Empress Frederick had a function at her house, to which all the English representatives were invited, and which they attended. It was not an occasion of great ceremony. I was very greatly struck with the fine character and bearing of the widowed Empress. She is not specially popular in Berlin. The Berliners think she might be more lavish in her spending. In the course of the evening the Prince of Wales came in, and made himself very agreeable, his hearty laughter making everybody at home.’ ‘Had you any talk with mm? — C A little.*

‘Don’t you think the Prince may bo a popular king yet?’— ‘ Very likely. Considering that I have been all these years voting against Royal grants in Parliament, I think it was very good of him to be so civil.’ . *lg there any other point, Mr Burt, upon which you desire anything ?’— ‘ No. I have said more than I wanted to,’*