ANGLO-GERMAN RUPTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 67, 9 March 1908, Page 3

ANGLO-GERMAN RUPTURE.

HIS QUESTIONABLE CORRESPONDENCE. ' STATEMENT BY LORD TWEEDMOUTH. A PURELY PERSONAL LETTER. JfO REFERENCE TO BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES. MORE LIGHT WANTED. London, March 0.

Lord Tweedniouth authorises the statement that the Kaiser's letter was purely persona), and did not contain any reference to the British naval estiFor the further information of Parliament, Lord Tweedniouth added that the letter was not addressed to him in his capacity of First Lord of the Admiralty. Lord Tweedniouth's secretary, interviewed, said the letter did not contain any reference to the British naval estimates in the way suggested. He declined to say whether it referred A' the German naval policy.

The Westminster Gazette agrees with the general principle that it is ineonivjenient for a sovereign to correspond with Ministers of another Power. "But." the paper adds, "the Kaiser is unconventional, and when he departs from the ways of tradition, it must in nowise be assumed that he is guilty of some Machiavellian design upon the innoeense or independence of his neighbors. Nothing conld be more absurd than the suggestion that Lord Tweedmouth would be influenced towards etonomy by the Kaiser's representations.'' Other newspapers ask for more light.

: STATEMENT IN THE COMMONS. , LETTERS DECLARED TO BE PRIVATE. KOT COMMUNICATED TO CABINET. Received March 8, 4.30 p.m. > London, March 7. Replying to questions in the House Of Commons, Mr. Asquith stated that on 28th February Lord Tweedmouth received from the Kaiser a purely private personal letter, conceived in an entirely friendly spirit. The answer to that letter was- equally private and informal Neither the one letter nor th.> other was known nor communicated to the Cabinet. Mr. Asquith said he might add, in view ot some of the suggestions being made, that before the Kaiser's letter was' received by Lord Tweedmonth, Cabinet had come to a final decision regarding the Naval Estimates for the year. The suggestion was received with cheers. . .t'ii THE KAISER EXPLAINS. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. : DENIES INTERFERING WITH BRITISH NAVAL PLANS. CLAIMS RIGHT TO CORRECT ERRONEOUS VIEWS. Received March 8, 4.30 p.m. Berlin, March 7.

The Foreign Office at Berlin has authorised Reuters correspondent to make the following official statement:—

"It is untrue that the Kaiser attempted to interfere with British natal plans. His letter merely corrected certain erroneous views

prevalent in England regarding the

German fleet. The Emperor is no ' tyro in naval matters, and this step he Ead a perfect right to take as a naval expert and as a yachtsman, and as such he was recognised in England. Just as the Emperor would reject any foreign attempt to decide the proportions of Germany's fleet, he would repudiate any idea of interfering in the affairs ; of the British Navy."

PAIXFLX IMPRESSION IX GERMANS EITtOPE AND AMERICA INTERESTED. KAISER RESENTED BRITISH COM MENTS ON HIS NAVY. CAUSTIC PRESS COMMENT. Received March 8, 4.40 p.m. BerUn, March 8. Tie Kaiser's letter caused a painful impression in Germany, an uncomfortable feeling in Vienna, and lively comment in France and America.

The Kaiser, in the course of conversation, frequently resented the comments of British newspapers in singling out the German navy, and not the American or French.

The Daily Telegraph »»ys the Kaiser's letter declared that the German fleet was one fifth the size of that of Britain, and therefore there was no groufid lor bitterness. The Times considers it may construe Mr. Asquiths remark as a repudiation, on behalf 01 the Cabinet, of official r»eponsibility for the matter. The Post holds there can be no relation between a foreign sovereign and i British Minister who is a servant of the King, and responsible to Cabinet. The Spectator says, assuming the letter was an attempt to influence the naval policy of Lord Tweedmouth's, the proper course was to tell the Kaiser politely that the matter was not am with which he could d>al, and suggest the Foreign Office as a vehicle for the conveyance of the Kaiser's pacific assurance.

The Chronole severely criticised Lord Tweedmouth for not communicating the letter or his reply to Cabinet but pro- > Deeding to talk about the matter. The Kaiser was indiscreet in writing to a Minister on topics closely relating to the Admiralty. A friendly discussion between the two Governments relating to armaments had repeatedly been desired by the British Government but no favorable response came from Berlin. Private correspondence between the K»iger and Lord Tweedmouth-is quite an other and less desirable thing. If the incident prepares the way for official communications towards the arrest of new naval construction both nation-* lave c<ju»t reason to rejoice. The Daily Mail "say run-water arose from Lord Esher's letter to the fcui*, era of the Imperial Maritime League" dated January 27th and published on February Oth declaring there was not a man in Germany, from the Kaiser dowuwards, who would not welcome Admir.il TUherV downfall. The Mail add- that the Kaiser trenchantly commented thereon, scarifying 1/ird F.-licr.