KAISER AND THE LUSITANIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1917, Page 2

KAISER AND THE LUSITANIA.

"3TO GENTLEMAN WOULD HAVE KILLED SO MANY."

I have told in another chapter how the Emperor had refused to receive me as Ambassador of a country which was supplying munitions to the Allies, writes Mr. Gerard, late U.S. Ambassador to Berlin, in his. memoirs in the Daily Telegraph. From the time since I learn•et! to this, in March, 1015, I kept insisting noon my right as Ambassador to be received by the Emperor, and finally, early in October, 1915, I wrote the following letter to the Chancellor:—

"Your Excellency,—Some time ago I requested you to arrange an audience for 'me with His Majesty. Please take no' further trouble about this matter.—Sincerely yours. James W. Gerard." ' This seemed tu have the desired effect, I was informed I would be received by the Emperor in the New Palace, Potsdam, on October 22. The Emperor was alone in the room. He was standing, so naturally 1 also stood, and, according to his habit, which is quite Roosevelt.ian, he stood very close to me and talked very earnestly-.

I was fortunately jiblu to clear up two distinct points which he had against JAmerica. The Emperor said he had read in a German paper that a number of *ub,niitrines, built in America for England, had crossed the Atlantic to England, 'escorted by ships of the American navy. I was, of course, able to deny this ridiculous story at the time, and I furnished definite proofs later. The Emperor complained because a loan to England ami France had been floated in America. 1 said the first loan to a belligerent floated in America was a loan to Germany. The 'Emperor sent for some of his staff, and immediately inquired into the matter. A 'member of the staff confirmed my statement.

The Emperor said he would not have permitted the torpedoing of the Lusitania if ho had known it, and that no gentleman would kill so many women and children. The Emperor showed great bitterness against the United 'States, and repeatedly said: "America 'had better look out after this war," and "I shall stand no nonsense from America after the war." . The interview lasted about an hour and a-quarter, and when I finally emerged from the room the officers of the ■Emperor's household were in such a state of agitation that I felt sure they must have thought something fearful had occurred.