SECRET LETTERS.
EX-KAISER ON THE PRESS. A BITTER ATTACK. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— l Copyright. Received Jan. 23, 9.35 p.m. London', Jan. 20. The Kaiser, writing from Corfu in May, 1909, confines himself to a lengthy diatribe'against the Press. He says: "A few weeks ago, when affairs threatened to hecoane dangerous, your wise arid courageous decision secured peace for all nations. I am most grateful that through my helping cooperation you were able to fulfill your task. I naturally expected you and I would win universal applause, but, to my regret and astonishment, a great many blame us both instead, especially the Press, which in general behaved in the basest way against me. "By some papers I am being credited with being the author of annexation, and accused, among other rot and nonsense, of having humiliated Russia by my peace proposals. You know better. PUBLIC OPINION.
"Yet the fact that papers create public opinion must be taken note of. Some err through ignorance and lack of information, and scarcely see further than their own noses, but what is more dangerous and loathesome is that the Press writes what it is paid for, and scoundrels who do such dirty work are in no danger of starving. "They continue to incite national hostility, and when at last, through their hellish devjees, they have brought about the desired collision, they placidly sit down and watch the fight, well assured that the profit will be theirs, no matter what the issue may be. This, in nine-ty-nine cases out of a hundred, is what is vulgarly called public opinion. It is mere forgery. THE DUTY OF SOVEREIGNS. "As sovereigns we are responsible to God for a nation's welfare. It ia our duty closely to study the genesis and development of 'public opinion' before allowing it to influence our action. Should we find it takes its origin from the tarnished and gutter-like t jurces of an infamous Press it is our duty energetically to correct and resist it. Personally I am totally indifferent to newspaper gossip, but I feel a certain anxiety that, if uncontradicted at once, foul and filthy lies so freely circulated tend to create bitterness between our countries." OUTLOOK IN TURKEY. The Kaiser hoped for a quiet holiday in Corfu, "but, alas, another revolution broke out at Constantinople. We poor rulers, it seems, are not entitled to holidays like simple mortals. Troubles in the East make me anxious. Kindly write me your opinion aDout, the Turkish outlook. An exchange of views is necessary lest fresh events again take us by surprise." Writing in January,' 1910, the Kaiser tells "Nicky" it has given him "great satisfaction to learn of the decision to withdraw four of your army corps from our frontier, especially as you make reference to our brotherhood in arms established a century ago."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE BALANCE' OF POWER. Received Jan. 23, 11.25 p.m. London, Jan. 20., Writing from Corfu, in May, 1911, the Kaiser draws "Nicky's" attention to tin article in the German Press written by an intimate friend of "Uncle Bertie," an English politician, with the intention to persuade Germans to think better of ''Uncte's" policy thjn they do now. "As you see for yourself the greatest anxiety which governed "Uncle'' for England's future iva* the possibility of cioser friendship between Germany, Russia, and Austria, which lie regarded as dangeroiir. for England. Therefore he tried to oppose it by all the means in his power. That explains the Engilsh newspapers' perpetual use of the phrase, "balance of power in Europe." The Kaiser adds; "I go to London for Grandmama's unveiling at George's invitation. I hope to find out more about this." HOPES OF PEACE. The Kaiser, at the close of 1912, sought to enlist the Tsar's support in the construction of a line from Suvalki to Pablindzen to join up with the German line, and open up and develop frontier trade ir the Rominton region. The Kaiser opens the 1913 correspondence with the usual hopes of peace. He expresses his opinion that the outlook is reassuring, as the discussions at London are progressing favourablv and in a conciliatory spirit.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.
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Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1920, Page 5
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690SECRET LETTERS. Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1920, Page 5
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