MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1909. TSAR AND KAISER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 6

MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1909. TSAR AND KAISER.

—« : The Tsah, escorted by a fleet of crnisors and torpedo-boats—one of the latter repeating tho exploit of tho RozhdesvenSky fleet of firing on an unarmed British vessel—has msfc the German Emperor off the cast . coast , of. Sweden, and, although the cables report only" the social amenities between the two' rulers, there is every reason to believe that questions of import havo. been under discussion. It has been a meeting of the foremost Russian and German diplomats,, and may be regarded in the political firmament as the most: important event of the.summer. The visit of the Kajser on board tho Standart, extending over the greator part ,of the, day, londs colour to the statements of the Russian press that the meeting is intrinsically an 'overture of friendship and reconciliation on the part of the Kaiser following Germany's audacious coup d'etat with Austria in recognising the annexation by the. latter of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whereby a rift was effected in tho solidarity of the great Slav race and Russian susceptibilities offended at a dangerous and vulnerable point. It has been stated in pre vious Cablegrams that in well-informed circles in Berlin it is believed that one of the chief subjects to be discussed is the question of Poland in all its aspects. This 'may be correct, but, no doubt, other matters of moment to Europe will be discussed. Polish disaffection is an interesting faot in contemporary history, and bedrs a vital relation to the well-being of Germany and Russia. The Poles represent a nation of somo fifteen millions of people, conscious of a great and historic past, and in no respect inferior in point of character or capability to any other . nation ia Eurosc. Tho; rciuw hither to

die out or he assinrlrated, and do not for a moment let go their claim to what they • have every right—full and entire liberty. The spirit of the nation is again asserting itself; tho memory of that terrible time toward the close of the eighteenth century, when the first partition of Poland took place, is ever fresh, and is attested in perpetual unrest and fermentation ever growing in strength and full of potentialities. Polish hatred of Russia, and of Germany, deepens as the national spirit-grows, stronger, and is said to have now reached a strength and volume which must sooner or later take concrete and emphatic form. The Government of St. Petersburg long ago recognised the impossibility of forcing the Polish nation into the unity with Russia that it desired, although a policy of severe and inexorable, oppression still continues. Russian rule in Poland is purely despotic, which, with such a nation, can only lead to revolution and bloodsheds

The case of Prussian Poland is very different. It has been well said that in politics, as in science, Germany aims at thorougbness-at tho absolute—and is now bent on carrying out the policy inaugurated by Bismarck—the conversion of the Poles into "good and loyal subjects of Prussia." The policy is expressed in language simple enough, but behind it is one of the most thorough Administrations in the world, an Administration restrained by few- scruples where weaker nations are concerned, and in whoso hands measures that to other Governments less in earnest might appear vacillating and. impotent assume, under the German standard, a purpose full of determination and tenacity. But the most grinding and thorough administrative machinery has not crushed the abundant, vigorous, national spirit, a spirit that still, pulsates throughout every class of Polish Boeiety, from ono end of the scale to the other. It is said that Germany has committed tho error of judging by appearances. She has failed; to take into account the most essential feature of the Polish temperament—intense individualism, and love of country—which, expressed'in the _ aggregate, is an inextinguishable patriotism, and tho Kaiser's cpeech "at Marienburg in 1904;' when ho called upon his people .to unite in a crusade against "Polish, arrogance and self-conceit," was not the least of a long line of political blunders and indiscretions. Germany feels the Polish danger as a menace to part of her Empire, and in view of other and larger designs every care must be taken to ensure safety and homogeneity within her European frontiers; distractions, at home, when graver and more far-reaching issues are pending, .might involve the whole Empire in disaster. Tho Kaiser's policy in Poland, in striking at tho owners of the land, its language, and its religion, is directed against natural laws, and, is being • met by a,most determined and .energetic resistance, Under resourceful and intellectual leadership, there are several strong political parties at work in Poland that keep the one object steadily in view—absolute freedom of religion and language, and final political autonomy. To:.this ond the Vatican, staunch in; its protection . of the Polish Catholic party, lendß powerful support, and never has ecclesi : astical diplomacy displayed finer'genius or more adroitness than in the numerous passage's-at-arms between tho two .groat I Latin and Greek branches of the Church. I Whatever; tho outcome of the conference j between the Tsar and Kaisbr and their Ministers, sympathies of other;, nations will go out to Poland in its long and uni equal struggle, and the civilized world I will feel relieved if a history whose pages I record only scenes and incidents, rife with horror and despair, shall give way Ito freedom and happiness. It will bo j noted from'our cable news that the Russian press is not at all sympathetic in its attitude toward a possible alliance with Germany. It prefers a continuance of the existing relations with France and Britain. .This was only to be-expected. The recorit severe affront placed on Russia by the Kaiser will not be soon forgotten. As the Bourse Qmette significantly remarks: "The time is past when Russian policy depends on Berlin."