THE NEW PEACEMAKER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15810, 28 December 1911, Page 6

THE NEW PEACEMAKER.

The decoration that the Kaiser lias bestowed upon liis Minister of Foreign Affaire will be regarded generally as implying a rebuke to the angry PanGermans, who are saying that their country has been humiliated by Britain and France. There seems to be no doubt that Germany’s ruler used his influence to promote a peaceful settlement of the Moroccan quarrel, and well-informed newspaper correspondents have hinted that ho is strongly supporting liis Chancellor in refusing to make a hid for popular favour by raising a Jingo cry on the eve of the Reichstag elections. The events of the next few weeks will throw further light on this story, but in any case it is evident that the “ Wnr Lord” has been sustaining an entirely new character. Ho seems to be no longer tho impetuous soldier who endangered the peace of Europe by sending an indiscreet cablegram to President Kruger. British statesmen, who used to regard the Kaiser as a firebrand, have come to believe that he is personally a powerful factor in shaping German opinion and checking the growth of warlike sentiments. When the Chancel lor , made his momentous “peace speech” in the Reichstag early last month a majority of the members were opposed to him, and an angry uproar followed his declaration that, “ a strong man docs not peed to be ever carrying his sword in his mouth.” But the German Press appears to have understood clearly that the Kaiser stood behind Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg. The incident was given emphasis by the conduct of tho Crown Prince, who was heartily applauded by the Conservative Press for his display of Pan-Gorman sentiment in' the royal gallery at the Reichstag and as warmly condemned by the Liberal journals. The Kaiser’s reproof of his son, who was sent summarily from tho capital, was a vindication of the peace party. ‘lt would be a strange development if Germany’s “ War Lord ” should seriously assume tho mantle of his uncle Edward the Peacemaker.