KAISER IN THE HOLY LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 7

KAISER IN THE HOLY LAND.

impressions of his TOUR. QUARRELS of THE churches FRENCH LOSS OF PRESTIGE. By Telegraph—Pros* Association— (Received 3.10 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Jan, 5. In to-day's instalment of 'the letters written by the Kaiser to the late Tsar of Russia tho Kaiser has sent "Nicky" his impressions of Jerusalem, where hi? religious sentiments received a shock. After describing his emotions in treading the ground where the Saviour trod, he adds: "The manifold and different confessions and sects of the common Christian faith have done much in the way of church buil ling on the so-called traditional places. It has beer something of a race far the highest towers or the biggest churches, which do not harmonise with the sites on which they are erected, or, in fact, one could call it an exhibition of church models. Fostering of Hatreds.

"This also has affected the cler-' gies cf the different churches, who take pleasure in intrigues and political designs, fostering hatred instead of love, and leading t:> free fights and battles in the churcnes, instead of psaims and friendly intercourse, j Worst still they have created a "wor-1 ship of stones and wood, forbidden 1 in the Second Commandment, instead of the Divinity itself. Very naturally this fetish adoration has created supreme contempt for the Christians with the Moslems. I felt profoundly ashamed before the Moslems, and if I had come without any religion I certainly would have turned Moslem. The way religion is understood in Jerusalem will never convert a single Moslem. "I return home with the firm conviction that the Saviour's grave certainly is not beneath the Church of Saint Sepulchre, which in appearance and decoration compares badly with the Mosque of Omar, in its i simple and awe-inspiring grandeur." i The Kaiser believed that the as-; tounding reception he was ac- j corded was due to his friendship ; for the Sultan, because "I always _ employed a loyal policy toward him, . and the same I so often advocated!: for you, too." The Kaiser adds j that hatred of the English is grow -! ing more intense- and also there is a growing and open contempt for France.

The Fashoda Incident. i "That is the' unavoidable consequence of the terrible quagmire France is now floundering in over her internal affairs," he proceeds, i: splashing dirt right and left until the whole of Europe reeks with the stench. Here people look upon them as a dying nation, especially since the ignominious Fashoda retreat. What on earth possessed them, after such a well-arranged and plucky expedition as that of poor brave Marchandl They were in a first-rate position and able to help us and others in Africa who are sorely in need of strong help. The news has come as a thunderbolt on the Eastern people. "If it is true, ar the papers say, that Count Mour< rieff counselled France to take this foolish step, he is singularly ill-advised. It has given our friends and allies a mortal blow here, and brought down their ancient prestige, never to rise again. The Moslems call it France's second Sedan." The Kaiser concludes his Eastern impressions by warning "Nicky" that Turkey is very roach alive, and not a dying man. "Beware of the Mussulman if you touch his national honour of his Kaliph," he adds. Writing in August, 1901, the Kaiser refers to the coming visit of the Tsar to the German fleet. He wishes the Tsar to understand that the fleet is just in the act of expansion and transformation, which is a drawback to its outward appearance, causing it to display a lamentable want of harmony and homogenousness. He also thanks the Tsar for'sympathy over "My poor dear Mama. Her suffering, however, was so terrible, that one could only loot upon the end as a release."