THE KAISER'S INTERVIEW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14382, 27 November 1908, Page 6

THE KAISER'S INTERVIEW.

The fuller account now available of the famous interview between the Kaiser and a representative Englishman,' published some weeks ago by the London Daily Telegraphy "while-not adding much to the essence of its contents as previously cabled, gives some idea of the language iu which the Emperor William is said to have couched, his outspoken remarks and of the reasons why the Reichstag was so annoyed about the matter. The Kaiser spoke with,extraordinary freedom for a monarch. He declared that lies feels it a, personal insult that those who distort and' misinterpret his actions should be listened to in England, that one of his dearest wishes, is to live on the best terms with that country, that it taxes his patience severely to, be for ever misjudged and to have his repeated oilers of friend ship weighed and scrutinised, with jealous, mistrustful eyes, and that the English are. as madi as March hares. It is sad to think that the Imperial tongue has had to take refuge in the expression of a belief oneo very common on the Continent. We see now, however, from its fuller context/ that the interview, though not wanting in dignity, lacks the restraint which shoukl cluiracferi.se Imperial utterances, and •t is probably the ■ very vigour of the Kaiser's language which mere than anything else has assisted to convey the impression tli.it he deplores. Hi.s earlier utterances , .may have really had an effect which lie. failed to appreciate and which the interview has tended tfc destroy. It- seems as r if the Reichstag had realised that, inasmuch as it immediately- made an uproar over the Kaiser's " personal policy" in foreign affairs, and as it commenced .to •see to it that in future ho " should observe even in private conversations the reserve indispensable to a consistent .policy and to the aJiliflrity of the.

Crown." The Kaiser has, in short,'pro* tested too much of late, and as ho lia.s not been a model of consistency alwaya i'- 'hie attitude towards England, lie cannot, complain if he is not mow entirely understood across the Channel. Moreover, deeds .speak more loudly than, worth, and it is of little use for the I'.mperor William to talk about peaca and friendship so long as Germany persists in' making feverish hast« to evolve a very powerful navy, for tlie progress of that navy concerns no other country so, much as it concerns Great Britain. Then J" ''is offers of friendship the Kaiser . s admitted that he is in a minority in his owl l country, and this constitutes another reason'why his declarations should, not be allowed to influence iiritish policy. The British Prime • mister went- as far as it was possible [° m affirming at the Guildhall aiiqu.et that. Great Britain would not he re uctant to grasp any hand extended i , .V » o,kl and good faith. A'ld while those who suggest that the Kaisers po'.e has been merely 0110 of cajolery, intended to assist Great Britain to tho conclusion that she need pay less attention to increasing the strength of her fleet, may be entirely unjustified in sc- doing, the time has been lately opportune, there can be little doubt, lor the reaffirmation 0 f the intention of tho British Government to- maintain the two-Power standard and indisputable superiority at sen. If the Kaiser's feelings have been ruffled because, despite his overtures, Great Britain still talks so nuicli of defence, they will hardly be soothed by tho proposals which, thanks to Lord Roberts, aro now before Parliament with a view to strengthening the Imperial land'forces iu order to make them formidable enough to .discourage any idea, of invasion. The Kaiser's ostensible disgust at such a suggesticri may be imagined, but'if he is only to " roar as gently as ■my .sucking dove" in future he will be unable to.express it for publication. It is to be hoped that the'lmperial patience will stand the strain.