A CLUMSY DIPLOMAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17825, 6 January 1920, Page 5

A CLUMSY DIPLOMAT

EX-KAISER'S LETTERS TO " NICKY." A BUDGET OE VAPOURINGS. Pr«o« Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 4. ' (Received Jan. 5, iat 9 p.m.) Tho ex-Kaiser, in a letter dated May 13, 1898, marked very privato and confidential, states that ho was mystiiied by the sudden cessation of British newspaper' attacks upon Germany and himself, until ho secretly ascertained that it was due to Queen Victoria's instructions. Soon aftor a celebrated politician (unnamed, but probably referring to Mr Joseph Chamberlain) sent for tho Gorman Ambassador, and offered Germany a treaty of alliance with England. The Ambassador was astonished, and doubted tho sincerity of tho offer, as the British Parliament was unlikely to ratify an alliance with any Continental Power, thereby sacrificing tho nation's freedom of action. The British Minister replied that tho situation had completely changed, and that tho offer was sincere. Tho offer was renewed a few weeks later, but, under tho ex-Kaiser's instructions, the Ambassador answered dilatorily and colourlessly. Continuing, the ex-Kaiser says: " I thought tho affair had ended, but the proposal lias now been renewed for the third time in an unmistakable manner, accompanied by enormous offers, showing the great future opening for my country. Before I givo my answer 1 come to you frankly and openly, my esteemed friend and cousin, as I believe it is a matter of life and death. It is intended that the alliance shall embrace the Triple Alliance, also Japan and America. As ,my old and trusted friend, I beg you to tell me what yon can offer if A refuse. I must bo ablo to see clearly, and vour proposal must be clear and open, without any back thoughts, so that I can judge what is good for tho Fatherland and tho world's peace. Write as in old times my grandfather would havo written to your grandfather, and may God help you to a right decision. Time is pressing. Please answer icon." The next letter is dated in August, 1898, and states that England is continuing her advances about an alliance, but does not disclose her hand. •' As far as I can make out, she is trying to find a Continental army to fight for her interests. She won't easily find one—at least not mine."

The ex-Kaiser also expresses astonishment at the amount of bosh and blarney published in European newspapers about his visit to Jerusalem. "It is most discouraging to note that the sentiment and real faith which propel Christians to seek the country in which thfe Saviour lived and suffered, is nearly extinct in the so-called better classes. Therefore they are unable to explain my pilgrimage except by political motives." The next letter is dated October, 1898, and refers to a certain me'ddlesome power's intrigues in Crete, and declaring that the Turks would regard the evacuation of Crete as a stain on their national honour. t The ex-Kaiser expresses the hope that "Nicky," in his wisdom, will find a solution for the Cretan problem which will bo acceptable to the * Sultan and thwaTt British intrigues. "Remember, you and I agreed never to forget the Mohammedans, who will be a tremendous card ji our game in the event that you or I aro suddenly confronted with war with a certain meddlesome Power."—A. and N.Z. Cable.