DIPLOMATS SECRETS

Southland Times, Issue 18809, 30 April 1920, Page 7

DIPLOMATS SECRETS

KING EDWARD'S PEACE EFFORTS

BARON ECKARDSTEIN’S MEMOIRS

A good deed Ls said about King Edward by Baron Eckardstein in the second volume of his “Memoirs” (says a writer in the Daily Mail). Baron Eckardstcin was an attache in the German Embassy in London in King Edward’s days; he saw as much as he could of the King, who, however, did not entirely trust him.

M hat is new and striking is his account of the repeated efforts of the British Government to conclude an agreement with Germany, all of which were shattered by the petulance and arrogance of William II and his Ministers.

The ex-Ivaiser loved to be invited to England; King Edward, however, was bored by his presence, because of ‘‘the firing of salutes, hurrahings, and other still more tiresome kinds of excitement.” After his visit in 1899 —in which he had protested eternal friendship for this country—Baron Eckardstein was “stupefied” to learn that a Gorman ultimatum giving us 48 hours to release the steamer Bundesrat, seized during the Boor War, was on the way. His method of warning Lord Salisbury at the British Foreign Office was -rigina! and amusing.

“"What news have you?” he (Lord ticlisbury) asked me very abruptly. “Not good,” I answered. “I fear there are very serious complications. You must expect an ultimatum from Swiss Government." Lord Salisbury looked At me with utter astonishment, and said; 'The Swiss Government! Whatever do you mean ?” “Yes,” I replied, “the Swiss Minister told me that 18 chests 1 1 cheese which belonged to Swiss exporters end had been shipped to South Africa in a German liner have been seized as contraband of war. If the cheese is not

at once released you will receive an ultimatum from Switzerland allowing you only 48 hours to give it up, and if you do not, you must take the consequences.” Lord Salisbury’s face cleared; he laughed heartily, and then said: “Tell your Swiss friend that the British Government wifi settle his affair in amicable fashion.” The ultimatum was never delivered—but it was intended by the Kaiser, and this is the first time the fact has been disclosed.

When Queen Victoria lay dying, William II came over to bid farewell. The deathagony was almost upon her ; She was but half-conscioos, and as the Kaiser came to her bed she took him for her son-in-law (the dead Emperor Frederick).

It is a curious and a touching story. Immediately after his visit King Edward is related to have talked with Eckardstein about an agreement, summoning him to his study, where he sat with two documents before him, ono a letter from the Kaiser protesting affection, and the other a letter from the British Ambassador at Berlin, telling him what the Kaiser really had said of England and the English. The King (according to Eckardstein) remarked sadly: “Together we could maintain peace for the world. Germany, of course, needs colonics and commercial expansion. But there is room enough for ns both in the world. But we cannot have any share in the Kaiser’s continual somersaults. And the insults and threats in which the German Navy League and its organs continually indulge towards us are not calculated to remove our distrust.”

Nearly a year later he had another Interview with King Edward. It was after a State dinner at Marlborough House. He noticed that when the guests got up to smoke:

“Chamberlain and the P’rench Ambassador Gambon vanished into the billiards-room. Quite unobtrusively I watched them, and saw that they talked very vigorously for 18 minutes. Naturally I could not make out what they said, but I heard the words ‘Morocco and Egypt.’ ” The Anglo-French understanding was being negotiated. As Eckardstein was going the King sent for him to his study: “A quarter of an hour later he appeared in a comfortable smoking suit. He was in capital spirits and handed me a leather cigar-case, and told me to light up ono of these cigars, as I should certainly find them to my taste. This case contained the last of a large batch of Upmann 1888 cigars, which Reuben Sassoon used to send him every year as a Christmas present. He lighted one himself, poured out a glass of mineral water, and asked me whether I would not have a glass of whisky or brandy and soda.”

Then he begnn: “‘I cannot look with confidence on the future of Anglo-German relations. You know what has happened recently. When the Kaiser writes me long letters assuring me of his friendship for England I am unhappily not able to believe him. My Ministers feel that there can be no more question of a combination between England and Germany. More, we are now urged by France to settle off our colonial difficulties with her. It will be best in the end if we come to an understanding with her, for England only wants peace and to live on the friendliest footing with other Powers, With Germany we have tried to settle and failed. We shall avoid, as a matter oi course, giving any offence to Germany. We only want peace for the world and quirt for ourselves.’ ” . This was the turning point in the history' of the two Powers, and nothing could have been more dramatic than this episode late at night, in the smoke of the fine Havana cigars when King Edward uttered his final message of friendship and warning before the understanding with France was concluded.