THE EX-KAISER.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1920, Page 5

THE EX-KAISER.

RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR. HIS SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Jan. 11, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 8. A further series of the Kaiser's letters are published. Admiral Togo attacked the Russian Fleet on February Bth, 1904, and the Kaiser, throe days later, wrote to the Czar, sympathising with him over the naval defeat sustained by the Russians, but congratulated him on having a good conscience which "permits men to march to the fray without a knapsack or impediments." The Kaiser adds: "It is quite evident, as serious events show, that the warning I sent you is absolutely correct, and the Japanese were in bitter earnest whun they decided to have war." The Kaiser informed the Czar that it was his wish to send a Prince of his House with the Russian troops as a spectator to learn the art of war. He suggested that his brother-in-law, Prince Frederick Leopold, should go, but subsequent letters show that the Czar was not specially anxious to have this emissary. A MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE. The Kaiser sent the Czar a copy of a contract signed in the previous October for the supply of arms to China by a Japanese firm. He significantly aids: "The raw material for the contract is being produced at Creusot's, and France is your ally." The Kaiser, in March, 1904, was anxious to secure the benefits of the war which he did so much to engineer. He rega'es the Czar with a flamboyant description of his cruise in the Mediterranean. He finds Gibraltar simply overwhelming. "It is the grandest thing I have ever seen in nature, and by its military power." In the midst of his chatter about the bewitching Naples, he remarks: "I see by the paper that our treaty of commerce is dead-locked. The negotiators the evidently slumbering. What a lark if you thump your Imperial fist on the table and give the lazy ones a jump." "A PICNIC IN SIBERIA." He continues: "After all one cannot wait for ever. Considering the months we have already waited, a nice picnic to Siberia would do wonders. Perhaps affairs might be quickened, if you sent a person of importance to Berlin, straight to Bulow, to finish the gams off. In June the Kaiser wrote: 'Tour remark about Kuropatkin was a perfect revelation. I am astonished at his shortsightedness in not implicitly obeying your commands. You have been to Japan, and are therefore much more competent to judge of the Japs than him. I hope to goodness that the General will not jeopardise his final success by rashly exposing his forces to check before his reserves join him. I still hold that Napoleon's proverb is good—'victory is with large battalions.' One can never be too strong for battle, especially respecting artillery. THE ATTITUDE OF FRANCE. "I had an interesting conversation with a French military attache, who, on my remarking that it was most astonishing that France, as your Allies, did not send ; a fleet to keep Port Arthur open till your Baltic Fleet arrived, answered, 'We had to reckon with other Powers.' " The Kaiser continues: "I found out what I always feared, that the AngloSrench agreement had the main effect in .stopping the French helping you. It goes without saying that if France had been ,nnder an obligation to help you with her fleet or her army I would not have budged a finger to harm her, for that would have been illogical on the part of the author of the picture TTellow Peril.' INFLUENCE OF BRITAIN. "I am sure that England will renew her efforts to propose mediation to you. It is a fact, and I know that is Lord Hardinge's special mission, though you strongly repudiate it, and which is presuming in the extreme on her part, seeing that the war has only begun. She is afraid for her money, and wants to get Tibet cheaply. I will certainly try to dissuade Uncle Bertie as soon as I meet him from harrassing you with any more proposals. "Should mediation in the course of' events seem desirable, it is clear that the first wish must' come from you, and you may be sure I am always at your disposal. I talked over the matter about a commercial treaty with the Chancellor. You suggest sending Witte. We would welcome him, and the sooner you invest him with powers to negotiate the better for our two countries. 1 wonder what I am going to hear from Uncle Bertie at Kiel."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. QUESTION OF HIS TRIAL. A FURTHER STEP TAKEN. Received Jan. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. S. The British Peace Delegation, which has left for Paris, includes the Lord Chancellor, which indicates that a decision will be taken in regard to the trial of the Kaiser and his accomplices Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.