THE KAISER’S LETTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19847, 16 January 1920, Page 5

THE KAISER’S LETTERS.

A HOMILY TO THE CZAR.

THE WAR WITH JAPAN.

DUTY OF NICKY TO LEAD IN

PERSON.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 16, 9.50 a.in.), LOXDOX, January 13. The Kaiser, continuing his"‘ sketch ” in his November, 1905, letter to the Czar, says: “Russia- is in the act of turning a new leaf in her history, and shows a tendency towards modernisation, Such a process in a mighty nation like yours is bound to command widespread interest in Europe, and above all in a neighbouring country. There is a feeling that greater liberty has been allowed the Press too soon, hence the flood of unheard of- articles, some of which are most insolent, and calculated to diminish the respect for an autocratic ruler. The Revolutionary Party has seized the opportunity to create ferment among the wdVk people.”

T he Kaiser goes on to suggest how iho Czar should maintain his hold over fhc simple-minded people, and advises him to declare reforms himself instead of through his Ministers, because the people regard the hitter as merely throwing dust in their eyes, a fact which tends to make, the Czar unpopular and might easily raise a storm, which the dynasty might not weather. “ *UI Europe,” says the Kaiser, “ seems to agree 'that the Czar is solely responsible for the war- Thousands of families lay the loss of their male relatives on the- steps of the Throne, and also hold the Czar responsible for the navy’s fearful losses. ‘Now, the responsibility for war is a_ most serious thing for a ruler.” the Kaiser adds- “I know that by what my grandfather told me, but lie had a. clear conscience. The people loyally supported him, and the nation was resolved to win or die. Re felt, that Providence was on his side, and thin was as good ns if victory was already won. Dut the responsibility for an unpopular war is quite another thing when a nation sends its sons to the front because the Czar so wills it. and this war is unpopular with all classes, Russian officers not excepted.” The Kaiser criticises Kuropatkin’s slowness, while he, admits that most of >he other generals arc too old. He throws out a hint that the Czar himself mighi personally take over the Cnm-mand-in-Chief. “ The European public, as well as the Russian, is looking to the Czar to do some great personal act to show his autocratic rnlershm.” He reminds “Nicky” that Ids fnren fathers repaired to Moscow and called noon their subjects to follow them into battle. “ Such a call from the Kremlin never failed.” The Kaiser rather blames “ i iekv ” for not taking this step at the outIvenk of the war. “But the call did not come,” he says. “ qnrl Moscow : marred under the slight and been mo ' penlv disaffected. European, ohserv‘•w; think that this appeal' from the Krmdin could still he managed.” "Wilhelm adds that the Czar should r-nrede po lihertv of assembly or to Pm Press. He should act boldly, nd-d’-c-s the people, and then “the people would lie deeply touched, and fall on iheir knees and prav for yon, while the sensation throughout the' world would he enormous.”