THE KAISER’S LETTERS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14261, 12 January 1920, Page 5

THE KAISER’S LETTERS

DURING RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR. SYMPATHY FOR THE CZAR. BRITISH INFLUENCE ON FRANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received January 11, 5.5 p.m. L,UjNJJO>;, January i>A further aeries of tne Kaiser's letters has been published. Admiral Togo attacked the liussian Fleet on Feuruary 8, 190-1, ami the Kaiser three days later wrote tu the Czar sympathising with him over the naval deieat sustained by the Russians, but congratulated him on having a good conscience, which " permits a man to inarch to the fray without a knapsack or impediments." The Kaiser adds: "It is quite evident, as the serious events snow, that the warning I sent you is absolutely correct, and the Japanese were in bitter earliest when they decided to have war.'' The Kaiser informed the Czar that it was ma wish to send a Prince of ins house with the Russian troops asa 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. 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. Pie significantly adds: "Raw material for the contract is being produced at Creusot's by France, your ally." The Kaiser, in March, 1904, was anxious to secure the benefits of a war which he did so much to engineer. He regales 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 "bewitching Naples," he remarks: "1 see by the papers that our treaty of commerce is deadlocked. The negotiators are evidently slumbering. What a lark if you thump your Imperial fist on t'.ie table, and give the lazy ones a jump." 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 y,pu sent a person of importance to Berlin straight to von Bulow to finish the game off." In June the Kaiser wrote: "Your remark "about Kuropatkin was a perfect revelation. I am astonished at his shirt-sightedness 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 a 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. I had an interesting conversation with the French military attache, who, on my remarking that.it was most astonishing that France, as your Allies, did not sent a fleet to keep Port Arthur open till your Baltic fleet arrived, answered, "We had to reckon with other powers." The Kaiser continues: "I have found out what I always feared that the Anglo-French agreement had its main effect in stopping the French helping you. It goes without saying that if France had been under an obligation to help you with ber fleet or 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, "The Yellow Peril." lam sure that England will renew her efforts to propose mediation to you. It is a fact, and I know that is Lord Harding'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 lam always at your disposal. I talked over the matter about a commercial treaty with the Chancellor. You suggest' sending Witte, and we would welcome him. The sooner you •invest him with powers to negotiate the better for our two countries. I wonder what I am going to hear from Uncle Bertie at Kiel