The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-12
HE HATES ENGLAND.
Why Emperor William Took
the Side of the Beers.
NATIONAL SENTIMENT WITH HIM
But England Hates Germany, Too. and
May Give Russia Constantinople
For an Alliance.

New York, Jan. IA special TO the
World from London says: Nothing ~ so
strictly guarded in England as the pro
ceedings of a cabinet meeting. Nolhlhs
would be so criminal as leak concerning
it's action: all the powers OF the govern
ment would be exerted to unmask the
traitor. Any revelation of what occurred
at the meeting OF the cabinet until the
ministers are ready TO eonfde the lhtof-
nation TO the public Is practically impos-
sibIe. II Is certainly one OF the most mo
meutous meetings Ia the countrys history,
for the government must doubtless have
decided England's course In the present
unparalleled situation OF q hostile union
OF every country In Europe against the
British empire. Until the other day the
country seemed secure, In the general ms
understanding that England was a silent
partner in the triple alliance. The kaiser
insulting declaration OF hostility has shat
tered all that at a blow.
England cannot fight single-handed
against Europe and Russia In Asia, TO say
nothing OF a possible war with the United
States. VIII she. therefore, make over
lures 10 Russia, with the Franco Russian
alliance thrown in2 IL is amazing. the
fever for that coalition which prevails in
London. and apparently throughout the
empire. since the publication OF the kaisers
telegram. The Times gave the first threat
OF 1t in its first days comments on the kais-
er's message TO President Kruger. The
press has taken II up. and gray-headed gen
erals and subalterns In the clubs, members
OF parliament and Others of influence, who
a fortnight ago would have nothing but
war with Russia If she sought Port Arthur.
nov proclaim that Russia shall have Con-
stantinopie. or. If II please her better, such
seaports ar she may ask in the Persian gulf.
Aid 20 France in recovering Alsace-Lorraine
Is publicly advocated. The instant reyolu-
ton In the sentiment OF century's growth
is startling, and. Of course, momentously
significant.
What is. indeed, the German emperor's
underlying motiveF II is personal 10 this
degree. that he is seriously on bad terms
with the British royal family. and resents
the lordly manner OF superiority of the
athletic Englishmen at cowes and In the
English court. This has an undoubted In
fuence with the young autocrat OF Ger
many. and the personal hatred of the au-
tocratic sovereign has led 10 many wars
I'm the past.
There Is another personal explanation in
his avowed desire TO arrange the mar
riage Of his eldest son and heir 10 the
young Queen Wilhelmina OF Holland, and
the possible union of her kingdom thereby
with the German empire, giving Germany
Hollands seaeoast and ports. Hence. per-
haps. his expressed sympathy for the
Dutch Beers is meant 10 influence their
relatives OF Holland.
But the unanimous and enthusiastic sup
port he got from all Germany shows that
his hostile telegram expressed the feeling
OF his people, whose enmity 10 England Is
spurred on by commercial rivalry all over
the world, because England has pre-empt-
ed the best countries everywhere. The
colonial desire OF the German people,
though born only since the war OF $50. is
now the most passionate of all their as
piratiohs Bismarck always opposed this
colonial idea, and his organ. the Hamburg
er Nachrichten. sounded the only really
peaceful note among the German press
this week. Personally hostile to England
as the iron chancellor was, he appreciated
the certain injury. with no compensation
to Germany. OF a conflict with her. II the
story OF the kaiser's pacihcatory letter
TO the queen is true. IL may be considered
that, confronted with Englands readiness
for war. her immediate preparations and
the certain direful consequences to Ger
many, the kaiser has thought better of his
first angry impulse and Is asking that by
cones be bygones.
Meanwhile the American controversy Is
hardly spoken OF here. except for purely
academic discussion Of permanent court
OF arbitration between the two countries
The cabinet meeting could hardly consider
the Venezuelan question. since the presi-
dents message is not yet formally before
the government.