New-York tribune., 1901-03-06
GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY.
COUNT Won BUELOW SPEAKS OF EN-
PEROR'S VISIT To ENGLAND AND
ATTITUDE TOWARD RUSSIA.

Berlin March 5-Repying to a question OF
Herr Schaedler. member of the Centre, in the
Reichstag to-day the subject of Emperor
Williams recent visit to England the Imperial
Chancellor Count Won BuIow. declared the visit
was neither of a political nor of a courtly char
acter but was purely of humane character
The Emperor merely hastened to the deathhed
of his grandmother. 1t was easy 10 understand
that the act evoked the gratitude of Great
Britain. and aroused there a desire for peaceful
and friendly relations. This wish was shared
by Germany full equality of rights between
the German and British nations being. OF course.
an indispensable condition.
The statement of the Chancellor made In
course of the debate on the Foreign Office esti-
mates. Herr Schaedler in putting his question
asserted that dissatisfaction rife IN Ger
many. and that the country desired information
regarding the political significance of the En-
peror's visit TO England and the effect OF the
accession Of the sovereign, King Edward
The decoration of Lord Roberts with the Order
of the Black Eagle, he further asserted, caused
wide discomfort The Germans were afraid
that hyperfriendy policy toward Great
Britain would create enemies for Germany on
the Continent. The speaker wanted to know.
therefore. how Germany stood in relation to the
other powers. especially the powers of the Drei-
Count Won Bulow then replied as above. and
laid emphasis the noble impulse actuating
the Emperor in this matter and the desire of
the German Government that it might be vouch-
, safed TO Germany and Great Britain to work IN
peace and for peace He added:
/ observed two months ago, and T repeat to-
day that nothing is changed in our relations
with Great Britain since l declared in the
Reichstag that we were ready and willing to live
in peace, friendship and unity with Great Brit
ain, on the basis Of mutual consideration and
absolute equality. If therefore the Emperor
by his presence and derneanor in England
opened the way for continuance OF such nor
| NAL good relations, 1t is advantageous to the
! two countries. No doubt there many sore
points between the two countries But. at the
same time, there are numerous and necessary
points Of contact between them Good neigh
oorly relations are required In both countries.
and there is no political reason why We should
not cultivate relations with Great Britain in
careful way as the other powers do. The
accession of a new sovereign will not change
the relations of Germany and Great Britain.
Perhaps there have been people who hoped that
1uence but these expectations have not been
realized, which also Is advantageous to the two
powers and TO general peace
Herr SChaedler said the Emperor's visit vio-
lated our neutrality toward the South African
war, and have also seen parallels drawn of the
EmperOr's visit 10 England and the non-recep-
ton of President Kruger in Berlin The paraI-
lels are not correct The avowed object of
President Kruger's projected journey 10 Berlin
interfere in the South African complications
whereas his majestys visit to England had
nothing to do with the South African war.
deny IN the most emphatic manner that the
Emperor acted in any way contrary to the in
terests of the country in accepting and re-
spending 70 attentions
Regarding the decorating of Lord Roberts
with the Order of the Black Eagle, that was
: solely a matter for the King of Prussia to de-
eide. 1t is question of the constitutional per-
Sonal prerOSative of the crown. Lord pberts
. is not political parsonage Therefore, the dis
ttnctton conferred is of no political Importance
/ Regarding Russia. I fully convinced that
, one or the foremost endeavOrs OF our policy is
| to cultivate the most friendly and most neigh
/ borly relations. | firmly convinced that
. German and Russian interests go side by side
/ IN most matters. and there is point where.
with mutual goodwill prevailing, our interests
need cross There Is no antagOnism separating
/ the two empires which cannot be bridged. But
here also We require complete equality. Ger
many is no more dependent on foreign countries
| than they are dependent on US. 1t is the right
! and duty Of every government 10 give all the
| concessions II can without prejUdicing the in
/ terests OF It's own country. But appreciation OF
/ these interests does not imply hostility to our
heretofore. and. hope, our future. commercial
| friends l hope We shall come to an understand
| ing in this respect But here again the basis
can only he complete reciprocity and the inde-
pendenCe of our own country
Our foreign policy now, as formerly is de-
/ termined neither by love nor hate and neither
| by dynastic considerations ties Of relation
ship. but solely by calm, sober. deliberate con
sideration of the interests of State He little
! knows the Emperor who thinks that other mo-
tives sway him than those prompted by con-
sCientious solcitude for the welfare of the en-
| pre-, and they would mSJudge me SOraIv who
| believe l could be won over 10 any policy but a
| German national policy which I sum uD in The
| words: Good and friendly relations with all
| those powers who wish TO live in peace and
! friendship with But the absolute uaainten-
\ anCe of that political and economic fndepen
dence 70 which the German nation has gained
| an inaltenable right by It's struggles labor and
\ high level of civilization"