The La Jara chronicle., 1905-08-04
DIPLOMATS IN THE DARK.
Can Make But Vague Guesses at
Meaning of Conference.

According to private advices the
picturesque meeting between the Rus
sian and German emperors in the Gulf
of Finland ended with a gala luncheon
on board the German imperial
yacht Hohenzollern. after which
Emperor Williams yacht sailed
seaward. escorted for short
distance by the Russian i'm
perial yacht Polar Star. Imperial
salutes were exchanged and the Polar
Star put about and returned to Peter
hof A flotilla of torpedo boats. tor
pedo boat destroyers and small cruis-
ers lowered about the imperial yachts
from the time they met until they
parted.
The meeting of the monarchs nat
urally created intense interest in Dip
lomatic circles. In some quarters
there is a disposition to attach the
deepest political significance to it,
and all kinds of theories are advanced.
They are, however. largely specula-
ton. 1t is officially announced that
the visit was only visit of courtesy"
made by Emperor William before
leaving the Gulf of Bothnia. In the
circumstances diplomats cannot be-
lieve that such meeting was devoid
of meaning to the worlds political
chess board, 70 matter what the result
may be.
The conference presented opportuni-
ties of which the foreign correspond
ents have been prompt TO avail them
selves. AS nothing is known of what
was said or done, the only official in
formation vouchsafed being that the
visit of the kaiser to the czar was one
of courtesy, speculative correspond
ents have free hand. They can set
out in detail all the advice that VIII
liam may have given to Nicholas, and
his reasons for giving it. They can
say without fear of contradiction that
it is possible the cZar was urged deli
cately to make a few reforms to Sc
cure domestic peace and was given
some information as to the best way
in which a ruler by divine right
should keep his subjects in order. 1t
is possible that the war with Japan
and the question of Russia's future
status in the orient were discussed.
1t is possible that the emperors talk
ed about their families and the
weather.
After all the possibilities have been
recapitulated the conference remains
mystery. Neither William nor
Nicholas will speak, and If either of
them keeps diary 1t is not accessible.
Future events may reveal what they
talked about, but at present there is
silence. The men who manage af-
fairs of state in France, England, and
other countries may brood over the
mystery, but they cannot solve it.
The conference must have been an
interesting one. The two monarchs
had not met since the fall of 1908.
Then the commanding position of Rus
sia was unchallenged. Germany look
ed at her with respect and perhaps a
little fear The kaiser knew himself
to be far ADLER man than the dreamy,
uncertain czar, but the latter welded
the then unbroken and oyerestimated
forces of great empire. At that time
the czar might have resented advice
or hints. Matters have not gone well
during the last year and a half. and
be czar ought to be willing to ask the
capable ruler of Germany for sug-
gestions as to what should be done
at this trying moment. 1t is possible,
as the correspondents say when in
the dark, that the cZar did invite the
conference and ask for advice.