The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-21
AWAIT The NAVAL BATTLE,
DIPLOMATS or EUROPE EXPECT
THE FLEETS TO MEET.
Attention Also Directed Toward the
Emperor OF rman,-kaiser's Plans
suggest New Interna tional Crisis
Land Forces Move Toward Battle.

Special cable Despatch 70 THE sun
LONDON, May 70. Public int crest cent rs
largely in the impending naval bait 10 in
the Far East, but the att cntion Of the dplo-
mat ic world continues TO be concent rat ed
on Berlin. 1t is Che general opinion hat he
rival fleets will meet wit hin few DAYS, but
II is doubted in some quart ers II n general
engagement will follow immediately
R,lssias latest misfort une he illness Of
the two Admirals withth he feet st Iengt hers
he impression that her greater weight Of
meta will not avail against Japanese skill
and superior mobility; in fact, there is a
disposit ion, especially on the bourses, to
discount Russian defeat The effect OF
this issue month ago would have been
to strengthen all the markets. for it would
have been regarded as precurs or of peace.
Now its influence is quite the opposit e,
and a depression deeper than for many
months prevails in all speculative centors.
Tho reason for this change is solely the
entry of the Kaiser in the International
arena and fears Of his sinister schemes for
German ACKNOWLEDGMENT. A complete
Russian collapse would greatly favor his
designs and the enigma of their real nature
is the problem that is absorbing the atten-
ton of every statesman OF Europe. The
reported German seizure Of Chinese terri
tory provided a days sensation, and now
the diplomntists are studying the probable
effects OF Emperor Williams evident de-
sire to succeed France az the protector
OF Roman Catholics in the Fast This
design was the real object of the kaiser's
summons to Metz OF Chancellor. Won Bulow
and two German Cardinals.
The idea was disclosed in subsequent
speeches by the Kaiser and the Cardinals
when they congratulated themselves on
Germany's influence with the Sultan. The
Emperor would thus gain perpetual right
of interfering at Jerusalem, Constantinople
and Pekin. right which in the hands Of an
astute statesman like Emperor William
would be extremely valuable. 1t is devel-
opment also which is particularly offensive
to France. though it cannot cause surprise
in that country as the threat Of such trans
fer was repeatedly used "a an argument
against the Combes bill for the abolition
Of the Concordat.
The kaiser's present prominence causes
much discussion. An article has just
appeared in the Rerue de Paris by Victor
rard, in which he says: During the
last ten yer ! in which have been pro-
fessor in the Ecole Superieure de Marine
twenty or thirty pupils have repeated to
me textualy the same phrases, not dropped
from the imperial lip in private inter-
course, but uttered with emphasis Of gesture
in the circle Of official presentations.
"The Emperor always expounded impe-
rious reasons which necessitated Franco
German entente The object was always
a crusade either Of the Continent against
England or of Europe against the United
States or yellow Asia. 1t was always
against something or some one. Emperor
William undertook to federate the whole
OF Europe or part OF Europe Az matter
Of fact, his hatred OF England was betrayed
almost unconsciously in his most insig-
nifcant utterances"
Europe knows to-day full well that in
the teeming Napoleonic mind of this great
statesman it has to deal with the chief
factor in the shaping of its destnies The
coming crisis has given rise to renewed
rumors az to the condition of his health.
A little more than year ago 1t was widely
believed that he was suffering from an
incurable disease. His recent devouring
activities seem to supply sufficient refuta-
ton of the story The latest reports are
that he still clings to his pose as an apostle
OF peace. Nevertheless. his preeminent
figure in world politics is watched with
keen apprehension embodyng the great
est peril TO international peace. Given
the opportunity, he would make of Europe
new Roman Empire. His present efforts,
in the opinion of some observers, are di-
rected toward the creation of that oppor-
tunity.