New-York tribune., 1906-08-16
KING AND KAISER.

The visit of the King of England TO the Ger
man KAISER at Friedrichshof is properly re-
garded with hopeful interest. There has been
no positive indication Of any political signih-
canoe i'm it, though quidnuncs have been busy
with speculations and there have been wild
eglesses about intervention in Russia and what
not else. 1t is not credible that the meeting of
the worlds foremost sOvereigns has any such
spectacular object or will have any such result.
On the other hand il is scarcely suppOsable that
ii will be void of influence upon current affairs,
especially upon relations between the two cOun-
tries represented Even in these days of con-
stitutiOnal mOnarchies.. the sovereign who is
most hedged about with constitution, ministry,
parliament and custom is still a considerable
personal force in public affairs, and no intelli-
gent observer suspects either King Edward or
Emperor William of Indifference to the exercise
of such influence as he properly possesses.
There is doubt that the diplomacy and the
foreign relationships of their respective realms
have in recent years been very largely con-
trolled and directed by them.
Nor is it to be denied or concealed that there
is room for the exercise of benevolent influ-
ence upon the existing relations of those coun-
tries For some Years trade rivalries and, to
an extent political ambitions have caused
considerable degree Of friction between them.
In some degree this has been the friction which
matter how amiabe their Intentions To some
extent it has been fOmented by incorporate or
at least injudicOus. utterances of public men
and the public press. For the most part we
must believe it to have been void of warrant or
justification. and we are glad to believe more
over, that the actual state Of affairs between the
responsible governments of the two powers has
never been nearly unfriendly as irresponsible
utterances have represented it TO be- 1t is much
aoC 10 holt tI,C
ain and Germany have at any time been on or
near the verge of war or in danger of any
rupture of intercourse.
Much has already been done to ameiOYate the
mutual attitude of the countries. especially by
correspondence between men of light and lead
ing and by the noteworthy visit of large cdm-
pany of German editors to England 1t has not
been difficult TO perceive decided improvement
in the tone of the public press of each country
within the last year and to believe that English
men and Germans are coming to that truer un-
derstanding Of each other and of each others
aims and purposes which is essential to entire
confidence and harmony. We may confidently
hope that this royal and imperial visit will
complete that benefiCent process. The people of
monarchical countries largely take their cues
from their sOveFeigns The very place of this
meeting, at the palace associated with the life
and memory of that noble woman who was the
mother of the one sovereign and the favorite
sister of the other, will inspire tender and con-
ciliatory sentiments in guest and host and in
the nations of which they are the chiefs. The
tone of the German press. as reported, is alto
gether admirable and considering the extent to
which it is supposed to be officially "inspired"-
suspicious. Indeed. all circumstances incline the
observer to the belief that this meeting will be
effective as have been the former visits of each
or It's participants to other chiefs of state, in
O11f,,
ton and in restoring complete confidence and
cOrdiallty between the two great powers.