The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-28
EMPEROR WILLIAM
 IS CRITICISED PoIiteneSS to French Guests Re- garded With SuSp Spicion
INVIOLABILITY OF SHIPS
Americas Commercial Proposition at The Hague Is Defeated By English lnfluence-New
 Star Appears.
BY MARQUIS DE cAsTELLANE.
Especial Cable to The AgeHerald from
 the Hearst News Service.

the Hearst News Service.
 Copyright, 1907, by W. R. Hearst)
 Paris, July 27.-The remarkable atten- tions paid by Emperor William II to the French persons who went to <iel to take part in the international regattas of that port have, both in France and Germany, aroused somewhat heated polemics. The Germans, who are all more or less Pan Germanie, refused to believe in any rap proachment between the two rival coun- tries.
 There can be no question:" they said, 'of giving political importance to the Elm peror's politeness toward the French guests at kiel" Such is textually the language of the leading German newspa- pers William IIs attitude only served to show them still more clearly how deep is the gulf which separates the two nations.
 The French on the other hand, having their vanity ilattered showed such grati- tude toward the Emperor for his attention that we who were watching what took place at kiel from distance, almost be- l1eved our fellow countrymen and women had become the friends, if not the allies, of the hereditary foe.
 The French visitors lunched on board the imperial yacht, and the Emperor in turn visited the yachts of Mme Heriot, Mime. Gaston Menier, the Due de Cages and the Countess de Bearn. He even ac- cepted an invitation of the latter to din- ner and in little speech at dessert spoke of the charming 'camaraderie' of yachts men in general
 1 am sorry to note that these polite lit tie attentions, insignificant and common place as they are. have assumed such an important light in French political cir ces and have been made into such impor- tanuce so soon after this turbulent mon
 Fa,..
 Say and do what one may, we shall not so easily wipe out thirty-eight years of perpetual pin-pricks, threats and some times even proyocations, which have left behind them an accumulation of bitter ness France will only hold out her hand in friendship to Germany when she finds an encouragement in acts and not In mere vain words
 Hence it is that the interview during the Kiel regattas week between M. Etienne. our ex-minister of war, and Prince Bue- low must also be considered as totally void of importance.
 America. by order of President Roose- welt has attempted IL the Peace Conter- ence at The Hague to have the inviolabll- ity of merchant vessels during war time finally established. The proposal met with no success, for England. whose advantage as an exclusively naval power simply con- sists in her power to stop the commerce or nations with whom she may be at war; frankly refuses to give up the privilege And herein lies-I will not say her bad faith, for this is not exactly what l wish to say-but her intelligent and patriotic prescienee.
 In the inevitable conflict which will take place between Germany and England-a conflict caused by the rivalry of their com mercial interests-the latter should not and could not renounce that which makes her strength in a degree which no other nation can rival.
 Nor was England the only power to combat the American proposal. Russia, from motives which 1t pretended were hu- nanitarian but which undoubtedly only concealed some unknown ambition, through NJ. Nelidoff. made reserves on this point which were tantamount to a refusal He remarked at the conference that If private property was to be left alone in time of war, commerce would lave no reason to wish for the end of hos tilities, which might. indeed, turn out to be very profitable to it.
 And so once more this comical confer ence shows itself up really to be an inn mense farce invented by incorrigibie dreamers to amuse the gallery.
 The sky of the Coincide Francaise was on the point of becoming darkened. as for long time past no actress had ar rivel there worthy of being styled a star.
 But now this star has appeared, and our greatest Parisian theatre has become the Wealthier by the apparition of young woman who is one of the most refined