The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-18
EDWARD, WORLDPEACEMAKER
CEOWNTNG WORK WHEN HE WON
OVER THE KAISER.
All EUROPE us Crying Peace Now king I'D.
warG's sacrifices n Triumphs His
Conversation Win the Kaiser Was
chiefly ON Morocco and Macedonia.
.spr.au CaJlc Despatch to THH SUN.

that King Edward, the worlds peacemaker,
has crowned his mighty work at Wilhelms-
bohe and l,chl. That is the Interpretation
which has friends put upon his conferences
sis wecN with the German and Austrian
Kaiscrs. The general public throughout
Europe seem TO share this rosy optimism.
and everywhere one hears that such aca-
demic discussions as the Hague conference
are supcrfuous and unimportant az COM
rarcd with the wonderful practical diplo-
macy of the British sovereign.
II is unnecessary to detract in the lcagt
from the great work King Edward has
accomplished in behalf of peace during the
last four years if it is pointed out that the
causes Of international friction have not
vet been entirely banished by the tact and
skill Of this ablest of modern monarchs.
He has preserved the peace of the world
through a most trying crisis. a crisis not
vet finished, which involves a substantial
regrouping of the gseat Powers and the re-
adjustment of many conflicting interests.
The Kings achievement from the point
OF view of the preservation Of the worlds
peace is great. but it is still greater from
the point of view Of British patriotism.
He has successfully piloted the British
Empire from a position Of splendid but
dangerous isolation to one Of allied or
friendly companionship with all mankind.
No serious international dispute can now
arise in which England will not be able to
turn the scale with almost overwhelming
weight to one side or the other She can
comy ell disputants to compromise OF arbi-
trate. or in the event of refusal she can so
influence the attitude of the other Powers
as almost to control the issue
To do all this King Edward has sacrificed
some interests in Africa. in the Near and Far
last, which ave been regarded heretofore
as important, but he has gained for his en-
pire a POSITION which for the present at all
events is i~mpregnable. This position car
ries With it one recompense much 10 be de-
sired and which all the world has recently
begun TO seek, namely to limit the crushing
exl ense of mame Great Britain has
already legun her curtailment in this re-
srect. but it was not until this weeks meet
ing Of the King and the Kaiser thai the
country began TO see that this new policy
was safe in the existing circumstances
Little has been learned yet regarding the
details of this momentous interview, but
the chief significance is in the fact OF the
meeting and its amicable nature. This
royal conference was in one sense a paradox.
1t was made possible by the aggressive,
not the Pacific, nature Of King Edwards
previous campaign in behalf of peace and
good fellowship between nations.
Let il be imagined for a moment that in
the changes following the Russo-Japanese
war France and Russia had fallen into an
anti-English attitude and England had re-
NAMED isolated. The peaceful conference
at Wilhelmshohe would never ave taken
place, and il is more than probable that a
world war would have been devastating
Europe before this. and Great Britain's
position would perhaps have become desper-
ate at more than one point of her dominions.
King Edwards diplomatic activities in
that crisis were wise enough not to attack
German interests. yet they antagoniZed
German ambitions. 1t was Germany that
stood to gain by the radical changes in the
political situation. King Edwards sole eff
fort was to maintain the status quo through
out the world with the exception of such
changes as involved sacrifices by England
alone, such az British interests in Morocco.
He convinced first France and then Spain
and Italy Of his good faith. He finally
convinced the Gar also. and in convincing
him he at last made il clear even to the
ambitious and jealous Kaiser that no oppor-
tunity remained for German a~ggrandize-
ment.
IL would be unkind, perhaps unjust,
to say that the Kaiser is now making a vir-
tue Of necessity and is himself taking the
lead in the peace campaign A wise man
Is the Kaiser. despite his great ambitions
for his country. Europe, including his W
countrymen. abhors the idea Of war At
the present moment peace is the only role
10 play. and William plays all roles enthusl-
a~stically. That he is disappointed at the
failure of all his plans goes without saying.
That he deeply re :ented what he regarded
as an attempt to solat Germany is un-
questioned That he hopes and expects
another turn of fortunes wheel may bring
him fresh opportunities to crafty his am
billions is perhaps not 10 his discredit.
Bit peace is the dominant note in Euro
pean politics to-day. Not for years has it
been so supreme That it will not change
with the inevitable change of conditions
would be 10 assume 600 much.
Regarding the actual subjects discussed
by King Edward and Emperor William
We are told with the color of authority
that aside from the general friendly rela-
tons of England and Germany the only
NNfFNo al WIZ "iA NioNt-
donia, 1t is we'll understood in diplomatic
circles that the Morocco question has
always been merely a political weapon
IN Germany's estimation, her real interests
there being trifing. She nearly made it
a casus belli two years ago, and she used
II TO its fullest value as affecting the more
serious International issues at Algeciras.
her present policy is pacific, and therefore
Ne will make no difficulties for France in
the latter's unenviable task there. 1t is
not improbable that even in the event of
a holy war Germany would be willing 10
intrust the mission of ~subjugating the
country entirely to France with Spain's
nonnna assistance. That France would
Succeed is by no means certain. for the
task Of conquering the Transvaal was easy
by comparison.
In regard TO Macedonia there is reason
70 hope that the conversation Of the two
monarchs may result in a European con-
cert on this vexed question. 1t is now
recognized by all the great Powers that the
present situation is hopeless and impos-
MIL