New-York tribune., 1907-11-17
KAISER In ENGLAND.
King sEdzcard's Skill as Diplomatist
and Stage Manager.
London. November G.

London, November 6.
The German Emperor's visit has been deferred
until it is an English triumph. If it had been
made prematurely it would have been a German
success in diplomacy. He was here at the
funeral of Queen Victoria when he was the
dominating figure on the European stage. His
coming has been put off for one reason or an
other until King Edward has proved his match
IN European diplomacy and there is something
like a balance Of power. During the in
teryal one sovereign has accomplished much and
the other has barely held his ground France
has been reconciled, strained relations with Rus
sia have been eased. friendships with Austria
Hungary and Italy have been strengthened,
and by the Japanese alliance there has been a
ceadfstment OF forces in the Pacific England,
instead of being isolated and discredited as she
sas iat the close of the Boer War, is a Euro
pean power of commanding anfluence There
has been rapid enlargement Of the diplomatic
resources of the British Empire during the
reign. and the King is mainly responsible for it.
Meanwhile. the German Emperor has not i'm
proved his position. His intervention in the
Morocco affair meddlesome rather than
effective If he was helpful in the preliminary
negotiations between Russia and Japan, the
Treaty OF Portsmouth mainly the work OF
President Roosevelt Possibly he has contrved
TO block the progress of the Hague congress
and 10 discredit 1t peace parliament, but
that IS not~an achievement which the loyal Ger
man press halls with loud acclaim. His pres
tige has declined since he was last in England.
whereas King Edward has become perhaps the
foremost figure in world politics.
There has been better proof Of the Kings
Eexterity and sagacity a diplomatist than the
Brra ngenent of this visit his principal rival.
Be- has known when it would not be opportune
and when 1t would be popular event in Eng
land and would not excite suspicion and irrita-
ton IN France. II the German Emperor had
come before England's influence had been re-
stored in Europe and her authority increased in
the Pacific by the convention with victorious
Japan there would have been sulen discomfort
and Jealousy among the masses here. If he had
been the Kings guest at Windsor last year or
the year before, the French caricaturists would
have portrayed ''perfldious Albion" every
t,o6y's friend and an utterly untrustworthy ally.
The King has waited until the resentment
caused by the German Emperor's dispatch 10
President KRUGER has been forgotten and the
English prejudice against the Fatherl&nd has
died out He has put off the Anglo-German
meeting until there have been repeated evil
dences OF, sympathetic relations between France
and England. He has not acted prematurely,
but from subtle insight and comprehension Of
etforces Of public opinion on each side Of the
Cha$nnel. The German Emperor comes at the
rigFn moment when he will receive the heartiest
welcome on his way 20 the Guidhau and when
there viii be murmUrs Of discomfort in Paris
Having shown himself an Opportunist Of
sobriety Of judgment in bidng his time and
waiting for the most favorable conditions, King
Edward has done everything In his power TO
magnify the Importance Of the visit as state
event. Lord Charles Beresford Is 20 welcome the
Kaiser and Kaiserin at Portsmouth with full
naval honors; the Prince of Wales will meet
them at the landing stage; Lord Roberts viii be
che chief military aide-de-camp; there will be
state banquets and theatrical and musical enter
tginments at Windsor; every possible honor Will
be paid 10 the royal guests there and in London,
and there viii bessonething resembling diplo-
fnatio conference over the Morocco and other
questions. No other guests have been received
at shs Castle with equal splendor and stateli-
ness during the reign. Nothing will be lacking
70 lend dignity and even unique distinction to
this meeting of the monarchs and TO make ii a
memorable event in European history. German
pride will be fattered, Continental opinion will
be deeply impressed, and there will be no
cavilling in Paris. The King has known when
10 be wary, diztrustful and cautious and when
to be magnanimous. hospitable and effusive.
He is meeting the German Emperor on equal
terms when he has shown his own superiority
in statecraft and diplomatic skill. Engand's
enemies have been reconciled, new alliances
based on sea power have been formed the for
eign policy Of the empire has been well ordered
and the German Emperors visit is a sign that
all things are working for peace in the world
when Edward the Pacificator is at the summit
Of his power practical diplomatist.
These triumphs of stage management would
not be possible If the King did not understand
the temper of his own subjects 1t used to be
Eaid that foreign affairs were left in the German
Emperor's hands because he knew what the
Fatherland wanted and could be trusted TO turn
every emergency or opportunity to profit. The
King is as representative an Englishman the
Kaiser is a typical German. He seems to know
intuitivey what the nation wants to have done
and when # is safe and expedient to bring about
decisive results. He has one Of the greatest
human gifts-that Of forecasting with accuracy
the forces Of public opinion at home and abroad.
This alone would make him a statesman among
monarchs, even If he did not have remarkable
resources OF tact cleverness and sagacity. He
IS exerting a more potent authority over British
diplomacy even than Queen Victoria exercised
IN her time, and it is done without any strain
ing Of the prerogatives of the Crown any
troversy with his responsible ministers and
stitutional advisers. The stage manager is out
Of sight, but the play is the thing, and it is
the Kings. n. F.