The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-18
LINES Up new ALLIES
Edward Makes Friends with
Germany and Austrie.
MEANS MUCH TO ENGLAND
Principal Cause for COnEratuIatiOn
Is Possibility of CnrtaiIment of
Crushing Expense of ArmRmentS.
Diplomacy of Sovereign said to
Outshine The Hague Conference.

Paris. Aug. 1.-THE worlds peacemaker
has crowned his mighty work at WI
helmshohe and Ischl.
That is the Interpretation which the
friends of King Edward put upon his
conference this week with the German
and Austrian kaisers. The general public
throughout Europe seem 10 share this
rosy optimism, and everywhere one hears
that such academic discussions as The
Hague Conference are superhuous and
unimportant as compared with the won
derful practical diplomacy Of the British
sovereign.
1t is unnecessary to detract from the
great work King Edward has accom-
plished in behalf of peace during the
past four years if it is pointed out that
the causes OF international friction have
not yet 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 Yet finished, which involves
a substantial regrouping OF the great
powers and the readjustment Of many
conflicting interests.
His 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 en-
pire from position OF splendid, but dan
gerous. isolation to one of allied or
friendly companionship with all mankind.
May Control Issue.
No serious International dispute can now
arise in which England will not be able
10 turn the scale with almost overwheIm-
ing weight TO one side or the other She
can compel disputants to compromise or
arbitrate, 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 sacri-
feed some interests in Africa. in the near
and far East, which have been regarded
heretofore as important, but he has gained
for his empire d position which, at pres
ent, at all events, is impregnable.
This position carries with it one recon-
pense much 10 be desired. and which all
the world has recently begun to seek.
namely. to limit the crushing expense Of
armaments.
Great Britain has already begun her
curtailment IN this respect. but il was
not until this weeks meeting OF the King
and Kaiser, that the country began TO
see that this new policy was q safe one
IN the existing circumstances. Little hAAs
been learned yet regarding the details
OF this momentOus interview, but the
chief significance is In the fact Of the
meeting and its amicabIe nature.
Conference q Paradox.
This royal conference was in one sense
= paradox. It was mad possible By the
aggressive. not the pa Tic. nature Of King
Edward 5 previous campaign in behalf Of
peace and good fellowship between ma
tons. Let IL be lima gined for moment
that IN the changes following the Russo
japanese war, France and Russia had
fallen into an anti-English attitude and
England had remained isolated. The
peaceful conference at WHhelmshohe
would never have taken place and il Is
more than probable that a world war
would have been devastating Europe be-
fore this and Great Britain's position
would perhaps have become desperate at
more than one point Of her dominions.
King Edwards diplomatic activities in
that crisis were wise enough not 10 attack
German interests. yet they antagonized
German ambitions. 1t was Germany that
stood to gain by the radical changes in
H.a a44s a
effort was 10 maintain the status quo
throughout the world with the exception
OF such changes as involved sacrifices by
England alone, such as British interests
IN Morocco.
COnvinces France First.
He convinced first France. and then
Spain and Italy. Of his bona flde Inten-
tons. He finally convinced the Gar also.
and In convincing him he at least made
it clear, even to the ambitious and jealous
Kaiser, that no opportunity remained for
German aggrandizement
II would De unkind perhaps unjust. 10
say that he is now making a virtue of
necessity and is himself taking the lead
in the peace campaign. 4 wise man is
the Kaiser, despite his great ambitions
for his country Europe. including his
own countrymen, abhors the idea OF
war. At the present moment. peace is
the only role TO play and William plays
all roles enthusiastically. That he is dis
appointed at the failure Of ell his plans
goes without saying. That he deeply re-
sented what he regarded as an attempt
to isolate Germany Is unquestionable
That he hopes and expects another turn
of fortune, which may bring him fresh
opportunities TO crafty his ambitions, is
perhaps not TO his discredit
But peace is the dominant note IN
Europe politics to-day Not for years
has 1t been so supreme. That It viii not
change with the inevitable change of con-
ditions would 20 to assume too much.
Touch Two Situations.
Regarding the actual subjects discussed
by King Edward with the Emperor, we
are told with the color Of authority that
aside from the general friendly relations
of England and Germany, the only topics
touched were Morocco and Macedonia.
1t is well understood in diplomatic cir
Giles that the Morocco question has al
ways been merely a political weapon in
Germany's estimation, her real inter-
ests there being trifing. Sac nearly made
it a casus belli two years ago, and she
used 1t TO It's fullest value as affecting
the more serious international issues at
Algeclras
Her present policy IS pacific, and, there
fore, she will make no difficulties for
France IN the latteT's unenyiable task
there. 1t Is not improbable that even in
the event Of holy war. Germany would
be willing to intrust the mission OF sub