New-York tribune., 1908-03-07

William. causing a storm Of criticism IN Eng
land.
stronger than now. Immediately jumped to the
conclusion that Emperor William was trying to
rDeddle in the most vital matter in Great Brit
aims national interests by underhand methods.
The public at first shared that view. and Par
lament. the newspapers and the diplomats mad
the greatest sensation which they had enjoyed
for many day. The matter was considered so
serious that Lord Tweedmouth broke his GUS
.o7nary reticence. Fastening TO say: The let
ter from the German Emperor is purely per-
sonal communication, and there is no reference
in il 10 the British naval estimates.
Lord Tweed1nouth visited the House Of Com
mons in the afternoon and conferred with the
Liberal lea dars. The Cabinet met afterward
i had been announced at first that H. H. As
ouith. Chancellor of the Exchequer would make
a statement concerning the matter next Monday,
hut the public was excited and many mem
bers Of Parliament had given notice that they
would ask questions in the lower house about
re correspondeuce that the Cabinet decided
something must be done at once Mr. Asquith,
therefore appeared in the House of Commons at
the close OF its sitting and made brief state
rnent 70 q crowded house. celebrating amid pro
found silence Lord Tweedmouth's explanation
that the correspondence was purely personal
lie said.
II is fact that on February IS Lord Tweed
mouth received a letter from the German En-
r,eror. Il q purely personal and private
Communication conceived in an entirely friendly
spirit. Ny noble friends answer was equally
private ard informal and neither the letter nor
its answer was known or communicated to the
Cabinet may add. in view OF certain sug-
cfstjons which have been made, that before the
letter arrived the Cabinet had come TO its final
decision With regard TO the naval estimates for
1his year
As 2 result of the official explanations already
given here and at Berlin the Emperor Will
iarn-TIyeedmoUtb correspondence the opinion Is
expressed by the majority of the morning news
papers that The Times" has discovered a
mares nest or at least has unnecessarily mag
rifed the Importance Of the affair Pending
Lord Tweedmcurhs promised statement on
Monday next, however. decided comments are
withheld.
The Daily Telegraph" in a statement which.
Il says Is a true explanation Of the affair, de-
ecrihes the Enperor-s letter an innocent and
hastily lsnucd after dinner note of colloquial
character. uusuited for publication in its YER
ha1in form While ali the newspapers agree as
70 the advisabilfty OF publishing the CORE
spondeHce if the Emperor's consent is obtained,
in order 10 clear up all suspicious. it is con-
sidered impossible that either house Of Par
lament could call for its publication. as such
action would amount to an insult 10 the
EnYeror
EzpIara,fare. however. only stimulate curios-
ny and criticism. instead Of appeasng them.
and strong demand is heard everywhere for
ne publication Of both letters. Nothing else
Nil satisfy the British public. and probably
his Viii be done eventually.
That both Emperor William and Lord Tweed
mouth have been guilty OF a serious indIscre-
uon there is only one opinion and even news
papers friendly the government remind Lord
IReedmouth that it his duty to submit
such communication 10 the Cabinet. Lord
I~eedmouth is seriously taken Ia task for al
Sowing the contents Of the letter 10 become
known
Tine Daily Chronicle says ii is able TO state
nat Lord Tweedmouth communicated the En-
percrs letter 10 the King and the Foreign Of
ice before sending reply 10 IL The enron
lae' adds that the EuIreror's letter. besides
cfGrecating British comments on the German
Naval policy mentioned that GermanyS s cher
OBJECT VAS 10 substitute new ships for old ones
and 10 protect Gernany's oversee commerce
lhe Same newspaper editorially expresses hopeS
nat the unfortunate series Of inoiscreuons may
lead To real effort by Germany and England
10 arrest new naval construction. adding that
both countries would then have equal reason
10 rejoice
hint regarding the nature Of Emperor VIII
is.a's letter which has leaked from The inner
flrcle j. that il attempt TO refute Ire
4pent assertions in leading English nov sIalfi ,
mat the German naval programme was am
mated wholly by hostility To Great Britain II
'his proves 10 be the true version the whole sen
sation may collapse quickly as 1t grew, but If
he letter was Of the nature suggested by The
lines" in viii be equally damaging TO the
government 10 publish or withhold ii. unless
Lord Tr-eedmouth should be repudiated and
lhfown 0vefb0ard
The present status II the affair embarrasses
Toe government greatly and brings shower Of
tf1ticism on Lord 'rweedmouth. J. would be a
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