Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-07
ARE DISTRUSTFUL'
English People Not Disposed to
Accept Explanation of Ger
man Incident
AFFECTING NAVAL POLICY
kaiser's Letter to Lord Tweedmouth
Causes as Much Stir as Mes.
sage to Kruger.

London, March 7.-An outburst of
anger against Emperor William on the
part of the British public, equallng
that caused by the German ealperor's
famous message to President Kruger
after the defeat of the Jameson raid
ers, has followed the announcement
that the kaiser had attempted to in
fiuence the British naval policy by IA
secret correspondence with Lord
Tweedmouth first lord of the admir-
atty.
The Germanophobe party, which
was never stronger than now, imlne-
diately concluded Emperor William
was trying to meddle in the most vital
matter in Great Britain's national in
terests by underhand methods, and the
public at first shared that view, while
parliament, the newspapers, and the
diplomats had the greatest sensation
they had enjoyed for many day. The
matter was considered SO serious that
Lord Tweedmouth broke his custom
.ary reticence, fastening TO say:
No Reference to Estimates.
THE letter from the German en-
cation, and there is no reference in it
to the British naval estimates"
Lord Tweedmouth visited the house
of commons and conferred with the
liberal leaders. The cabinet met after
ward. 1t had been announced at first
hot oal
lor of the eXchequer, would make a
statement concerning the matter next
Monday, but the public was so excited
and SO many members of parliament
had given notice that they would ask
questions in the lower house about the
correspondence that the cabinet de
cided something must be done at once
MI. Asquith therefore appeared in
the house of commons at the close oi
its sitting and made a brief statement
to crowded house. celebrating amid
profound silence Lord Tweedmouth's
explanation that the correspondence
was purely personal.
II Received n Letter.
at is a fact declared the chancel
| lor. that ON Feb 1S Lord Tweed
mouth received a letter from the Ger
man emperor. 1t was purely person
al and private communication, conceiv
ed in an entirely friendly spirit. M!
noble friends answer was equally pri
! ter nor its answer was known or com
municated to the cabinet | may add
] in view of certain suggestions which
F., have been made, that before the lette
arrived the cabinet had come to it!
final decision with regard to the nava
estimates for this year
These explanations only stimulate
curiosity and criticism. instead of az
! peasing them, and strong demand il
.heard everywhere for the publication
of both letters. Nothing else will sat
isfy the British public, and probabl,
this will be done eventually.
To Refute Assertions.
The only hint regarding the natur
of Emperor Williams letter whic
have leaked from the inner circle ar
| tnat IL was an attempt TO refute IRE
quent assertions in leading Englis
newspapers that the German naval Pre-
gram was animated wholly by hostilit
to Great Britain. If this proves to b
| the true version of the incident, tn
whole sensation may collapse as quicl
ly as it grew, but, if the letter was {
the nature suggested by the Times,
will be equally as damaging to th
government to publish or withhold /
unless Lord Tweedmouth should be r
lpudiated or thrown overheard