New-York tribune., 1908-11-29
WHY LORD ROBERTS SPOKE OUT SO PLAINLY

been settled bv the fact that the principal cause
of irritation found by the Germans in the Lon
don DAILY Telegraph interview was the En-
peror's profession OF friendship and sympathy
for the English IN the past. There IS not
club in London. not public house in any OF the
big cities, village inn in the United King
dom where the coming war with Germany does
not form the daily topic OF conversation. And
that Prince Bulow has announced IN
the Reichstag that. the Emperors friendly ad-
vances toward England having been spurned in
and out Of season, his German majesty would
cease to turn his face in Ier direction and adopt
a different policy. the public feeling throughout
Great Britain Is that the confagration cannot
long be delayed.
SENTIMENT IN FRANCE
Just what the effect OF Lord Roberts's revela-
tions to the military weakness OF England
will have in France remains to be seen Al
ready a year ago the French press, especially
that portion which is credited with representing
the views OF the Paris government and with
receiving official inspiration. urged Great Brit
ain TO grid her lons. in a military sense, and TO
reorganize her army. so as to be able to do her
share of the fighting land II the alliance
between the two nations put to the
test by Germany. The newspapers IN question
even went far TO intimate that as the
British army was then. the brunt OF the fighting
would be left to France, who would be able 10
count on virtually no assistance from her ally
on land That the military situation in England
has undergone improvement since then Is
notorious. In fact. we have Lord Roberts's word
for 1t that It could not be worse than It IS to-
day
Another result of Lord Roberts's speech will
be to render the position OF German residents
in the United Kingdom and in the British col
onies exceedingly difficult. Nay, he declared
last Monday In Parliament that OF the large
German population in the United Kingdom over
10000 were splendidly trained soldiers who In
the event of the landing OF the German army
! of invasion of 10000 men would prove OF in
valuable assistance thereto In Australia tha
German element is very large indeed, and DOS
sibly already organized to prove OF use
to the fatherland on the spot in the event OF
declaration of war. 1t is the same in we'll
nigh every English colony save Canada Asan
Illustration of this may mention that In Hong
Kong the most prosperous. the most comfort
able club OF the place is that OF the Germans
Hitherto looked upon more or less OF friends
and comrades, henceforth they will bs re-
garded by their English associates as latent
foes. and the intercourse OF the British with
Teutons in these outposts OF Western civiliza-
ton in the Orient will be necessarily discour-
aged.
KAISER SUPREME COMMANDER
Should Germany become involved In war tia
authority OF the Kaiser over the other sover
eisns OF the German Empire. which is now dis
puted' would become complete and unques
toned For by the terms of the constitution.
he Is in supreme command OF the nav OF tha
empire and OF the army. All troops OF the
army and navy are bound by Article Ga OF tba
constitution TO unconditional and imnl,ct.
obedience TO the orders or the Kaiser" sna
are compelled to take oath of aIerIanc.
to this effect An exception is made howevar
IN favor OF the Bavarian troops who in times
OF peace are allowed TO content themselves 1vi,,,
swearing allegiance to their own King Ru, thn
mo1nent war breaks out they are obleed ,,,,-,
the remainder or the German army. no rnat,.-
what It's rank. TO swear obedience and ausgt.Dc.
to the Emperor. The Kaiser leaves to Ravar,,
the administration OF her own con,,,s.n,- "a