The sun., 1908-11-01
Why DID THE KAISER DO ITY
NO ONE THINKS HE'S A FOOL,
so THERE'S THE PUZZLE.
Europe Seeks Hidden Motive for Caicu.
lated Indiscretion-Mere ImpulsiSe.
ness, Perhaps-Russia and France
Sore; England SOrer: Germany Sorest. .
Special Cahls Dtspateh 70 THE So,

Sore; England SOrer: Germany Sorest
Special Cable Dtypateh 70 THE SUN
LoSDoN, Oct 3i.-Europe has not
yet recovered from the universal amaze.
ment caused by the Kaiser interview
The diplomatic world. at first DUN.
founded by @its calculated indiscretion, >
sought for hidden and sinister motives
on the part Of the illustrious spokes nan,
Wrs it designed to breed diss,nsion
in tho new triple entente? Why was IL
issued at the pres,nt moment OF deli.
cate end dangerous crisis? Thes, and
similcr questions, amid the general con-
sternation gave expression to the natural
suspicious in all the European chancel-
leries.
| l have no hesitation in affirming that
no deep design lies behind Williams ex-
traordinary utterancs. 1t Is Just what
it Purports y bean impulsive expression
of his sincere feelings ct the particular
moment when he spoke. This was no
isolated outburst. 1t wGs thoroughly
characteristic of the man. He spesks
always in private conversation in the same
unros:reined fashion.
have heard him quoted as using Ian
guage Just rs emphatic and jus. as sincere
for the time being of a strongly anti
English tenor. Every foreigncr-and they
are many-English. French and Anieri-
can, who has been honored with his con-
tidence. says the same thing Of the En-
peror. All have been astonished by his
reckless franknsss and Startled by his
bold end always extreme views.
He has preached vigorously in private.
withinVhe lrst few years. several cru
sades which have never been publicly
avowed in the German policy. He ad-
vocated at 'ne time q United States of
Europe against the rivalry of America.
league against England. More recently
he urged eloquently German-Amerioan
alliance. His views as to the yellow peril
are well known.
All his schemes are alil:o in this that
they aim at combinations against some
one or more Powers. He is quite supe-
rior TO the rules OF consistency. but he is
always enthusiastic and always sincere.
Nothing is outside the scope OF his ac-
tivities and nothing givos him such deadly
offence as 10 be ignored. Hence his
Indignation the other day over the report
that the triple entente was arranging
a Balkan programme without consulting
him.
His blazing indiscretion this week is
undoubtedly the biggest blundor Of his
career. Whatever his object. he has
failed in it utterly. II he sought to pla-
cate England he has only made her moro
alarmed ovor the German peril Ho
admits that the great majority of his
people arc unfriendiy to England, Eng
land thanks him fo- that information
and will proceed forthwith to build more
battleships.
II he sought to break up the triple
entente be has drawn it nearer together
and given unpardonable offence in Paris
and st. Petersburg, where he Is already
denounced as violator of international
condolences. II he expects 10 retain tho
sympathy of his own PEOPLE he has been
rewarded by such an outburst OF national
leee majeyte as has not been witnessed
in his own or any previous reign.
But above all things he has increased
the appalling difficulties which
face Europe in striving to reach a peace
full solution of the great problem in the
Those are serious consequences TO
spring from an impetuous attempt to
secure by maladroit means better rela-
tions with ones neighbor. Some Of
them were 80 obvious TO the mcrest tyro !
in diplomacy that ono is left to wonder
even now what else may be behind the
strange move. 1t is because the case
40 IL afanda in siich an insult to the
intelligence that one hears
OF a personal nature in
explanation of his blunder.
Williams bitte-est enemies never ac-
cused him Of being a fool. Hence the
keen curiosity throughout Europe to
know more Of the genesis Of this extraor-
dinary interview. H. r. c.