New-York tribune., 1908-03-10
KAISER'S NOTE PRIVATE
THE INCIDENT CLOSED.
"The Times" UnepentaHt-Somt
Grumbling-Rosebery's Speech.

of Emperor Williams letter to Lord Tweed
mouth. as revealed by the press comment ths
morning is not altogether satisfied with the OF
fetal statement There still grumbiings.
especiallv from the section devoted to the anti
government campaign in favor Of big navy at
the decision not publish the correspondence
Nevertheless majority both of the opponents
as well as the supporters of the government
agree that the unfortunate affair should now be
closed.
The sooner the Emperor's letter" says The
Daily Telegraph with all the foolish super
structure built thereon is consigned to oblivion
the better for all concerned.
A fact which satisfies Of all parties is that
the letter shown to Sir Edward Grey, the
Foreign Secretary, in whom all have commence
THE Daily Graphic" though consistent ad
vocate of a strong navy, goes far to express the
opinion that The Times" ought frankly to with
draw its charges of dishonorable conduct against
the Emperor OF Germany.
THE Times" however shows itself thoroughly
unrepentent In an editorial, after remarking
that neither Lord Tweedmouth nor Mr. Asquith
denied any of Its statements. and accusing Loro
Rosebery Of speaking without knowledge" it
says:
The Emperors letter no doubt contained what
may be called banter. but it was in substance
long and elaborate argument lntende0 TO per-
srIade Lord Tweedmouth that the German naval
preparations contain no menace at the present
time or in the future TO Great Britain. and there
fore he ought not 10 induce Great Britain 70
augment her fleet.
The Times contends that the British nava<
plans are still dependent the jumping of the
parliamentary cat. and that. therefore, it was
quite possible for the German Emperor to bring
influence to bear despite the fact that the naval
estimates already completed.
The editorial which exhibits strong anti
German leaning, argues that the German navy.
judging by its structure, was not built 10 defend
commerce wage war at a distance, but TO
form striking force at short range and operate
only in waters near its base, and it says that in
direct diplomacy. such the Emperors letter,
can never inspire confidence, adding:
There has been a great deal too much of this
kind of diplomacy practised by Germany in other
countries as we'll as in Great Britain, and it
only be hoped that this exposure of the latest
example will do something TO discourage the
system.
London March 9-The character of Emperor
Williams letter is generally understood. The
spiciest passage is believed TO be the reference TO
Lord Esher-that he had better occupy himself
with drainpipes and keep his hands off the navy.
Lord Esher was engaged In improving the
drainage system Of Windsor Castle when En-
peror William there recently.
An amusing feature Of the is that all the
sensational newspapers of London are lecturing
THE Times for its sensatonalism in exploit
ing the story.
H. H Asquith, Chancellor of the Excheque-
rose In the House OF Commons this afternoon
and in two curt sentences said that he had
nothing TO add to his statement of Friday, and
that as far as he knew. Lord Tweedmouth had
nothing to add his declaration beyond the
fact that Immediately on the receipt Of En-
-ba
Admiralty showed it TO Sir Edward Grey, the
Foreign Secretary. who agreed with the recfp-
lent that the letter had official character and
should be treated q private communica ton
1t is clearly Of the question: added Mr.
Asquith TO lay private and personal CORE
spondence the table"
4 question whether II was possible for A
communication on such important question
to he regarded as private drew a still curter
Yes from Mr. Asquitf, and when he vas asked
To give the House OF Commons opportunity
to discuss LORD Tweedmouths conduct The act
ing head of the government maintained chilly
silence.
Lord TweednoUth. in the upper house, ex-
pressed his surprise at what he called the "ex-
traoTdinary outbuTst of the press" in the last
few days. He vouchsafed the information that
he had on several occasions received letters from
the German Emperor which had come in the
ordinary way through the postoffce The par
ticular letter now under discussion was pri-
vate and personal one Lord Tveedmouth said
Il very friendly in tone nd quite informal
When it reached him he showed it 10 Sir Ed
ward Grey. who agreed with him that it should
be treated private and not official Ac-
cordingiy on February 20 he had replied to the
Emperor in the friendly and informal man
ner. Lord Tweedmouth added his belief that
the course adopted good and cal
culated TO do what everybody SO earnestly de-
sired, namely, foster good underst ndng be-
tween the German Empire and Great Britain
The feature OF the session in tho House of
Lords a speech by Lord Roseber,. The
Prince Of Wales sat beside him. The former
Premier made an attack on the yellow" jour
nalism Of England with special reference to
the differences drawn by The London Times
from the letters. He said
We have witnessed the whole world drawing
the absolutely insane inference that the Ger
Emperor attempting 20 influence Lord
Tweedmcuth with the view OF cutting down the
naval estimates and checking the Increase or
British armaments. This country has been
placed in a ridiculous position, and | am oujte
sure the idea mentioned never entered Enperor
Williams head or the head Of any educated
person entitled 10 remain outside of a Iunatic
asylum.
There is a section of the press which seems
anxious to create friction between these two
countries. There is an impression abroad that
because Great Britain has arrived at "A friendly
feeling for France she should be hostile to Ger
many This section of the press took I'M this
trivial incident TO excite morbid sI,spicions be-
tween the two countries, suspicious which in
my opinion: gradually are developing into dan
ger for 1he pea"e Of Europe.
Lord Rosebe-y reminded the country that
lis friends Of to-day might be the enemies of
io-mofroH. He drew the lesson from the pres