New-York tribune., 1908-03-10
ROYAL LETTERS.
Many Precedents for the kasers
Note to Lord Tweedmoutk.

ICopyrien. 1905 by Brentwood Company
Emperor williams private letter to Lord I"eed-
mouth with whom he has been on terms OF per
sonal friendship for years and VINO happens 70 oe
just present First Lord of the British Admiralty
is exciting altogether needless and somewhat fool
ish Indignation on the part Of the English press
notably of the always Gernanophooe London
Times" which editorialiy denounces the action OF
the Kaiser in writing TO Lord Tweedmoutn as an
unparalleled piece of indiscretion and presump-
tion as an attempt by a foreign potentate to inter-
with and influence British government oe-
partnent and as entirely without precedent
In this THE London Times is altogether wrong
There is abundant precedent for personal letters
from sovereiyns the Cabinet ministers OF 10Y
eign countries Indeed. it could hnd proof the1eoI
in its flies of years ago Napoleon III "heh
the throne of France was in frequent private
correspondence not alone with Lord Psimerston
but likewise with other English statesmen and
Cabinet ministers. with whom he had been on
terms not merely of acquaintance but OF WARM
friendship during the many years that ne spent III
London. In fact Queen Victoria and her husband
Prince Albert exception this correspondence
of the French Emperor with Lord Palmerston. and
the Times went out of its way 10 defend the
latter against the Queen and Prince Albert
The late King Leopold of the Belslans until his
death In 1856 and particularly during the reign OF
King William " and the first fifteen years after
the accession of his niece Queen Victoria. was in
constant personal correspondence with the English
Cabinet ministers, notably with Lord Melbourne
and Lord Aberdeen. and there is no doubt that this
intercourse in a number of instances of con-
siderable advantage the British Empire.
Napoleon III corresponded freely with Cavour.
the powerful Prime Minister of King Victor En-
manuel. without any objection on the part of tho
latter while the published letters and memoirs Of
great Prince Ta1eyrand and also of his equally
celebrated contemporary. Prince Metternich. the
Chancellor of the Austrian Empire during the first
half Of the nineteenth century show the extent 10
which they in direct personal correspondence
with foreign rulers King Edward who enjoys so
we'll deserved reputation for tact IN such matters.
has both written and telesraPhed 10 French pre-
r-iers and ministers Of foreign affairs
No one has ever dreamed of taking exception to
calls made by cabinet ministers on foreign SOW
eretgns or 10 audiences granted by the latter TO
cabinet ministers of friendly powers IN fart II
would excite comment if there were any absence
Of personal intercourse of this kind and ii Is diff
c1,lt TO see what possible difference there be
bst vreen long personal interviews Of cabinet min
listers with foreign rulers, on the one hand, ana
personal correspondence by letter between them on
the other. Anything that is calculated TO promote
q better understanding between nations IS to be
commended. and If friendly personal intercourse,
either verbal by letter, contribute 20 this
In any way as n undoubtedly must il is foolish
to indulge in such denunciations those of The
London Times"