New-York tribune., 1908-04-02
TW EEDMOUTH LETTERS
ALLEGED TEXT PRINTED.
The German Foreign Office Denies
Their 4uthenticity.

Berlin. April 1.-The publication in a Munich
periodical. issued twice month. of what it
says is copy of the letter which Emperor
William sent to Lord Tweedmouth, First Lord
of the British Admiralty, and letter from
Lord Tweedmouth in reply, caused commotiOn
in Berlin to-day. The Foreign Office announced
that the letters published were not copies of the
originals, and the official news agency pro-
nounced the publication April fool joke
Despite these declarations. the impression
prevailed in we'll Informed circles that both
letters authentic.
The paper does not explain how the letters
came into its possession. As reproduced, the
Emperors letter appears harmless, there being
not the slightest attempt in it to influence
Great Britains naval policy. 1t called out
through a published letter of Lord Esher. who
is member of the household of King Edward,
in which he said: There is not a man. in Ger
many. from the Emperor downward who would
not welcome the fall of Sir John Fisher" Sir
John IS Senior Naval Lord of the British Ad- =
miralty.
Referring to this statement. according to the
letter published the Emperor says:
Instead Of allayng distrust. like me and you.
he rekindles it. and that at the fires1e of gen
uemen of the Maritime League. which had al
ready shown no lack of distrust. You know
yourself. my dear lord. that am the last per-
son to take delight in the difficulties of the Sea
I-tfb tTG you KNOW now | think about German
Vaccinations against Tirpitz.
Admiral Tirpitz is Secretary of the Ger
Admiralty
Our sea power,S continues the Emperor ac-
cording to the paper lis one-ffth yours: one
fifth Do you know what that means? 1t means
that Germany can never take the offensive at
sea; only she is not disposed to neglect the duty
of defensive and preservation" The EN-
peror is quoted as adding:
The political doctrine that says the two cir
cles of Germany and Great Britain must cut
across each other is wrong. Nowhere are they
political: always are they economical The eco
nomical tendency of sane enlargement must. be
tween intelligent peoples. never be exploited in
any other way except in the form of peaceful
rivalry.
Referring his visit TO London last November
and an address which ne made at d reception
given in his honor at the Guildhall. the Emperor
is reported as saying:
This time. as well as sixteen years ago, l said
at the Guildhan that 1 honestly wished main
tain peace and friendship with England and
the wishes of the German nation are the same
my During the London week a COM
patriot Of yours appealed 10 healthy human red-
son. Certainly | said to him, we also could
do with some of that" but this requirement does
not confine itself, as / now see, to Germany
alone
must close NJ Cambon. of the French En-
bassy. is waiting to hand me album on the
boundary regulations between the German Cam
erOOnS and the french Congo | close WIN the
knowledge that between two such miSunder-
standings as have happened to Lord ESher are
mpossfble. 1t would be good thing if, before
he occupies himself with naval politics and be-
fore he attributes intentions which do not exist
others. he would think how he might possibly
induce the drain pipes at Windsor TO produce
normal ventilation.
/ am very well in spite Of this wet weather
The Empress remembers with pleasure the
beautiful days at Windsor, and often reminds
me of the lovely coors of the woods near the
Flemish farm a day Of successful pheasant
shooting. | remain etc.
In his reply, the paper says, Lord Tweed
mouth thanks the Emperor for his gratifying
confidence. and says that it is certainly true
with him and with the great majority Of his
countrymen that misunderstanding Of his
ma aiestys intentions is out of the question The
era of misunderstanding, says Lord Tweed
mouth. lis closed 1t is closed in consequence
of the impressions left behind by the days of
November.
He remarks jestingIy that he has no occasion
to feel i'll will toward the governor of the drain
pipes at Windsor whose business ii is TO pro-
duce pure ventilation for, continues he, ito his
mishap ] am indebted for your majesty's auto
graphic letter" Lord TWeedmouth concludes
with expressions Of deep respect.