The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-07
GERMANAPHOBESlN ENGLAND SEE WAR Explanation of Kaiser's Letter on British Naval Policy
 Fails to Satisfy
 People. SEEK LETTERS PUBLICITY London Times Story Taken to Mean Attempt to Undermine Nation
 by Seducing Naval
 Minister.
SEEK LETTERS PUBLICITY

honuon, March 6.-An outburSt of anger against Emperor William by the British public, equalling that caused py the German emperor's famous tele- gram to President Kruger some years ago, has followed the announcement made this morning by the Times that Emperor William attempted to influ- ence the British naval policy by se- cfet correspondence with Lord Tweed mouth, first lord of the admiralty.
 The Germanaphobe party, which never was stronger than now. imme- diately jumped to the conclusion that Emperor William was trying to med dle in the most vital matter in Great Britain's national interests by under hand methods. The public at first shared that view and parliment, the newspapers and the diplomats had the greatest sensation they had enjoyed for many day. The matter was con- sldered so serious that Lord Tweed mouth broke his customary reticence and hastened to say: "The letter from the German emperor is purely a per sonal communication and there is no reference in 1t to the British naval es- timates."
 Lord Tweedmouth visited the house of commons this afternoon and con ferred with the liberal leaders. The cabinet met afterward. It had been announced at first that Herbert Hen ry Asquith, chancellor of the exchequer would make a statement concerning the matter next Monday; but the pub lie was so excited and so many mem- bers of parliament had given notice that they would ask questions in the lower house about the correspondence that the cabinet decided something must be done at once. Mir. Asqulth, appeared therefore in the house of commons at the close of it's sitting and made a brief statement to crowded | house, elaborating, amid profound si- lence, Lord Tweedmouth's explanation that the correspondence was purely personal.
 Tt is fact" declared the chancel- Tor, that on February IS Lord Tweed mouth received letter from the Ger man emperor. It was purely person. al and private communication, con- ceived in an entirely friendly spirit. | My noble friends answer was equally private and informal, and neither the letter nor its answer was known or communicated to the cabinet I may add in view of certain suggestions which have been made, that before the letter arrived the cabinet had come to it's final decision with regard to the naval estimates for this year.
 1 These explanations only stimulate curiosity and criticism, instead of ap- peasing them, and strong demand IS heard everywhere for the publication of both letters. Nothing else will sat isfy the British public and probably | this will be done eventually.
 The only inklings regarding Emper- or Williams letter which have leaked l from the inner circle are that 1t was an attempt to refute frequent asser- tions in leading Englnsh newspapers | that the German naval program was animated wholly by hostility to Great Britain. If this proves to be the true version of the incident the whole sem sation may collapse as quickly as it grew, but if the letter was of the na- ture suggested by the Times 1t will be equally as damaging to the govern ment to publish or withhold 1t, unless Lord Tweedmouth should be repudlat- ed and thrown overheard.
 If the relations between Great Brit ain and Germany were not so strained l the action in writing the letter would be considered nearly a technical mis- take or an informality; but Germany is a bugfbear to a large proportion of the British people, who firmly believe she is deliberately planning war and is trying to soothe British suspicious until she is ready. Nothing could he more intlammatory than to charge inc emperor with trying to undermine the British strength by seducing her maya minister from the policy for a biz navy
 The government is in an awkward position now to handle any critical in. ternational question. because klg Ed.
 ward is on the continent and Sir Hen. ry Campbell Zimmerman. the nrime
 minister, is too i'll to be consulted or | aa ,,aos+orr