New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
Kaiser Criticised
By German Press
For Gerard Note
Emperor's irresponsible
Conduct of Foreign AT
fairs" Discussed

COPENHAGEN, Aug. Is. - Publica-
ton of Emperor Williams telegram
TO President Wilson in the memoirs
Of cx-Ambassador Gerard and the lame
and belated attempt at explanation
made by the semi-officisl "Norddeusche
Allgemeine Zeitung" call forth criti-
cism in the German press Of what Is
termed the German Emperor's irrespon-
sible conduct OF the foreign affairs OF
the empire.
The various Berlin newspapers com
ment on the system which permits a
sovereign to pass upon such proposal
from a neutral power and to draft an
important state document without con-
sultation with a responsible minister,
or even without the necessary record
subsequently being made.
The incertitude of the semi-official
organ, which can only say that pos
sibly" the Emperor may have drafted
some such memorandum. occasions gen
eral discomfort.
Censor Is Criticised
The German press also sharply criti-
cses the action Of the censor, who pre-
vented the publication of any reference
to the Gerard disclosures for nearly a
week after Entente and neutral news
papers had printed full particulars. and
the inability of the new German For
eign Secretary. DR.. Won Kuehlmann, in
his first official action to produce a
firmer or more convincing refutation or
explanation.
The Berlin newspapers intimate that
the question Of ministerial response
bility or non-responsibility for En-
peror Williams autographed document
will be raised in the Reichstag, the
situation in general lines resembling
that arising from the famous interview
with the Emperor printed in the Lon
don Daily Telegraph" several years
ago, which likewise appeared without
the Chancellor. Foreign Secretary or
other responsible official having any
definite idea of it's contents.
The most comprehensive presentation
of press opinion is given by the Ham
burger Fremdenblatt." It criticises the
delay in appearance of the seml-ofticial
statement. which, the newspaper says,
was neither adroit nor forceful, be-
trays the embarrassment of the writer
and adopts a tone Of discouraged de-
fiance."
Veracity of Denial Questioned
The "Fremdenblatt" is inclined to
question the veracity of the assertion
made by the "Norddeusche ALICE
meme Zeltung" that the document was
not telegram, saying that if Ambas-
sador Gerard really characterized mere
notes iotted down to assist his MEM
orv as a formal telegram from the
Emperor it would undoubtedly be in
correct, but adding that the SEMI
official newspaper does not question
that the ideas were the Emperor's.
The "Fremdenblat" concludes that
the explanation of the "Norddeutsche
Allgemeine Zeitung" is not calculated
to raise German prestige and admon-
ishes Foreign Secretary Won kuehl-
mann when next he is confronted by
revelations from the other side to deny
them boldly and stoutly.
Count Won Reyentlow, writing in the
shifts the blame for
the Emperor's irresponsible action
from his majesty to DR.. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg, former Imperial Chancellor,
who. the writer says. should have been
present. The count attacks the ex-
chancellor for failing 70 warn the
Emperor cbout the insidious person
ality of the ambassador"
In all the press comment the German
Emperor and the government officials
get most of the hard knocks. The sub
Stance of Mr.. Gerard's statements is
largely ignored.