New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-16
Former Russian Ambassa,
dor Gives Lie to State
ments Made in Berlin
France a Dupe
M. Iswolsky Asserts German
Emperor Considered Alsace
Issue Dead

PARIS. Sept. 15.-Some OF the state
ments made by Emperor William in
telegram to Emperor Nicholas OF
Russia, brought forward to show that
secret agreement had been reached
between them in 1904 O5 to attempt an
alignment of Germany, Russia and
France against England, are challenged
in an interview in the Temps by
Alexander p. Iswolsky, former Russian
Ambassador 10 France.
NJ. Iswolsky declares this secret
agreement was cancelled in the fall OF
1905 and was not renewed. He states
also that Emperor William told HIM
during the interview that he consid-
cred the question Of Aleace-Lorraine
was a dead issue, France failing to
take up the challenge to fight Germany
when Germany threw down the CANT
let during the Moroccan crisis, early IN
1905
NJ. Iswolsky. who was the Russian
Minister at Copenhagen at the time IN
question, admits that he had an inter-
view with Emperor William at Copen-
hagen in July, 1905. but declares that
he did not express himself as repre-
sented by Emperor William IN tele-
gram of August 2, 1905, TO the erect
that should war come and an attack De
made on the Baltic Sea by foreign
power the Danes would be likely 10
resign themselves to an occupation OF
Denmark by Germany and Russia.
NJ. Iswolsky recalls that Emperor
William solicited the interview through
Balon Won Schoen, German Minister at
Copenhagen. at the end OF July, shorty
after VI. Iswolsky had successfully ne
gotiated with Denmark the passage
through the Grand Belt adjacent 10
Danish shores OF Admiral RoJesNen-
sky's feet on its historic cruise 10 the
Pacific in the Russo-Japanese war ne
said that in view Of the friendly way
Russia had been treated by. denmark
he could not have considered WIN the
Emperor an eventual aggression py
Germany against Denmark or any MN.
tary action whatever by RUSSIA against
Danish neutrality.
Emperor Williams dispatch on that
subject, which you have Just SHOWN
me. is entirely erroneous on tn"t
point" said NJ. Iswolsky. Il have a
very precise recollection Of my CONVEX,
sation with the German Emperor.
was struck by the insistence WIN
which he explained the necessity oil
an alliance between Russia, Germany
and France against England: r,
"'The real guarantee Of sohdly
established peace the Emperor said,
is 20 be found in the close collaoora,
ton of the three great continental
powers. Such an alliance would pre-
clude British hegemony and assure the
entire world the benefits of peace
'In reply 10 doubts that | expressed
concerning France" continues NJ. lswol-
skv in the interview, "the Emperor de-
veioped the idea that it was necessary,
so TO sneak. 70 constrain France TO &C
cent a Russo-G German alliance and TO
oblige her, willingly or not, to join IT.
NJ. Iswolsky reveals that prior TO the
meeting between Emperor William anc
Emperor Nicholas at Swinemuende II
the summer of 1907, when they were &C
companied by NJ. Iswolsky and Prince
Won Buelow. the German chance Tor
Fmneror Nicholas preached the subJec'
of the secret treaty declared to have
been signed at Bjoerke n July, 1905
and expressed his firm determination
rot TO reconsider the cancellation of 1t
NJ Iswolsky says he subsequently in
formed Prince Won Buclow that the
treaty was null and void.