The sun., 1917-08-16
EXPOSE BY GERARD
A BLOW FOR KAISER
German Press Criticises Will
helm for Meddling in For
eign Affairs.

CoPESHAaEN, Aug. 15.--PublIcation Of
Emperor Williams telegram to Presi-
dent Wilson in the memoirs OF exam
bassador Gerard and the lame and he
lated attempt at explanation made by
the sem!-official Norddeutschc AHoe-
metne Zcttnn1 call forth criticism in
the German press of what is termed the
German Emperor's irresponsible 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 neutral Power and to draft an
important state document without con-
sultation with "A responsible Minister or
even without the necessary record sub
sequently being made
The incertitude of the semi Official
organ. which can only say that "possi-
bly, the Emperor may have drafted
some such memorandum. occasions gen.
eral discomfort
The German press also sharply criti-
cises the action OF the censor who pre-
vented the publication OF any reference
to the Gerard disclosures for almost a
week after Entente and neutral news
papers had printed full particulars, and
the inability Of the new German Foreign
Secretary. DR.. Won kuhlmann. In his first
official action to produce q frmer or
more convincing refutation or explana-
ton.
The Berlin newspapers intimate that
the question OF ministerial responsibility
or non-responsibility for Emperor Will
iam's autographed document will be
raised In the Rechstag. the situation in
general lines resembling that arising
from the famous interview with the Em-
peror printed In the London Daily Tele-
9rdph several years ago, which likewise
appeared without the Chancellor, Foreign
Secretary or other responsible officials
having any definite idea OF it's contents
The most comprehensive presentation
OF press opinion Is given by the Ham
burger Fremdenbldt. 1t criticises the
delay In appearance OF the semi Official
statement, which, the newspaper says.
was neither adroit nor forceful, be-
trays the embarrassment of the writer
and adopts tone OF discouraged def
ance."
The Fremden blat is inclined to cues
tion the veracity Of the assertion made
by the Norddentsche Alloemeine ZeitunQ
tnat the document was not a telegram,
saying that IL Ambassador Gerard really
characterized mere notes jotted down To
assist his memory as formal telegram
from the Emperor 1t would undoubtedly
be incorrect, but adding that the semi
omcial newspaper does not question that
the Ideas were the Emperor's
The Fremdenblat concludes that the
explanation OF the Norddeutsche AHae-
meme Zeitun0 is not calculated to ra se
German prestige and admonishes For
eign Secretary Won Kuhlmann when next
he Is confronted by revelations from the
other side to deny them boldly and
stoutly.
Count Won Reventlow, writing in the
Td0es Zettun0, shifts the blame for the
Emperor's irresponsible action from his
| Majesty to Or. Won Rethmaun-H Hullwsg
the former Imperial Chancellor, who. the
writer says, should have been present
The Count attacks tho ex- Chancellor for
failing to warn the Emperor about the
insidious personality of the Ambas-
sador"
| In all the press comment the German
Emperor and the Government officials
| get most OF t.ie hard knocks. The sub
stance OF Mr.. Gerards statements $
largely ignored,