The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-01
Viscount Haldane Charged
With knowledge of Ger
many's Intentions.
WITHHELD WARNING
Many Sidelights on Ante-Bel-
lum Events Published To-
day in London.

London, Aug. 31.--Important revea-
tons which form a valuable chapter in
the history of the British and Ger
man negotiations during the eight
years before the war will be published
by the Manchester Guardian Satur-
day. The revelations are 4 detailed
account of the negotiations which
Richard b ,rdon Haldane (now Wis
count Haldane), then secretary for
war, conducted with Emperor William,
DIR. Won Bcthmann- Hollwcg, the Ger
man imperial chancellor: Admiral Won
Tirpitz, minister of the German navy.
and other German leaders, including
striking conversations
Haldane was the foremost student
Of Germany among the British public
men and his career has been a storm
center since the war. the gist of the
attacks upon him being based on a
charge that he knew of Germany's de-
signs but had treasured his fellow
countrymen that all was well.
To Germany in 1906.
Haldane visited Germany in Sep
TENDER. 1905, as minister of war. He
was working in close connection with
ister). He took part first in CONVEX
sations with the French general staff
The idea of these conversations was
if Germany attacked France. Great
Britain should be prepared to give
military assistance and help hold the
frontier opposite Belgium.
Invited to Maneuvers.
Emperor William read a speech Hal
dane made to London Germans and in
Nited him to attend the maneuvers.
Haldane was anxious to get useful in
formation about the German organiza-
ton and accepted. On his way he
visited King Edward, who was stop
ping at Marienbad.
He then saw King Ferdinand of
Bulgaria. says the Guardian, "who
was worrying King Edward with a
project that If rumor is true it BODIED
no good to Greece. King Edward did
not want to talk politics with Ferd-
nand. He told Haldane that he must
put an end to all of Ferdinands con-
versations with himself
Haldane, not desiring to hear Ferdi-
hands projects against Greece. talked
50 volnblr-on other topics that Ferdi-
nand could not get in a word edge
wise
Plans for Eneland's Invasion.
Haldane and two assistants went
thoroughly into the organization of
the German war office. rubbing some
Of the officials the wrong way. They
afterward thawod, however Iiea
tenant General Won Moltke. chief of
asked Haldanc to put whatever cues
tions he liked
In that case" replied IEaldane II
shall call for the plans for an invasion
of England"
Won Moltke replied we have not
one in the building" to which Hal
dane, looking out of the window
toward the admiralty. said perhaps
they are there" Won Moltke admitted
that they were there and they were
very good plans. too.
Bagdad Railway
The article gives for the first time
Emperor's Williams negotiation for
the Bagdad railway agreement While
visiting Windsor Castle in November.
1907. Emperor William took Haldane
dSlue the 1lTSl evening OF his visit and
said how sorry he MAS there Was so
much friction over the Baedad rail
way.
My answer was We wanted a cato
10 protect India from troops coming
down the new railway" said Haldane.
Asked what he meant 10y a gate
way, Haldane replied that he meant
control of the tarthest section of the
railWay-the one nearest the Persian
gulf. To this Emperor William re-
piled:
! will give you the gate"
The foreign office regarded the ne
gotiations favorably. but it was con-
sidered necessary To bring in France
and Russia, whose interests also We're
involved. conference in Berlin was
arranged with the support of Emperor
William, but it was defeated at Berlin
on the ground that an agreement
about the Bagdad railway was no
business of Russia.
This says the article, was the first
and clearest intention of two facts
about the German foreign poicy-that
the emperor was not quite master in
His own house and that official Berlin
was divided into two parties, one anx-
------------ --------