Evening star., 1920-01-14
|CzAR IS CONSULTED
| AS TO ALLIANCE
Wilhelm Takes Part of Turk,
Advising "Nicky" to Do
Likewise.
Copyright. 1920 }

How the kaiser's diplomacy led to
the great war is made clear when the
events of the preceding two decades
are taken in connection with one of
the kaiser's letters to the Russian
czar published today. In the letter
the kaiser tells Nicholas that England
has made an offer of an alliance
to Germany. and that he must know
Russias attitude before he can act
on it, especially as the alliance also
contemplates the inclusion of Japan
and the United States. This English
German alliance had been discussed
for several years and up to this
date the kaiser had angrily rejected
the idea. According to other testI-
mony. notably that of the Frefherr
van Eckardstein, counselor of the
German embassy in London in 1896,
steps to an alliance were f1rst taken
by Lord Salisbury, who made pro-
posal to the kaiser when the latter
was attending the Cowes regatta on
August 5. 1895, which was spurned.
The kaiser's letter speaks of the Of
fer being made definitely in 1898. The
czar's answer is not at hand.
According to Won Eckardstein, who
had his information from Lord Sails
bury. the latter proposed that Turkey
be divided between England, Ger
many and Austria. This, he says. au-
tomatically would have meant the in
clusion of England in the triple al
lance At that time England mad not
yet joined in an entente with france
The kaiser had his choice of cooper
alton with the British or of entering
into that worldwide competition with
them which eventually led him TO oe-
clare war. Evidently the kaiser de-
cided in 1898 definitely for the latter
course He began his celebrated trip
to Turkey, where he laid the ground
work for undermining British inter
N n2ht-
ing at his side in 1914. He endeavored
at the same time to get Russia to CO.
operate with Germany with regard
to Turkey.
Passage Through DaFdanel1es.
1t should be remembered in this
connection that the czar had long de-
sired to gain free passage 1or rus
sia through the Dardanelles and that
in 1896 he had approved plan OF
the Russian ambassador at Constan-
tinople to attack the Turkish forti-
fications and seize the heights of the
Resporus q plan that was nipped IN
the bud by Sergius Witte. the minis
ter of finance of Russia Russia view
ed Turkey much as 1t did Persla-as'
diplomacy. evidently was to make
friend of the Turk and gain Russia
acouiescence in this friendship and
to become a partner with RUSSIA III
developing the near east AT any rate.
the kaiser appears to have maoe up
his mind to play for Russlan &c cooper hear.
alton against Great Britain. but above
ali to enter the lists against Britain
The letters were brought from
MOSCOW by Isaac Don Levine
Saws England Wants Alliance.
Berlin. May 80, 1898 tprivate and
very confidential). Dearest Nicky:
with a suddenness wholly unexpected
to me am I placed before grave oe-
cision which is of vital importance
to NV country and which is so far-
reachinx that I cannot foresee the
ultimate consequences. The traol-
tons in which I was reared oy my
beloved grandfather OF blessed MEM
ory as regards our two houses anu
countries have, as you will own, a.
ways been kept by me as a noy o
ouest from him, and my loyalty 10
Won and your family is, I hatter my
self, above any suspicion. l there,
fore come to you as my friend ana
confident to lay the anairs pe1ore
YOU as one who expects a frank an1
loyal answer to frank ana ioS@S
question. .u ~. .t-
tacks on my country and person, tlii
then showered on US by the Br1tlsn
nress and people, suddenly feil on
and there was, as you VIII nave Rei
ceived. a momentary lull. This rather
astonished us at home. ana we Mere W.
private inquiry I found ont that ~. M;
the queen herself, through friend
~ hers. had sent word to the BRUSH
napers that she wished this unnopie
and false game to cease.
"This in the land OF the Tree pres ssa
Such an unwonted step naturally led
ns To the conclusion that something
vas in the air. About Easter cele-
brated politician propriomotu SUD
denlv sent for my ambassador ana a
hrule pour point (without ado) OF
fered him a treaty Of alliance win
England! Count Hatxfeio. tGermah M
tonished. said he could not quite
make out how that could be after ali
that had passed between US since 80.
oner sincerely Meant.
.rhe answer was that the offer was
mad. In real earnest and was sim
c.relv meant. My ambassador said
he would report, but that he doubted
very much whether parliament wouid
ever ratify such treaty. Engiand III
now always having made clear 70
anvbodv who wished to hear It that
Il never by any means would make an
alliance with any continental power
whoever II may be! Because 1t WISH
ed to keep its liberty OF acton. IN
1897. Jubilee year. this princlp!e was
even put into verse: say SAYING 81. .na !. cas-
ecfeant it could fight the whole worla
alone. with the refrain: We've got
the ships, we've got the men, Ss
got the money, too" The ansWe, was
that the prospect had compiet1as
changed and that this oner .sa ~
cnest was urgently renewed: out Dy
NV commands cooliy and diIatoriiy
answered In a colorless manner
thought the affair had ended
oue.tion Of Life and Death.
"Now however, the request has been
renewed for the third time IN sucn
an unmistakable manner, puttihs a
certain short term to my dehnl'e an
swer and accompanied }ya py sud and ereat
future opening for my country. ina.
think il nv duty to Germany uuly
to rafieet before I answer. Now be-
fore I do 1t frankly and openly come
to you. my esteemed 1fisna f.s1 th.t any II
cousin. to inform you .aS as of % life and
death We two have the same opin-
;nns wa want peace, and we have
sustained and upheld II tn tn n1W: nmi
What the tendency o. o.u the r,dar- d.r-
stand, AS / am informed that tn the
ai1iance is to be with: the triple ALI
ance and with the addition OF Japan
and America, with whom pcurpariers
nv. a,ready been opened! What the
Chances chan are for US in refusing or &C, ,
Gaming YOU may calculate yourself.
Now as NV old and trusted friend 1
beg you to toll me what you can oner
! me and will do if refuse. d Bei9re :, !.
answer in this dificult position.
must be able to see clearly. and clear
and open without any back thought