The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-10-03
War Pact Scorned by Berlin
When Offered by England in
1901, Says Deposed Emperor

ficulty had been experienced In the |
open roadstead of Tangier, and it met |
with certain amount of friendly par
ticipation by Italian and Southern |
French anarchists, rogues and adven-
turers. A lot of Spaniards stood upon
small square, amid waving banners
and loud cries; these according to a
police official who accompanied us,
were an assembly of Spanish anarch-
lists.
The first learned about the con-
sequences of my Tangier visit was
when l got to Gibraltar and was for
mally and frigidly received by the Eng
lish, in marked contrast to my cor
dial reception the year before. What
had foreseen was justified by the
facts. Embitterment and anger
reigned in Paris, and Delcasse tried
to rouse the nation to war; the only
reason that he did not succeed was
that both the Minister of War and
the Minister of the Navy declared
France not yet ready.
The fact that my fears were justi-
fled was also cOrroborated later by
the conversation between Delcasse
and the editor of LIE Gaulois, in which
the Minister informed an astonished
world that, in case of war, England
would have sided with France. Thus,
even as far back as that, / ran the
risk, through the Tangier visit forced
upon me, of getting blamed for the un-
claiming of a world war. To think
and act constitutionally is often hard
task for ruler upon whom in every
case responsibility is finally saddled.
In October, 1905, the Paris Matin
reported that Delcasse had declared
in the Council of Ministers that Eng
land had Altered, in case Of war, to
land 100000 men in Holstein and seize
the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal This Eng
lish offer was repeated once more later
on, with the suggestion that it be af-
firmed in writing. And the well-known
Jaures, who was murdered in accord
ance with the political ideas of Isvol-
sky upon the outbreak of war in 1914,
knew beforehand about the statements
by Delcasse published in the Matin.
The downfall of Delcasse and the
accession of Rouvier to his post are
to be ascribed partly to the influence
of the Prince of Monaco. During the
Regatta Week at Kiel the Prince had
assured himself, by talks with me, the
| Imperial Chancellor and Government
officials, of the sincerity Of our desire
to compromise with France for the
purpose of enabling us to live at peace
with each other. He stood well with
the ambassador, Prince Radolin, and
worked actively toward a rappFoche
ment between the two countries.
The Prince of Monaco himself was
of the opinion that Delcasse was a
menace to the maintenance of peace
and hoped that he would soon fall and
be replaced by Rouvier, who was &
prudent politician thoroughly inclined
to coming to an understanding with
Germany. The Prince said that he
was on good terms with Rouvier per
sonally and would willingly place him
self at the disposal of the German Am
bassador as a go-between.
Negotiations FruItIess
Then came Delcasse's fall, and Rou
vier became Minister At once
caused the initiation of the measure!
wherein I could count upon the sup
port of the Prince of Monaco. TIL,
Chancellor was instructed to prepare
a rapprochement with France. And
t. particularly told Prince Radolin, wht
personally received his instructions il