March 10.
Tue German Emperor, it has been airersly remarked on mere than one occasion, has a g>nius for dramatic intervention. A cynic wight retort that ie 1" easy for crowned heads to be dramatic at the expense of disereticr; and Lord Preedmouth which for three would quote in point the letter to
days has kept the world's cables throbbing. But in the present instance we may so far disagree with the cynic as to believe that nothing was farther from the Emperor Williat mind than any desire towards international—footlights. At the first disclosure of the letter's existence it was impossible not recall how the Emperor made use of a visit to England to attempt to influence the British Government in favour of his Baghdad railway schemes. But subsequent information has put the letter to Lord Tweedmocth in a different light. If the telegrams which we publish to-day from German sources may be relied upon, His Majesty is so far conscience-clear as to the letter's contents that he is a, able to their being published, if the British Government wishes it: and apart altogether from Mr. Asquith's statement that the Navy Esti: nates for 1908 had taken definite shape before the letter arrived, there is an evident sincerity about the Emperor's exclamation that, just as he
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.