“Look at the accomplished rise of Japan.  Think of a possible national awakening in China, and then judge of the vast problems of the Pacific.  Only those powers which have great navies will be listened to with respect when the future of the Pacific comes to be solved, and if for that reason only Germany must have a powerful fleet.  It may even be that England herself will be glad that Germany has a fleet when they speak together in the great debates of the future.”

The interviewer concludes: 

“The Emperor spoke with all that earnestness which marks his manner when speaking on deeply pondered subjects.  I ask my fellow-countrymen who value the cause of peace to weigh what I have written and revise, if necessary, their estimate of the Kaiser and his friendship for England by his Majesty’s own words.  If they had enjoyed the privilege of hearing them spoken they would no longer doubt either his Majesty’s firm desire to live on the best of terms with England or his growing impatience at the persistent mistrust with which his offer of friendship is too often received.”

The Consequences.

On Nov. 17 following Prince von Buelow met the Kaiser at Kiel, taking with him evidence of the feeling in Germany regarding the Emperor’s published interview and setting forth: 

First, that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundesrat, or Federal Council, is firm in the opinion formulated at the meeting held yesterday that it would be wiser for the Emperor not to express views affecting the relations of the empire with other countries except through his responsible Ministers.  This expression, derives weight from the fact that the Governments of Bavaria, Wuerttemberg, and Saxony were represented on the committee.

Second, that the entire Reichstag assented to the declarations made by the speakers on Tuesday that the Emperor had exceeded his constitutional prerogatives in private discussion with foreigners concerning Germany’s attitude on controverted questions.

     Third, that the feeling of the people at large on this matter was
     accurately indicated by the press of the country.

The Kaiser’s reply was published on the same date in the Reichsanzeiger, in the form of a communication, which read: 

During today’s audience granted to the Imperial Chancellor, his Majesty, the Emperor and King, listened for several hours to a report by Prince von Buelow.  The Imperial Chancellor described the feeling and its causes among the German people in connection with the article published in The Daily Telegraph.  He also explained the position he had taken during the course of the debates and interpellations on this subject in the Reichstag.  His Majesty the Emperor received the statements and explanations with great earnestness, and then expressed his will as follows: 

“Heedless of the exaggerations