Herr von Mühlberg told me that the Emperor spoke very strongly to the English Ambassador at Berlin about Mr. Lee's philippics. The latter has since published a corrected version of his speech, in which the phrases offensive to Germany are altered.[1] However, they do not seem to put much faith here in this denial.
Believe me, etc.,
(Signed) GREINDL.
THE KAISER'S VISIT TO TANGIER.
No. 3.Count de Lalaing, Belgian Minister in London,
to Baron de Favereau, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Your Excellency.
You are aware of the unpopularity of the German Emperor in England, especially since his historic telegram;[2] and you know that the nation has no great love for Germany. The Emperor's visit to Tangier[3] has not failed to- call forth disagreeable articles in the Press, which is glad to have an opportunity of venting its spite against the sovereign of a country which, besides being England's commercial rival, aims at creating a first-class Navy, and which is at this moment encouraging the people of Morocco in their sullen opposition to the designs of France.[4]
It is feared that Germany will insist on tho maintenance of the "open door" at Tangier, and will uphold the independence! of the Sultanate, and thereby thwart the policy of "peaceful penetration" on which France, with England's consent, has embarked.
People seem convinced that in going to Tangier the Emperor meant to read a lesson not only to France, but also to France's friend.
This sensitiveness on the part of Britain with respect to Berlin has existed for a long time, but it is not reassuring to find it increasing rather than diminishing.
So far, the English Cabinet has had no occasion to express its views, nor has the question been mooted in the House; but there is a popular rumour that the reply to the Emperor William's attitude will ta an Anglo-French
- ↑ id.
- ↑ To President Kruger congratulating him on defeating the Jameson raid upon the Transvaal.
- ↑ March, 1905.
- ↑ The German Emperor's visit to Tangier was an act of German State policy in which the Emperor followed the advice of his Ministers (see von Bülow's "Imperial Germany" Cassell). It was, in effect, a challenge to the Secret Agreements between Britain, France, and Spain for the territorial and economic partition of Morocco. The existence of these Secret Agreements, which were concluded in April and October, 1904, were hinted at by the French Press in the autumn of that year. Their general character was then either surmised or actually known in Berlin. Their text was only revealed to the world in November, 1911. For all Notes on the Morocco affair, the reader is further referred to "Ten Years' Secret Diplomacy" (National Labour Press).
