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.
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