New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2 | Page 9

continually held up as the sole danger and
menace to Great Britain by the whole press of the different contending
parties, considering that other countries are building, too, and there are
even larger fleets than the German.
Fears German Retaliation.
Doubtless, when party faction runs high there is often a lamentable lack
of discrimination in the choice of weapons, but I really must protest
that the German naval programme should be only one for her exclusive
use, or that such a poisoned view should be forged as a German
challenge to British supremacy of the sea. If permanently used mischief
may be created at home, and the injured feeling engendering the wish
for retaliation in the circle of the German Naval League as a
representative of the nation which would influence public opinion and
place the Government in a very disagreeable position by trying to force
it to change its programme through undue pressure, difficult to ignore.
In a letter which Lord Esher caused to be published a short time ago he
wrote that every German, from the Emperor down to the last man,
wished for the downfall of Sir John Fisher. Now I am at a loss to tell
whether the supervision of the foundations and drains of royal palaces
is apt to qualify somebody for the judgment of naval affairs in general.
As far as regards German affairs, the phrase is a piece of unmitigated
balderdash, and has created immense merriment in the circles of those
here who know. But I venture to think that such things ought not to be
written by people who are high placed, as they are liable to hurt public
feelings over here.
Of course I need not assure you that nobody here dreams of wishing to
influence Great Britain in the choice of those to whom she means to
give the direction of her navy or to disturb them in the fulfillment of
their noble task. It is expected that the choice will always fall on the
best and ablest, and their deeds will be followed with interest and
admiration by their brother officers in the German Navy.
It is, therefore, preposterous to infer that the German authorities work
for or against persons in official positions in foreign countries. It is as

ridiculous as it is untrue, and I hereby repudiate such calumny. Besides,
to my humble notion, this perpetual quoting of the German danger is
utterly unworthy of the great British Nation, with its world-wide
empire and mighty navy. There is something nearly ludicrous about it.
The foreigners in other countries might easily conclude that Germans
must be an exceptionally strong lot, as they seem to be able to strike
terror into the hearts of the British, who are five times their superiors.
I hope your Lordship will read these lines with kind consideration.
They are written by one who is an ardent admirer of your splendid navy,
who wishes it all success, and who hopes that its ensign may ever wave
on the same side as the German Navy's, and by one who is proud to
wear a British naval uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, which was
conferred on him by the late great Queen of blessed memory.
Once more the German naval bill is not aimed at England and is not a
challenge to British supremacy of the sea, which will remain
unchallenged for generations to come. Let us all remember the warning
Admiral Sir John Fisher gave to his hearers in November, when so
cleverly he cautioned them not to get scared by using the admirable
phrase "if Eve had not always kept her eye on the apple she would not
have eaten it, and we should not now be bothered with clothes."
I remain yours truly,
WILLIAM I. R., Admiral of the Fleet.
* * * * *

Attacks Kaiser's Veracity.
The Morning Post, commenting on the letter of the Kaiser, says:
It is not usual for an Emperor to address a Minister of a foreign country
with reference to the affairs of his department. It is a fact that it is not
done. Lord Tweedmouth said the letter was a private letter. The
German Chancellor, Prince von Bülow, said the letter partook of both a

private and a political character. The fact remains that it involved an
extraordinary breach of etiquette. There is no reflection cast upon the
late Lord Tweedmouth. No one can help receiving a letter from an
Emperor if that monarch condescends to dispatch it. Few persons,
perhaps, could help being influenced, albeit unconsciously influenced,
by the perusal of such an epistle.
Perhaps the German Emperor reflected upon that psychological
contingency; for to what conclusion is the whole tenor of the letter
directed? That the German Navy existed solely for purposes of defense