NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Times of Friday publishes a letter on its leader page the importance of which it is exceedingly difficult to estimate till further light has been obtained. The episode may prove merely an indiscretion, or rather a series of indis- cretions, or, again, it may turn out to have the very gravest consequences. Till we know more of the facts we can only suspend judgment. The facts are as follows. Beneath the beading, "Under Which King?" the Times Military Corre- spondent makes the following statement :— "It has come to my knowledge that his Majesty the German Emperor has recently addressed a letter to Lord Tweedmouth on the subject of British and German naval policy, and it is affirmed that this letter amounts to an attempt to influence, in German interests, the Minister responsible for our Navy. Estimates. The letter is undoubtedly authentic, and a reply to it has been despatched. In these circumstances, and as the matter has become an open secret owing to the number of persons to whom it has, most unwisely and unfortunately, been made known, I venture to urge that the letter in question, together with the reply, should be laid before Parliament without delay."
