We will not enter into the German Emperor's defence of
his action in Morocco in regard to the recognition of Mulai Hafid, but we must note his general assurance that his actions speak louder than words in the matter of friendship with Britain. It was his action, he tells us, which brought about the absolute collapse of the mission of Boer delegates who were striving to obtain European intervention. The German Emperor also declares that when the struggle was at its height the German Government were invited by the Governments of France and Russia to join with them in calling upon England to put an end to the war. Again, we must point out that it is exceedingly difficult to deal with this passage if we are to act on the assumption that not to accept the Imperial version of certain diplomatic occurrences is a personal insult to the German Emperor. We must take leave, however, to observe that there exists in the records of the European Chancelleries a very different story, from which it is apparent that neither France nor Russia, though at that time our relations were not of the best with either State, was willing to take provocative action, even though that was sug- gested by a third Power. Further than this we cannot discuss the matter broached by the German Emperor, for we feel convinced that it is just one of those questions which, if pushed and pressed too far, might produce the very result which we desire, as strongly as the German Emperor, to avoid,—the creation of ill-feeling between this country and Germany.
