The King's visit to Kiel is exciting very great interest
and expectation in Germany. The Berlin Tageblatt, for example, observes that Mr. Balfour's reference to Germany gives a political importance to King Edward's visit which is not to be underrated, and that certainly high politics, and not merely yachting, will be discussed at Kiel The Rhenish Westfalische Zeitung says that the Germans are ready to forget British independence, but cannot contract new friendships at the expense of old and approved ones, such as Russia's. The writer concludes by saying: " The more Germany shows that she is not going to be led into an anti-Russian attitude, the more Germans can await with equanimity the results of the Kiel visit" We have dealt with this aspect of the visit elsewhere, and pointed out the danger of entering upon any diplomatic projects hand in hand with Germany or at Germany's in- stigation. If our Government give ear to German inter- national projects, they are only too likely to be led into some diplomatic morass like that into which they floundered in regard to Venezuela and the Baghdad Railway. Those were the results of the last attempt to work with Germany. The Germans do not want to come to any loyal and practical understanding with us, like that just achieved with France; but they do want to counteract the evil effects of their present isolation by getting us into a diplomatic entanglement. The entente cordials with France is the best piece of work done in foreign affairs for the last fifty years, and it would be the height of folly to detract from it, and from the possibility of reaching a better understanding with Russia under French auspices, by committing a belise with Germany. Our reply to German suggestions to make things easier for Russia should be :—" If it should prove possible without injury to Japan, we shall be glad; but in that case we shall act through Russia's ally, France, and not through any other Power." •
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