LVIII 28/XII/1907

From World War I Document Archive
Jump to navigation Jump to search

WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Willy-Nicky Letters between the Kaiser and the Czar > 'Willy-Nicky' Letters XLIX - LXXV (22 August 1905 - 26 March 1914) > LVIII 28/XII/1907


'Comrades in Autocracy'
This picture, taken on one of the Czar's last visits to the Kaiser in Germany, gives an extremely interesting and accurate facial character study of the two ill-fated monarchs.

LVIII
28/XII/1907


Dearest Nicky

With all my heart warmest wishes for 1908. God bless and protect you Alix and the children. Let me hope of having the pleasure of meeting you again. By my visit to England[1] I think I have removed many courses of misunderstanding and of distrust, so that the atmosphere is cleared and the pressure on the safety valve relieved. As a piece of news only quite private and confidential for YOU PERSONALLY, I found the British people very nervous about the Japanese whom they begin to fear and mistrust. The sailing of the American Pacific fleet has angered London highly as they tried everything in their power to hinder it. London is afraid of an encounter between Japan and America, because they must take sides with one of them, as it will be a question of Race, not of Politiks, only Yellow versus White. The dropping of Japan would immediately entail the loss of India; which the Japanese are quietly undermining, revolutionizing etc. The Japanese have foreseen this devolpment and are preparing for it. Perhaps they will first attack India and leave Philippines alone. British Naval and Army officers spoke openly to me and my officers of their disgust at the "Yellow" alliance with Japan, whom they hate. In this state of feelings judge what an effect Count Okumas speech[2] a few days ago has made! The action is that of a Shimose shell in London! Now their newspapers have for the first time used the term "Yellow Peril" from my picture, which is coming true. A German Gentleman just back from Mexico reported to me having himself counted 10,000 Japanese men in the plantations in South Mexico, all in Military Jackets with brass buttons. After work at sundown they all assemble under sergeants and officers who are disguised as simple labourers, in squads and detachments and drill and exercise with staffs of wood, which he observed very often, when they thought they were unobserved. They are Japanese reservists who have hidden arms with them, and intended as army corps to seize the Panama Canal and to cut off communication on land with America. It is not impossible that England will have to send out a squadron to the Pacific, which they are very loth to do. Meanwhile American and British Journalists are having a little friendly nosepulling among each other, which shows the nervousness of the London Press. This is my secret information for YOU PERSONALLY, so that you may have time to arrange for your plans, it is sure information and good, as you well know by now that I never gave you wrong one. The main point is to have ones eyes open and be prepared. The development may be slow, yet incidents may create an unexpected and sudden outburst before the question has ripened, as will sometimes happen. It is imposing to observe how well the Japanese prepare themselves for an emergency! They are going in for the whole of Asia, carefully preparing their blows and against the white Race in general! Remember my picture, its coming true! If France sides with England in this affair, Saigon and Annam are gone!

Willy


Notes

  1. The Kaiser visited the King of England in the beginning of November, 1907.
  2. The speech of Count Okuma, the Japanese Prime Minister, contained a reference to the 300,000,000 inhabitants of India looking toward Japan for aid in their emancipation from European rule.

WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Willy-Nicky Letters between the Kaiser and the Czar > 'Willy-Nicky' Letters XLIX - LXXV (22 August 1905 - 26 March 1914) > LVIII 28/XII/1907