XLII Neues Palais 21/XII/1904
WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Willy-Nicky Letters between the Kaiser and the Czar > 'Willy-Nicky' Letters XXXIX - XLVIII (17 November 1904 - 27 July 1905) > XLII Neues Palais 21/XII/1904
XLII
Neues Palais 21/XII/1904
Dearest Nicky
Sincerest thanks for your kind letter and two telegrams, as well as for your kind order regulating the coaling question. Of course we are unable today to foresee wether the declaration given by your Government will prove sufficient to meet every kind of complication which may arise out of the present run of affairs. It is however not my intention to press upon you any solution which might appear undesirable to you. We shall under all circumstances remain true and loyal friends. My opinion about the agreement is still the same; it is impossible to take France into our confidence before we two have come to a definite arrangement. Loubet[1] and Declassé are no doubt experienced statesmen. But they not beeing Princes or Emperors I am unable to place them -- in a question of confidence like this one -- on the same footing as you my equal, my cousin and friend.
Should you therefore think it imperative to acquaint the French Government with our negotiations before we have arrived at definite settlement, I consider it better for all parties concerned to continue in our present condition of mutual independence, and of the spontaneous promotion of each others ends as far as the situation will permit. I firmly trust and believe that the hopes of our beeing useful to each other may be realized not only during the war, but also after it during the Peace negotiations, for our interests in the Far East are identical in more than one respect.
I wish you and Alix with all my heart a merry Xmas and a happy New Year, and may the Lord's Blessing be on you all, not forgetting the boy. With sincerest love to Alix believe me dearest Nicky
Ever Your
most aff-ate and devoted cousin and friend
Willy
Note
- ↑ Emile Loubet, President of France.
WWI Document Archive > Pre - 1914 Documents > Willy-Nicky Letters between the Kaiser and the Czar > 'Willy-Nicky' Letters XXXIX - XLVIII (17 November 1904 - 27 July 1905) > XLII Neues Palais 21/XII/1904