Letters from the Kaiser to the Czar, copied from government archives in Moscow unpublished before 1920; private letters from the Kaiser to the Czar found in a chest after the Czar's execution and now in possession of the Soviet government

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CtpightN^^L

CQEffiiGHT DEPOSm

II Potsdam, 5/1/95

My dear Nicky

Your kind letter which Knorring brought to me involved very interesting but very sad news. I am very thankful for your explanation and fully understand the motives which prompt you to decide about Count Schouvaloff.^ In the same time I can assure you that I am deeply grieved at losing excellent Paul, who was the only ambassador at Berlin with whom I was on really intimate terms and who was an ''ami intime" to me as far as a non-German could claim such name. I will miss him very much indeed! He fully deserves the eulogies you gave him in your rescript and the near and intimate relations of our Courts and People could not have been better looked after than by him. I hope and trust that the person whom you are going to select to replace him will be able to carry on the work in the same manner and with the same thruthfullness and openess of character like Schouvaloff; as the relations of our two countries rest on traditional bases, quite other than those with other nations, and are of commanding influence on the whole of the world! At your dear Fathers express wish I replaced Schwelnltz^ by Werder, if I could at the same time express a wish, it would be that you chose either Pahlen,^ Richter^ or Staal^ as remplagants if possible.^

Now let me wish you a Happy New Year at the side of that dear Angel Mix, and may it be a year of peace and prosperity ! My Xmas gift will I hope amuse you, it is an album with photos from the Fahnenweihe at BerHn.

Hoping that we shall be able to meet each other somewhere this year

I remain

Your most aff-ate friend

1. Count Schouvaloff was one of Russia's foremost diplomats. He was Russian Ambassador to London in 1878, during the Berlin Conference. On January 3rd, 1895, he was transferred from his post as Russian ambassador in Berlin, which he filled for nine years, to the Governor-Generalship of Warsaw.

2. General von Schweinitz was German ambassador in Petrograd until 1892, when after Bismarck's fall, he was replaced by General von Werder.

3. Count von der Pahlen a high dignitary of the Russian court.

4. General Richter was chief of the Czar's Military Household.

5. Georges de Staal was Russian ambassador in London from 1884 to 1903.

6. The Kaiser's suggestions were ignored by the Czar, and Count Osten-Sacken was appointed to succeed Count Schouvaloff.

Ill

Egloffsteln^ will, I hope, be able to bring over the whole heap of porcelain without any breakage. He is instructed to arrange the table so as it would be if you gave a dinner for 50; so that you should have the coup d'oeil of the whole affair. I hope that my manufacturer has done everything to fulfill your wishes and that the present may be useful to you both.

Since the sad weeks you had to go through have passed much has happened in Europe. You have lost an excellent old servant of your predecessors, old Giers,^ who was a very good fellow whom I much esteemed. France has changed par surprise her head and government^ and through the amnesty opened the doors to all the worst malefactors the former people with difficulty had managed to imprison. The impulse given to the Democrats and the Revolutionary party is also to be felt here. My Reichstag* behaves as badly as it can, swinging backwards and forwards between the socialists egged on by the Jews, and the ultramontane Catholiks; both parties beeing soon fit to be hung all of them, as far as I can see.

In England the ministry^ is toddUng on to its fall amidst universal derision ! In short everywhere the "principe de la Monarchie" is called upon to show itself strong. That is why I am so glad at the capital speech^ you made other day to the deputations in response to some addresses for reform. It was very much to the point and made a deep impression everywhere.

For the opening of our CanaP in the end of June I have invited all European Governments to send warships to Kiel, I hope your fleet will also be represented by a ship or two ?

With my respects to your Mamy and many compliments to Alix, I remain

Your most aff-ate friend

A Marshal of the Kaiser's Court, who conveyed Wilhelra's wedding present to the Czar.

Nicholas de Giers was Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs since 1882.

M. Casimir-Perier, President of the French Republic, resigned on January 15th, 1895, when the Dupuy Cabinet was overthrown by the Chamber. M. Felix Faure was elected President on January 17th, and on January 26th, M. Ribot formed a Cabinet which introduced and carried a bill giving amnesty to political offenders.

4. On December 6th, 1894, at the first sitting in the new Reichstag building, six socialists refused to rise when the president called for three cheers for the Kaiser.

5. The Roseberry government fell on June 21st, 1895.

6. The historic speech made by the young Czar on January 29th, in reply to a deputation of the Zemstvos come to plead for reforms. Nicholas II. spoke of the reforms asked by the Zemstvos as "unrealizable dreams," concluding his speech with the memorable words, "I shall uphold the principle of autocracy as firmly and unflinchingly as did my ever-lamented father."

7. The Kiel Canal was opened on June 21st, 1895.

IV KaLTENBRONN ^ SCHWARZWALD 16/IV 95

As Prince Radolin^ leaves shortly for Petersburg I send these few lines by him. He Is an excellent and warm friend of mine, who has been proved by the difficult task he had when beeing Papa's Chief of the Household during his short reign he stubbornly resisted any trials of Intrigue from any side. You may place full and implicit confidence In him, his discreetness Is proverbial and he is burning to do everything in his power to please us both and to tighten the traditional ties which unite our families and countries since nearly a century. He hates the Poles and has no more to do with them or Interest In them than with the Sandwich Islanders.

I thank you sincerely for the excellent way In which you initiated the combined action of Europe^ for the sake of its interests against Japan. It was high time that energetic steps were taken, and will make an excellent Impression In Japan as elsewhere. It shows to evidence how necessary It Is that we should hold together, and also that there Is existant a base of common interests upon which all European nations may work in joint action for the welfare of all as is shown by the adherence of France to us two. May the conviction that this can be done without touching a nations honour, take root more and more firmly, then no doubt the fear of war in Europe will dissipate more and more. The kind and most valuable messages which you sent me through Osten Sacken* by Count Eulenburgs transmission in Vienna have given me a signal proof of your loyalty and openness towards me. \I shall certainly do all in my power to keep Europe quiet and also guard the rear or Russia so that nobody shall hamper your action towards the Far East ! For that is clearly the great task of the future for Russia to cultivate the Asian Continent and to defend Europe from the inroads of the Great Yellow race. In this you will always find me on your side ready to help you as best I can. You have well understood that call of Providence and have quickly grasped the moment; it is of immense political and historical value and much good will come of it. I shall with interest await the further development of our action and hope that, just . as I will gladly help you to settle the question of j eventual annexations^ of portions of territory for Russia, you will kindly see that Germany may also be able to acquire a Port somewhere were it does not "gene" you... I am afraid that, as the Norwegians® kre in a state bordering on insanity I may not be able to make my summer tour there, but shall have to cruise about on the Swedish coast of the Baltic.

[lO]

Should that be the case, could not we have a meeting somewhere for our two yachts were it suits you and have quiet little chat between ourselves? It would be so nice. Now good bye dearest Nicky, give my best love to Alix and respectful compliments to your Mama, from Ever

Your most devoted and affate friend

P.S. Radolin is quite "eingeweiht" in all my ideas I just developed to you.

1. Shooting box in Black Forest near Wildbad.

2. German ambassador in Constantinople, 1892-1895; in Petrograd, 1895-1901 ; in Paris, 1901-1910. He succeeded General von Werder at Petrograd.

3. The protest of Russia, France and Germany made on April 24th against the Chinese-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki of April 17th, which forced Japan to give up the Liao-tung peninsula and Port Arthur.

4. Count Nicholas Osten-Sacken, Russian ambassador in Berlin.

5. These annexations were Germany's seizing of Kiao-Chau, Russia's seizing of Port Arthur and England's seizing of Weihai-wei in 1898.

6. Norway was in the midst of a great political crisis. Ten years later the separation of Norway and Sweden took place.

My journey in Sweden and along Its shores bring me opposite to your shores and to your buen retiro, and I cannot let this moment pass, when I am only a short cruize away from you, without sending you a line as I shall not unhappily be able to meet you on the salty brine. Let me once more thank you with all my heart for the sending of those splendid shlps^ of yours, which so ably and powerfully represented the Russian Navy at Kiel. Alexel^ was kindness and joviality Itself and did everything In his power to make Intercourse with our Russian comrades everything that could be wished for. Your kind permission to place him a la suite of our navy made my officers very proud and seemed to have given him pleasure. I had the opportunity of some serious talk about Eastern Asian Affairs with Alexei and also his good old Baron Schilling who was a very great friend of my Grandfathers. He will I suppose already have reported to you about it. I was glad to be able to show, how our interests were entwined in the Far East, that my ships had been ordered to second yours in case of need when things looked doubtful. That Europe had to be thankful to you that you so quickly had perceived the great future for Russia in the cultivation of Asia and in the Defense of the Cross and the old Christian European culture against the inroads of the Mongols and Buddhism, that it was natural that if Russia was engaged in this tremendous work you wished to have Europe quiet and your back free; and that it was natural and without doubt that this would be my task and that I would let nobody try to interfere with you and attack from behind in Europe during the time you were fullfilling the great mission which Heaven has shaped for you. That was as sure as Amen in Church ! One incident took place ^ of which I think I ought to tell you as I am quite certain that it happened without Alexei's knowledge, but having become known among our officers created a very painful impression. On board the Grossiaschtschy — the vessel which / invited Admiral Skrydlow^ and his Captains to pass the Canal with — two Engineer Officers were secretly embarked which had not been announced to our Authorities. The Eldest was Colon. Bubnow. These in conjuncLion with a lieutenant who is specially trained for the purpose and who had a large apparatus took photographs of our Forts and batteries made notes and sketches all along the road and finally — when Skrydlow saw that my Naval Attache was rather astonished to see quite strange people on the ship — were introduced to him as two directors of waterworks and waterways ! At Kiel Bubnow's bearing became so "suspecte" that Police and Gendarmes followed him. He went about in plain clothes and was prowling about the fortifications, which was strictly forbidden to strangers !

Now I think this is not quite fair, if you are invited as guest at such a fete in a foreign country which without reserve throws open its gates to you and lets you into its war harbour, to abuse of hospitality in this manner, to try to spy out your friend and that even under assumed character ! The consequence is that this will make people very careful with Russian warships and creates uneasy feelings which I so deplore and hope to overcome. Pray excuse my mentioning this matter, but I thought it better to tell you directly instead of making diplomatic notes etc. as you know how I feel for you and Russia. But I do wish to have every difficulty which could arise in the work of drawing our countries closer together, removed before it strikes root.

Goodbye dearest Nicky my best love to Alix and to you, with wishes for a quiet summer and a nice little boy to come believe me dear Nicky

Ever your most affectionate

Letters from the Kaiser to the Gzar

1. The "Imperator Alexander II." and the "Rurik."

2. Grand Duke Alexei, an uncle of the Czar, was for many years the Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy.

3. Commander of the Russian Squadron at Kiel. Later Skrydlow became Chief of the Russian Admiralty.

VI Jagdhaus Rominten^ 26/ix 95

My Uncle the Chancellor^ referring to the kind and sympathetic way with which you received him, has owned himself quite won by your manner, and was profoundly impressed by your knowledge about the political situation and the quiet and calm manner with which you judged the questions of interest. He also told me that you expressed a wish that I should continue the custom, which we have begun, of writing to you if I thought there was occasion for it, I do this with pleasure. The situation in the Far East has given you the opportunity of discussing it with my uncle. I thank you for the way in which you kindly alluded to my cooperation with Russia and the coaling station question. The development of the Far East, especially its danger to Europe and our Christian Faith Is a matter which has been greatly on my mind ever since we made our first move together in Spring. At last my thoughts developed into a certam form and this I sketched on paper. I worked it out with an Artist^ — a first class draughtsman — and after it was finished had it engraved for public use. It shows the Powers of Europe represented by their respective Genii called together by the Arch-Angel Michael, — sent from Heaven, — to unite in resisting the inroad of Buddhism, heathenism and barbarism for the Defence of the Cross. Stress is especially laid on the united resistance of all European Powers, which is just as necessary also against our common internal foes, anarchism, republicanism, nihiHsm. I venture to send you an engraving begging you to accept it as a token of my warm and sincere friendship to you and Russia.

In the midst of these peaceful occupations and of the quiet hunting fell the astounding news I got from Paris that the French Chamber's Budget Committee* in discussing the Military Budget propose to recall the XIX Corps (Algiers and Tunis) and to form a new continental Corps on my Western Frontier! This, recall has only been done once before in 1870 when France made war on us, such a project in the deepest times of Peace, has fallen like a thunderbolt on Germany and has created a deep feeling of alarm. This has been deepened by the fact that the proposal became publicly known the Moment after Prince Lobanoff^ and Gen. Dragomiroff had officially assisted the Review of the French "Border Army" on the Lorraine Frontier amidst the frenetic enthusiasm of the "Border People." This Army which the French Papers are telling us since weeks is meant for the first rush on our "Border Land" is the Revanche War I It is already 4 Corps strong against my 2 (XV, XVI). The proposed new Corps would increase the allready overwhelming French forces to 5 Corps, and constitutes a threat as well as a serious danger to my country. Of course upon this I must now began to take matters seriously. For this event happening in the moment your officers are being decorated and Lobanoff feted, whilst my attache's ears were greeted with not over agreeable remarks, has made people uneasy here and given affairs an ugly look, as if Russia would like France to be offensive against Germany with the hopes of help from the first named. Such a serious danger will cause me to strongly increase my army, to be able to cope with such fearful odds. Heavy as the financial strain would weigh on us, my People would never waver a moment to guarantee their security should this be necessary. I perfectly know that you personally do not dream of attacking us, but still you cannot be astonished that the European Powers get alarmed seeing how the presence of your officers and high officials in official way in France fans the inflamable Frenchmen into a white heated passion and strengthens the cause of Chauvinism and Revanche ! God knows that I have done all in my power to preserve the European Peace, but if France goes on openly or secretly encouraged like this to violate all rules of international courtesy and Peace in peacetimes, one fine day my dearest Nicky you will find yourself nolens volens suddenly embroiled in the most horrible of wars Europe ever saw! Which will by the masses and by history perhaps be fixed on you as the cause of it. Pray don't be angry, if I perhaps hurt you quite unintentiously, but I think it my duty to our two countries and to you as my friend to write openly. As the seclusion and retirement the deep mourning has imposed upon you, debars you from seeing people and following in detail what is happening — behind the scenes.

I have some experience of Politics, and see certain unmistakable symptoms, so I hasten to you, my friend, to plead in the name of the Peace of Europe; if you are allied "for better, for worse" with the French, well then, keep those damned rascals in order and make them sit still, if not then dont let your Men who go to France make the French believe that you are allied and get reckless and turn their heads till they lose them, and we have to fight in Europe instead for it against the East ! Think of the awful responsibility for the shocking bloodshed! Now Goodbye dearest Nicky, best love to dear Alix and believe me Ever your most devoted and faithful

I. In East Prussia, near the Russian frontier, where the Kaiser had a shooting box.

2. Prince von Hohenlohe, who succeeded Caprivi on October 29th, 1894. He had come to Petrograd on September loth.

3. The artist was Professor Knackfuss of Cassel.

4. The Committee was at this time considering the formation of a Colonial Army.

5. Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was sent together with Dragomiroff by the Czar to the French Army maneuvers in the neighborhood of Mirecourt in September, 1895.

6. Imperator Rex.

VII Neues Palais Potsdam 25/X/95

Dearest Nicky

Uncle Mlcha's^ most joyful and unexpected arrival who just lunched with us, gives me an agreeable opportunity to warmly thank you for your kind letter Moltke brought home. He is still quite full of all your kindness and quite enraptured by your whole person and your ways. Your ideas about the press in general are exactly the same as mine, it has done and still continues to do a deal of harm and we must bear with a great amount of spite, lying and nonsense. Still the influence it horribile dictu has must be judged from the spirit of the People of the different races are brought up and read it. Your subjects and mine are slower at thought, sober and quieter In their conclusions they draw as for instance Southerners or the French. The Roman or Gallic races are more easily roused, incensed and more ready to jump to conclusions, and once having flared up are more dangerous to peace than the Teutonic or Russian Race. Again in England the Press is more the mouthpiece of Public opinion than on the Continent and goes in more for the interests of its Country!

Lobanows visit- was most interesting to me, he is no doubt a very able Diplomatist and a splendid causeur, and what he told me was "sehr beruhigend"^ about France. I thought it right to talk quite openly about France with him as he told me you had communicated with him. In one respect I took pains to show him that I did not wish to be misunderstood. That it is not a fact of the "Rapport" or friendship between Russia and France that makes one uneasy — every Sovereign is sole master of his countrie's interests and he shapes his policy accordingly — but the danger which is brought to our Principle of Monarchism through the lifting up the Republic on a piedestal by the form under which the friendship is shown. The constant appearance of Princes, Granddukes, statesmen, generals in "full fig" at reviews, burials, dinners, races with the head of the Republic or in his entourage makes Republicains — as such — believe that they are quite honest excellent people, with whom Princes can consort and feel at home ! Now what is the consequence at home in our different countries were the Republicans are Revolutionists de natura and treated — rightly too — as people who must be shot or hung, they tell our other loyal subjects: "Oh we are no dangerous bad men, look at France ! There you see the Royalties hobnobbing with the Revolutionairesl Why should it not be the same with us?" The R.F.^ is from the source of the great Revolution and propagates and is bound to do so, the ideas of it. Don't forget that Faure — not his personal fault — sits on the throne of the King and Queen of France "by the Grace of God" whose heads Frenchmen Republicans cut off !

The Blood of their Majesties is still on that country! Look at it, has it since then ever been happy or quiet again? Has it not staggered from bloodshed to bloodshed? And in its great moments did it not go from war to war? till it soused all Europe and Russia in streams of blood? Till at last it had the Commune over again? Nicky take my word on it the curse of God has stricken that People for ever ! We Christian Kings and Emperors have one holy duty imposed on us by Heaven, that is to uphold the Principle "von Gottes Gnaden"^ we can have good relations with the R. F. but never be intime with her! I always fear that in frequent and long visits in France people without feeling it imbibe Republican ideas. Here I must tell you an example ! I remember a few years ago a gentleman — no German — telling me full of horror that when he was at a fashionable salon in Paris he heard a Russian General answer a French ones question wether Russia would smash the German Army, answer ^'Oh nous serons hattu a plate couture^ mais quesque qa fait? Nous aurons alors \a\ussi la Repuhlique'' I^ That is what I am afraid of for you my dear Nicky! Dont forget Skobelew'^ and his plan for carrying off the Imperial family at a dinner once? Therefore take care that your Generals dont like the R. F. too much. Please forgive my beeing so open but I want you to see how warmly I feel for you and how anxious I am about you, and that you should fully know what my motives are. The next point of interest was the news Lobanow told me about Turky; that he had cause to suspect England was after the Dardanells!

And therefore had revived the Armenian question.^ I confess that I was utterly stupefied at this piece of news. No doubt since Salisbury's avenement England's foreign policy has become most mysterious and unintelligible, and the quaint way in which the Fleet sulks around the Dardanells indicates that it means something there. But if they do that they violate the Treaty of Berlin and this they cannot be allowed to do without the permission of all the other signatory Powers; which they never will do. But it seems that they have some Idea or other of changing their Policy In the Mediterranean, for two days ago Malet^ on paying his farewell visit to our Foreign Office used very blustering words, about Germany behaving badly to England in Africa, ^^ that it would not stand it any longer and that after bying off the French by concessions in Egypt they were at liberty to look after us. He even was so undiplomatic to utter the word "war." Saying that even England would not shrink from making war upon me If we did not knock down in Africa. I have made an answer to the effect that the British were making themselves ridiculous in this case, but obnoxious to everybody, and If they got into trouble with anybody else I would not move a Pomeranian Grenadier^^ to help them. I suppose that will cool them. It is the same thing I told Lobanow. I told him besides that if Russia should be seriously engaged in the Far East I looked upon it as my duty to keep your back free from anybody in Europe and to see that all kept quiet, and that nothing would happen from me also to France, provided I was not attacked. He warmly thanked me for this. I share his fear that Japan has some sort of understanding with England and that is why it is so stiffbacked.

Before concluding let me express my most heartfelt sympathy for the I of November^^ now approaching. God alone can soothen the pangs of sorrow that will rend your hart on mourning such a kind father and such an excellent and good man, so like my poor Papa ! May I propose something to you which I have at heart? Considering our near relations and the constant exchange of letters and messages, which would unecessarily always put the Embassy machines in motion, would not you like to renew the old custom our Forefathers had for nearly a century and have again a personal aide de camp attached to our respective staffs? The more private and *'intime" affairs could as in olden times go directly by them, which makes matters much simpler? I shall take with pleasure anybody whom you really trust into my Maison miHtaire, would you like Moltke? Now I shant trouble you any longer!

Goodbye dearest Nicky, my best love to Alix and the "future," and believe me allways

Your most devoted and aff-ate

1. Grand Duke Michael.

2. Lobanow or Lobanoff, the Russian Foreign Minister. He visited the Kaiser at Hubertusstock on October 13th, 1895.

3. Very reassuring.

4. Republique Frangaise.

5. By the grace of God.

6. Oh, we will be smashed to pieces, but what does that matter? We will then also have a republic.

7. The famous Russian General who before his sudden death in 1882 was reported to be the author of a plot to arrest the Czar and proclaim a constitution.

8. Frightful Armenian massacres occurred in 1895.

9. Sir Edward Malet, British ambassador at Berlin, had a special audience with the Kaiser on October 21st in order to present his letters of recall after eleven years in Berlin.

10. At this time it was believed that German agents were trying to obtain a footing in Matabeleland. Another source of friction was Germany's persistence in maintaining direct relations with the Transvaal.

11. This is a reference to Bismarck's declaration that the Eastern Question, so far as Germany was concerned, was not worth "the sound bones of a single Pomeranian Grenadier."

12. The anniversary of the death of Czar Alexander III.

VIII

Radolln's return to Petersburg gives me the opportunity of sending you a few lines. Please let me thank you most sincerely for the many signs of kindness and friendship you have given me and my country, which has given a sense of quitness and security, and which I beg you will continue to bestow on us in the following year.

With my warmest congratulations for the New Year and a merry Xmas I join my prayers that the Lord may bless and protect you, dear Alix, your sweet child^ and all your family from all Evil, sorrow or sickness. May your reign be prosperous and may you see the realisation of many a scheme you have elaborated for the welfare of your subjects. May our countries be able as before to join in the strengthening and upholding of Peace and in the defence of their faith and interests against any outward or inward foe.

The political horizon is peculiar just now. Armenian and Venezuela^ are open questions England brought up, and now suddenly the Transval Republic^ has been attacked in a most foul way as it seems without Englands knowledge. I have used very severe language in London, and have opened communications with Paris for common defence of our endangered interests, as French and German colonists have immediately joined hands of their own accords to help the outraged boers. I hope you will also kindly consider the question, as it is one of principle of upholding treaties once concluded. I hope that all will come right but come what may I never shall allow the British to stamp out the Transvaal! I hope you have better news for your poor brother* who has arrived as I see at the Riviera !