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Show KAISER FORCED TO SEND A NOTE Confirms Statement Made by-Crown by-Crown Prince as to Kruger Message. AMERONGEN, Holland, Dec. 4 "I am a private citizen and whilo in Hoi-land Hoi-land will not make any statement whatever for publication." This was the former emperor's mcs-sago mcs-sago to the Associated Press corres-1 pondent when he called at Count von Bontinck's castle ngain yesterday. The German general, acting as orderly, order-ly, formerly governor of Metz, brought the message direct from William Ho-henzollern, Ho-henzollern, who Monday evening was inclined to make a public declaration, but changed his mind. The message continued: "You must fully realize my position. I am threatened on all sides with criminal crim-inal charges which, if brought, I musi face. Thorefore, I must reserve anv statement until charges arc' actually brought. "Also, I owe a certain loyally to the German government and cannot make a declaration which might compromise others." Tho correspondent requested the general to ask the former emperor whether he would confirm the crown prince's assertion regarding the Kruger Kru-ger telegram and the general brought back the answer: "The crown prince is absolutely correct cor-rect in his facts. The telegram, already al-ready written, was laid before mo for signature. "I refused to sign it for three days but finally did so under pressure of the German diplomats and my political ad-1 visers, who advanced many reasons for sending the dispatch. Of course, having signed it, I take full responsibility." responsi-bility." The former emperor and empress aro leading a very quiet life. Their , table Is of the simplest; in fact, they ' have submitted to regulations roquir- ! ing them to be rationed for bread and butter and other edibles Just as ' the ordinary country folk. Occasionally Occasional-ly they walk In the surrounding woods, but' recent days have been so wet that it has been almost impossible for them 1 to go out except for a carriage drive 1 i by the former emperor was sent by him to "Oom" Paul Kruger, president of the Transvaal republic, on Janutry 3, 1S96. It was tho outcome of Ger-1 man "flirtations" with the Transvaal republic, during which the intentions of Germany toward British influence in South Africa caused deep concern. This "flirtation" began in the early, nineties and was brought to the notice no-tice of the world by President Kruger' in January. 1895. when, at a banquet) given in honor of William's birthday. at Pretoria, Kruger referred in glow-1 Ing terms to Germany's friendship for' tho Transvaal which, he said, would' "in future be more firmly established! than over." ir.e nisionc 'Jameson raid was made late in tho sarao vear and on, January 2. 1896. Jameson found himself him-self surrounded by Boers at Doornkop1 and surrendered. The next day the' emperor's telegram was sent. It" congratulated con-gratulated Kruger that "without appealing ap-pealing to the help of friendly powers" ho had repelled the raiders. This act caused much surprise in England, which called attention to tho London convention reserving tho supervision! of the foreign relations of the Transvaal Trans-vaal to Great Britain. ( |
