Tweedmouth, Edward Marjoribanks, Baron, 1849-1909

The Daily Telegraph feels that the sooner the recent business regarding the letter from German Emperor William II to Baron Tweedmouth is forgotten, the better. The letter has been stated to have been personal and private, and will therefore not be published, despite requests for the contrary from some parties. Nevertheless, there is a general feeling that such communication from foreign sovereigns should not be a normal occurrence, as people in positions of power are not able to separate their private lives from their political ones, much as they may wish to do so.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

Daily Telegraph reporters comment on opinions from Brussels, Belgium, and Paris, France, regarding the recent exchange of letters between Baron Tweedmouth, Edward Marjoribanks, and German Emperor William II. Opinions from both countries seem to think that the fervor over the incident was blown out of proportion, and that tensions between England and Germany regarding the English Navy are high.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

German Emperor William II feels that the British press has treated his letter to Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, very unjustly. He resents the implication that he would try to influence British naval policy, but feels that relations between Germany and Great Britain are undisturbed by the recent furor over the letters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

Most members of the House of Commons seem to want to consider the recent matter of an exchange of letter between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and German Emperor William II as finished. No one was quite satisfied with the outcome, but the general feeling was that the issue had been blown out of proportion and that it would be better to accept the assurances of acting Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and Baron Tweedmouth.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

Members of the British House of Commons asked H. H. Asquith, Acting Prime Minister, several questions about the letters exchanged between Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and German Emperor William II.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, Henry Charles Keith Petty-FitzMaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne, and Archibald Philip Primose, Earl of Rosebery recently gave speeches on the letters exchanged between Tweedmouth and German Emperor William II. Lansdowne feels that Tweedmouth has broadly handled the events well, although there are broader questions about whether these extra-official communications are proper. Rosebery worries about Great Britain becoming a laughingstock in the international community due to the handling of the subject by the press.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

Unknown

The explanation from Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, regarding the letters sent between him and German Emperor William II have not contradicted any of the statements by The Times or added to the explanation Acting Prime Minister H. H. Asquith gave to Parliament. Given the tone of the comments by several politicians, The Times comes to the conclusion that many people think that these sorts of letters should remain entirely private, and that any mention of international relations and naval policy should be done through official channels and not personal letters. While the letters have been treated as personal communication by many people, there is no doubt that William II wanted to influence thinking about British naval policy with them. The Times calls for the publication of the letters, as proof that they did not discuss policy would quiet public anxiety about the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-10

Creator(s)

The Times

The Times has published an account alleging that German Emperor William II has attempted to influence British naval policy by writing a letter to Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth, and strongly criticized him for this. Acting Prime Minister H. H. Asquith responded to the charge in the House of Commons acknowledging the letter, but stating that it was purely a personal and private communication, and that it did not seek to influence British naval policy. The Daily Mail provides some additional context for the letter, and how it came to be known to the public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

Creator(s)

Daily Mail

The Daily Telegraph has received a report from “a specially well-informed correspondent” about the contents of letters that were sent between German Emperor William II and First Lord of the Admiralty Edward Marjoribanks, Baron Tweedmouth. While the exact contents of the letter are still not known, The Daily Telegraph assures its readers that William II did not attempt to influence British naval policy, as has been feared by the general public. While such a personal letter is unprecedented between two such highly-ranked heads of state, it does not appear to be sinister in any way.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-07

Creator(s)

Unknown

The article states that Thomas Gilbert-Russell is the true inventor of the naval innovation which uses telegraph apparatus to aim heavy machinery. Gilbert-Russell took this idea to his superiors, William Henry May and Arthur C. Leveson, who passed the idea off as their own.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Unknown