From King to King: The Slide Toward World War, and Perhaps the Final Cordial Formal Correspondence Between Britain and Germany, Nations That Would Fight Brutally for the Next Half Century

The Kaiser had just been to Gibraltar, and was the precursor to the Kaiser’s return to the same island and area to launch a direct and physical confrontation

The Kaiser was the Emperor of Germany who began World War I in the interests of German power and glory. He was the grandson of Queen Victoria, so Britain’s King Edward VII was his uncle.

Wilhelm resented and was jealous of the British and their power, then at its zenith. He desired to give Germany its “place in the sun,” which led him to determine early in his reign that war with Britain was inevitable at some time in the future (indeed, in 1901 he had written next to an article comparing the German fighting men unfavorably with the British,“Wait until the time comes”). Edward disliked Wilhelm and deeply distrusted German intentions. As a brake against Germany, he initiated and crafted the Anglo-French alliance known as the Entente Cordial, the agreement for which was signed on April 7, 1904. This alliance, the major accomplishment of Edward’s reign, lasted through two world wars and proved to be the greatest impediment to German ambitions in Europe and around the world.

The Kaiser meanwhile arrived in British-held Gibraltar in March 1904 on board the German liner, Koenig Albert, escorted by the armored cruiser SMS Friedrich Karl. As a mark of respect for his honorary rank of a British Admiral his flag was hoisted on HMS Caesar.

An attendee described the evening in late March, while Wilhelm was at Gibraltar, but before the Entente. “As the Emperor was leaving that night, the German flag and the Union Jack were hoisted on the Rock, half the searchlights of the Fleet being turned on the one flag, and half on the other. Precisely as the Koenig Albert passed between the ends of the breakwaters, two stands of a thousand rockets, each stand placed upon the end of a breakwater, were ignited, and rushing upwards, met in a triumphal arch of fire high over the mastheads of the Emperor’s ship.”

Wilhelm did not realize it, but this marked the end of the love affair. The following month Britain linked its destiny – fatefully – with France in the Entente Cordiale and the slide commenced towards war a decade later.

The Entente Cordial was recognized in Germany as a threat at the time, and this letter, written less than a month after the alliance was signed, was clearly part of Germany’s strategic response to it. Wilhelm’s remarks on how to better defend Gibraltar were designed to undercut the alliance, to show on the one hand that Germany’s friendship was still available and had value, and on the other hand to exhibit that German military knowledge and prowess were greater than Britain’s (and in Britain’s back yard at that). Wilhelm could make these recommendations without military consequences because when Germany went to war with Britain, Gibraltar would play little or no part because the great German seaports are on the Baltic Sea, and its interests in the western Mediterranean were almost nil. On the personal side, Wilhelm approached Edward as a nephew, though one who never could resist meddling in Britain’s affairs. He did not understand that this was unwanted and resented. As this letter illustrates, he also fancied himself an expert in military matters. Edward almost certainly saw this letter for what it was, a veiled threat, but also as interference, arrogance and false friendship.

Autograph Letter Signed in English, 4 pages, Schlitz, Germany, May 6, 1904, to King Edward VII whom he addresses as “My dear Uncle,” on letterhead with a beautifully engraved color seal with the German eagle and, ironically, incorporating the motto of the English Order of the Garter (which Wilhelm held). “On my return home I think it my duty once more to thank you warmly for the reception accorded to me at Malta & Gibraltar. As both Governors expressly mentioned to me that they had your orders to receive me like yourself, you may believe that I feel deeply touched by this kind mark of courtesy in which you so well excell. It gave me great pleasure to be able to associate with so many of your officers in both your services, & to become acquainted with the men foremost on the lists of their country, whose names like dear Sir W. White’s have already called forth the admiration of the brothers in arms of the world, & especially in our army. During my walk up the cliff at Gibraltar I was struck that there was still lots of room left where to place heavy, far-carrying guns. If I may be allowed to mention the fact, I think that the rock ought to carry a larger number of heavy ordnance. The 9.5 gun is, especially at long ranges, not powerful enough to cope with the heaviest guns carried by the modern battleships, they ought, according to my humble notions, to be replaced by 12 inch guns. Of these there are a certain number lying at this dock in Malta belonging to the fleet, who would be most happy to sell them to the army for use on shore, as they cannot be employed on board. The maneuvers which have been going on between the Channel Fleet and the Rock have shown that the six ships of this fleet are amply sufficient to keep the whole of the Rock’s heavy ordnance fully occupied if attacked from one side only; but should an enemy dispose two squadrons on both sides, & begin a simultaneous attack, the Rock would, without help by a friendly fleet, be unable to withstand a bombardment like this in the long run. I must beg your pardon if I intrude upon your kindness & seem to mix into matters that do not concern me, but as I have the honour of being a British Field Marshal, I thought I might be allowed to attract your attention to these facts. The more so as I have always taken a great interest in fortifications & their defense. I fancy that should you hear Gen. Slade’s opinions about this question, he will bear me out. With my best love to Aunty & cousins & with renewed thanks believe me, Ever your affectionate nephew, William.” With the original envelope with Wilhelm’s red wax seal.

The Kaiser was to visit Gibraltar one time, only a year later, but on this occasion there was to be no rockets, no searchlights, no triumphal arch of fire. It followed from Wilhelm’s visit to Tangier, Morocco, in March 1905 when declared he had come to support the sovereignty of the Sultan —a statement which amounted to a provocative challenge to French influence in Morocco. The result was a serious international crisis that nearly led to war between Germany on the one side, Britain and France on the other. It was finally resolved peacefully, but it set the scene for further confrontations.

The letter gives a remarkable view of Wilhelm and German diplomacy; it was confident if not arrogant, military based, clumsy, somewhat duplicitous (Wilhelm deigning to give Britain advice even as he planned its defeat), and worse, underestimated its opponents. These very qualities helped bring on World War I. A historically important letter in every way.