Monarchy Forum

Letter from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to Emperor Gojong of Korea

Royalistdefender — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:19:07 GMT

I am not sure whether to put this on the European Thread or the Asian Thread, or both, but I got an interesting newsletter about the Kaiser's letter to the Emperor of Korea!

http://joongangdail y.joins.com/ article/view. asp?aid=2911515

The kaiser??s letter

??This reveals a crucial part of Gojong??s endeavors for independence.??

October 21, 2009


	There are about 350 documents received or written by Emperor Gojong but the personal letter written by German Emperor Wilhelm II is the first one written by a head of state.

More than a century after it was written, a letter composed by German Emperor Wilhelm II to Emperor Gojong (1852-1919) supporting Korea??s independence has recently been discovered.

German Emperor Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preussen (1888-1918) sealed the letter on July 20, 1902, with his personal signature. In it, he wishes his Korean counterpart well and expresses his hope that Gojong??s reign will continue and that the Korean Empire (1897-1910, successor to the Joseon Dynasty) will prosper. The letter also specifies that ??relations between Germany and the Korean Empire should become more solid,? and ends with the German emperor calling Emperor Gojong ??a good friend.?

In all, there are about 350 documents received or written by Emperor Gojong, but until now no letters from heads of state have been found, making this a significant discovery.

The existence of the new letter is expected to add weight to the theory that King Gojong actively tried to prevent Korea??s annexation to Japan, which contradicts the work of some scholars who have portrayed the king as a weak ruler who relied too heavily on foreign powers.

??The letter from the German emperor was meant to assure Gojong that Germany was supportive of the independence of the Korean Empire,? explains Jeong Sang-su, a professor at Myongji University specializing in international studies. The professor discovered the letter within an archive holding political documents in Berlin, where he has been doing research since the end of 2007.

The letter was written in 1902, which is significant for Gojong, who was entering the 40th year of his reign. That was also the year the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was signed, which outlined a ??special understanding? regarding Japan??s interest in Korea. The agreement further solidified Japan??s grip on the Korean Peninsula, shrouding Korea??s future in uncertainty. Moreover, the treaty distinguished Russia as a common enemy and set out conditions by which the two countries agreed to divide their interests in East Asia.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Ministry records show that a second letter from the German emperor to Gojong written with the same supportive tone was sent the following year and received by Korea. However, the whereabouts of this letter are unknown.

Although the first letter did not make it to Emperor Gojong, Jeong thinks that the Korean emperor was able to solidify Korea??s relations with Germany through the second letter and that this is why Gojong opted to send a personal letter of his own to Wilhelm in 1906. The second letter outlined the forceful nature of the Eulsa Treaty, which effectively annexed Korea to Japan.
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Forum: Europe

False knights on the road

Peter — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:14 GMT

This is the title of an ancient song (click to download MP3, it is not a You Tube link as I more often provide). The title is more usually singular, and the more usual lyrics make it swiftly plain what the song is about. Not these ones, which I prefer for their teasing subtlety:

Oh where are you going said the knight on the road
Well I'm going to my school said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
Well I'm going to my school said the boy as he stood

Well what's that if you please said the knight on the road
Oh it's just my bread and cheese said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
Well it's just my bread and cheese said the boy as he stood

Well won't you give me some said the knight on the road
Not one single crumb said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
No not one single crumb said the boy as he stood

Well I wish you were in the sand said the knight on the road
With a good staff in my hand said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
With a good staff in my hand said the boy as he stood

And I wish you were in the sea said the knight on the road
With a good boat under me said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
With a good boat under me said the boy as he stood

And the water in shall pour said the knight on the road
Just a foot off from the shore said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
Just a foot off from the shore said the boy as he stood

Oh methinks I hear a bell said the knight on the road
Aye it's ringing you to Hell said the boy as he stood
And he stood and he stood and full well he stood
Aye it's ringing you to Hell said the boy as he stood

Subtle, I hear you ask? What words could seem plainer than these, indeed. Yet it's all in the last verse, which reveals that the knight is no knight but the Devil, and the seemingly innocent questions of the first two verses lead to a game of spell and counter-spell, the prize being the child's soul. That last verse is an especially tricksy sally, a casual answer that was not a spell would mean doom. But the boy is up to the task, cleverly countering and sending the Devil shrieking back to Hell instead of being dragged down there himself.

I heard it first last night, love it and thought I would share, and that the religious/magical aspects made here appropriate. The artist is the great Richard Thompson, matchless guitarist and no one's idea of a great singer. Yet he knows his voice's limits, selects appropriate material and sings within those limits, in my opinion very well. The performance is live and not officially released and the song of course traditional, so I wouldn't think there would be any copyright issues. I hope some will enjoy it.

Forum: Off-topic Serious

Empire based on language?

JonathanCid — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 00:11:01 GMT

My family heritage takes my ancestry back to Cuba, and before Cuba, Spain. Before that, well, who knows. I've done alot of thinking about monarchism, and I sometimes think that were I monarchist (I'm still a republican) I would likely support not only the restoration of monarchies, but maintaining empires based on shared language.

I say this because I've seen both the strengths and weakness of both republicanism, and monarchism. I believe that monarchism is strongest when it is free of politics - when monarchs serve all their people, and not just any particular group in the struggle for power... and by that I mean the struggle for power between socialists/communists/liberals/conservatives/reactionaries/greens, etc. but also the struggle for power between races when it comes about, between religions when it comes about, and between any other sections of the public. Special interests should have no role in a monarchy, at least not any monarchy I could feel comfortable supporting.

I've seen America repeatedly torn apart with these "culture wars". IMHO, these fights are ludicrous. When people live together, they must learn to get along with each other, and taking and giving between each other, a common culture is inevitable.

In the case of Cuba, my family has suffered to be exiled by a dictator who came to power and eventually served only a special interest group on the island - the Communists, specifically those of an authoritarian bent. Some republicans would call this a "monarchy" because Castro held practically unlimited power. If one understands monarchy to be solely about power (I've seen some who think constitutional monarchy is no monarchy at all), then yes, Fidel Castro was (his brother now is) King of Cuba in everything but name! However, if one understands the monarchy to be the embodiment and safeguard of all (and I again stress that all) a nation's people, then Castro cannot be a monarch, because he caters only to the interests of a particular segment of the population, based on their political beliefs. In the past, some monarchs have catered to particular segments of the population based on religious belief. I see these as no different - they both turn the monarchy into a political institution... if your special interest gets the monarch, your special interest gets the power, through influence. That undermines the protective nature of monarchy.

Now, Cuba in particular has been plagued by instability. And although America has been relatively stable the past 200 or so years, I fear that a day could come when the stability could perish. I like President Obama. But I know how many people would rather forcefully remove him and undermine the nation's stability. I don't think that will happen, but what may not happen today may, incumbent upon transforming circumstances, unfortunately happen in the future. What would happen then? What would be the stabilizing forces on America? I look to Cuba and think of the influence Spain has been exerting on the island, especially as of late. The other day I asked my grandparents if they would rather that Cuba be placed under Spanish rule, and they said, much to my surprise, that they would. It seems to me that people of the same language tend to have enough cultural similarities that all could be united as one nation, as one people. Language, our mode of communication, is an incredibly powerful factor in all our lives. We feel more comfortable with people who "speak our language", if you will. We use the very phrase to express a feeling of like-mindedness.

I'm a liberal. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don't use force against others if you wouldn't want them to use the same force against you. If you don't want to be killed, don't kill. If you don't want to live under Sharia law, don't promote requiring others to live under Catholic law. Unite people based on what they have in common, and respect differences where people aren't causing any measurable harm to others.

Although I'm still a republican, I sometimes wonder if nations can maintain the rule of law (very important to me) and secure the rights of all when they are unstable. Think of South America, where guerillas form. Think of the things we associate with the term "banana republic." What if all of these had a stabilizing factor? Is monarchy civilization, culture, unity? Can it actually be the key to fraternity, liberty, and equality? Can it be the key to international peace?

Imagine if Elizabeth II were Queen of all the English-speaking peoples. Imagine if Juan Carlos of Spain were King of all the Spanish-speaking peoples. And so on. Empires instead of smaller nation-states.

Your thoughts?

Forum: General

Idiotic ruling by ECHR

KYMonarchist — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:40:23 GMT

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1104/crucifix.html

Since when did crucifixes violate human rights?

Forum: Off-topic Serious

I'm World Famous!

jovan66102 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:20:40 GMT

Just an anecdote. Back in July, the BBC asked for personal anecdotes regarding memories of the moon landing forty years before.

I emailed them that on the day of the splashdown of the moon mission, I was visiting my grandmother, a Swedish immigrant born in the year Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. As a result she had seen all the technological development of the XXth century in person: the telephone, radio, TV; the automobile, airplane and the beginnings of the computer age. I asked her what she thought of men having reached the moon. Her reaction was essentially, 'So what?!' Then I mentioned that Col 'Buzz' Aldrin was of Swedish backgound. About five minutes later she turned to me and asked, ' You mean there was a Swede on the moon!?' Men on the moon? No big deal. A Swede on the moon? That was a different matter entirely!

Anyway, I had totally forgotten about the email until today when I was reminded of it. This afternoon, former forum member Alberta Royalist stopped in the store to talk while he was in the city. He told me that he had heard the programme where they read the stories they had received. At the very end, the presenter said, 'I've saved the best for last. Here is an email from Jovan Weismiller in Edmonton, Alberta' and proceeded to read my story!

So my little anecdote was heard worldwide on the BBC World Service.

Forum: Off-topic Social

The Bones of Contention

CanuckMonarchist — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:56:38 GMT

http://www.roadtoemmaus.net/back_issue_articles/RTE_12/The_Bones_of_Contention.pdf

A very interesting interview with the daughter-in-law of the late Tsar-Martyr's sister. It's rather late, otherwise I would pull the monarchist related quotes out and post them here directly.

Holy Tsar-Martyr Nikolai, pray for me!
John

Forum: Europe

Prince William Will Visit Australia and New Zealand on January

Royalistdefender — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:36:50 GMT

I guess Prince William to going to visit the Land Down Under in January. There is about it here http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26293168-29277,00.html.

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

Who will be 'President of Europe'?

jovan66102 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:44:54 GMT

Now that the Constitutional Court has basically forced Vaclav Klaus to sign the Lisbon Treaty and it can come into force, who will be the 'President'? I know Red Tony is pushing for the job, but I heard on the CBC that there is growing opposition on the Continent to his canditature. Any thoughts?

Forum: Off-topic Serious

TRH have arrived!

jovan66102 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:18:06 GMT

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Canada for their eleven day tour. I was heartened that the CBC referred to HRH as 'Canada's next King'!

From the CBC:

Charles, Camilla arrive in St. John's

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

Canada could be both a realm and a republic???

jovan66102 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:23:16 GMT

While I agree with most of the sentiments expressed in this leader, I have to ask. Given this statement, has His Lordship of Crossharbour lost his mind or is he partaking of the crack cocaine that is so prevalent in USAmerican prisons where he now resides?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Black of Crossharbour
Of course it should be updated, perhaps by making the monarch co-chief of state in the overseas countries, with a domestic governor-general (now a campy colonial title), or president, endowed with enhanced status and a more legitimizing form of selection than nomination by the prime minister.

Full article at The National Post.

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

A Hymn for All Saint's Day (Yes I know its early yet...)

BaronVonServers — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:48:46 GMT

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Apostles glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross oer land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victors crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earths wide bounds, from oceans farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Words: William W. How, in Hymns for Saints Days, and Other Hymns, by Earl Nelson, 1864. The original version began, For all thy saints

Forum: Off-topic Serious

R+I+P Sapper Steven Marshall 1 CER

jovan66102 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:35:53 GMT

Died for Queen and Country. The article has his Regiment wrong. He was 1 CER, attached to 3 PPCLI. For those who saw my post on Lt Boyes, I'm really worried about Pepper, since this brave young man was in his Regiment.

From the CBC:

Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

R+I+P Lt Justin Boyes. 3 PPCLI

jovan66102 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:02:36 GMT

Died serving Queen and Country. This one is almost personal because one of my drinking buddies, Pte 'Pepper' Shanks, 1 CER, served with this gallant young man on his last tour.

I'd ask the believers on the forum for a prayer for Lt Boyes, his widow and small child and for 'Pepper', who's taking it rather hard.

From the CBC:

Widow remembers fallen soldier as 'gallant warrior'

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

About Lewis Holden

Royalistdefender — Thur, 29 Oct 2009 16:16:14 GMT

I notice on Facebook monarchist groups and even the Monarchist Blogspot there is a Republican from New Zealand that posts from time to time... Has anybody in the group noticed that? I guess he is charge of the Republican Movement in New Zealand.

Forum: British Isles and the Commonwealth

German nobleman to be appointed Minister of Defense

KYMonarchist — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:59:59 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl-Theodor_zu_Guttenberg

Take a look at this guy. He looks awesome!

Forum: Europe