The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-14
GERMANY'S RULERS.
Ex-MINIsTER WHITE DISCUSSES THE
KAISER AND HIS PEOPLE.
The Death OF the Grown Prince Would
Be n Blow to Progress Position In
History OF wilhelm and Bis
marck.

Ithaca. N. y, Correspondence Of the New York
Post
OF the many questions which arc en-
gaging public attention on both sides OF
tho water just now, there is none to which
more interest and speculation attach than
that OF the present condition Of the royal
family OF Germany together with the pos
sible issues and incidents involved in a
change in the imperial power. Few men,
II any, in the United States are more COM
pctent or better fitted TO discuss the
various aspectso OF the situation in Germany
today than ex-President Andrew d. White,
of Cornell university-as q traveller, his
torian and diplomat, he has had the pecu-
liar privileges and advantages for studying
tho subject, and his views must consc-
qnently have great weight. Tho Tribune's
representative found Mr.. White in his
spacious library few days ago hard at
work ON his new chapters for THE War
fare OF Science" which book no IN com
pletely revising. lie expressed his will
ingness 10 talk on European subjects, and
IN reply to question regarding the royal
family OF Germany, said:
Tho emperor is unquestionably man
OF greater intellectual qualities than have
been generally attributed TO him in Amer
lea. II IL far short OF the truth 10 say that
his great successes are due entirely 10 the
statesmen and generals who have served
him. But, after all, the principal point
with him Is his strong character. This
has been shown in many ways, but espe-
cially in his selection and retention oi
leading advisers in spite OF enormous
efforts TO change his opinion and conduct
Ills power TO recognize and stand by
strong men IL really the main foundation
oil his high position and vast success. His
upholding OF Bismarck is case in point.
CAS- TO his present physical and intel
lectual condition, | can only say that
when | last saw him, six years ago his
mind was perfectly clear and his exprcs-
sion was vigorous lilo kept me in my
farewell audience nearly an hour. and dis
cussed various public matters in way
that showed not merely strength but
clcnrness.
''Ilc is not constitutionalis. IN tho En-
glish sense OF the word. lie has never ac-
ccptcd the maxim, The King governs but
does not reign. lie does, however nc
ccpt a certain modification OF Prussian alb
solutism; but, after all, his essential theory
is that OF Frederick the Great.
"With the Crown Prince, Frederick
William, II IL different. IL Is anopen secret
that his idea il constitutional monarchy
somewhat in the English sense; that he
looks on absolutism M a thing Of the past.
Hence thoughtful statesmen on the con-
tinent who are cOnstituiionalists
have looked forward 10 his ascend
ing the throne as the beginning OF a
new era in the German empire. To them,
n indeed TO everybody who wishes Ger
many well, the prospect Of his early death
Is sad one. No man could be better
trained for that position. physically, intel
lectually and morally. flo seems 10 have
every quality needed or even desirable in
IL. physically, he IL large, robust and
active; intellectually, his excellent native
powers have been trained under the bcstin-
ilucnces possible Ina Germany; morally there
has never been the shadow Of charge
whispered against him, even by those
most interested in blackmalling the char
actcr Of Germany and the court Of Berlin.
As 10 his spirit and temper, there Is in
him a genuine heartiness and kihdlness
which propiuates those who have 10 do
with him. lie keeps his eyes open upon
the world nj large. In my lnt official
interview with him he started the subject
Of the Brooklyn bridge, asking me ques-
tons about its history and structure, which
showed that he had watched its constitute
ton carefully. lie next passed 10 the
character Of our western domain, especial.
ly Of Colorado, referring 10 some water
color sketches Of that region which had
greatly interested him. lie also touched
upon the influence Of European art in
America, referring 10 the picture by
Knaus, since presented by Mis- Wolfe 20
the Metropolitan Museum Of Art In New
York city. On another occasion when II
became my duty 10 accompany him
through the Fisheries exposition at Berlin,
he showed great interest Ia tho Ameri-
can exhibit aud full recognition Of It's
superior merits. II was not difficult 20
forcscc, what aitorward happened, that the
grand prize given by tho Emperor would
come 20 our section.
"As 20 his son Prince William, he
seemed 10 me, In his appearance and In
the very little conversation | ever had
with him, young man with possibilities
OF good service la him. lie hal distin-
guished himself M an officer In the work
Of the Pots,lam Garrison, and had been
complimented by the Emperor on the fact
"As 10 Prince bismarck, I think that
hls greatness will be moro and more
acknowledged m time goes on. lie nc
ccpts certain mixture Of constitutional.
ism In the German government, but rc-
aisis any more concessions 10 u. His In
ilucnce II at pncsent controlling, and
should tho crown prince come 10 the
throne would doubtless remain NJ power.
ful m nj present In all that pertains 10 the
foreign policy of Germany. As 30 her do
nestle policy and the management 81 par
liamentary government, thcp would quito
likely be somo modification.
Prom all that can gnther, II seems 20
me that should the grandson Of the I'm.
peror, Prince William, soon como 10 tho
throne and bismarck survive long enough
10 impress deeply upon him his ideas oi
domestic policy, the progress oi constilu.
tional ideas In Germany would be oonsid.
crably delayed. On this ~ well a. on
other accounts Il seems % me that the
death Of tho Crown Prince would be A
cause Of regret 10 every thinking man who
believes In the policy Of rational liberty.
"As 90 the future Of Germany, I sec no
especial reason for fcan. She II not ag.
grcssiye, but powerful ~ she IA when act.
ing upon the offensive, that IA a mere moth.
ing compared 20 her power against aggrcs.
sion. To b. SURE, she seems nj times be-
,wccn uenppcr and neither millsioncs-
France on the one side and Russia ON the
other. But considerable acquaintance
with French ailairs good many yean past,