Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-18
THE NEW EMPEROR OF GERMANY.

The Emperor William II. has issued
addresses to the army and the navy of the
German Empire that certainly have been
mercilessly handled by the translator and
by the telegraph. We cannot conceive of
any ruler of a confederation so oddly
putting together inaugural addresses
they are, in fact, notably bad spec
linens of literary joinery. But there
is discernable in the spirit that
breathes from them that which must have
stirred the army and navy deeply. They
are appeals to the confraternity of war
riors; they arouse the chivalric spirit, and
are intended unquestionably to impress
the fighting forces of Germany with the
entire confidence the ruler feels in his
ability to lead them whenever duty calls,
and also to mark out the paths in which
that duty shall direct them to go.
The proclamation to the people will not
appear until to day, but Hohenzollern Gus
tom appears to dictate that before the
people, the army and navy shall be adj
dressed. In that proclamation we may
expect to find an outline of the policy of
the new ruler Sufficient of it has been
made public to quie. the general feeling of
unrest and to steady the money market
Thus, we are told that the peace and
quiet of the nation will be conserved that
the policy of William l. will be carried
out, and his desires concerning the country,
as Frequently expressed, will be observed.
Nevertheless, it is certain that the ad-
dresses to the army and navy have created
the impression that William III. means
they shall understand that the event will
not be deemed unpropiticus that gives them
opportunity to polish their swords for use.
In this let us hope that William has
been misjudged. To his strong military
tastes, his enthusiasm for an aggressive
military policy, his bold speech when but
Prince, his unquestioned absoluteism,
may be credited very much of the fear or
expectation that he will welcome a cause for
war, when in fact investment with author
ity and the weight Of responsibility for the
welfare of an Empire may have so stead
led the young man as to develop in him a
conservatism which he would not have
deemed possible year ago.
Present conditions in Europe are such
that peace is guaranteed until some nation
makes an unmistakable assault upon the
dignity or honor Of State. Mere dis
agreements and misunderstanding are not
likely to provoke war now. France is GER
tainly not disposed to invite trouble.
Both Austria and Russia are too busily
engaged in watching each other and pro-
noting the conquests of rival commercial
schemes to take any belligerent initiative.
Italy has no causes Of quarrel with any
Power, and Spain is too well satisfied with
the administration of affairs at home by
the Queen Regent and the wisdom of her
counselors in maintaining amicable rela-
tions with all the other Powers, and in the
success of her Barcelona international Ex-
hlbition to be party to any disturbing
schemes in Europe. William II. of Ger
many, with his own nation deeply engaged
In colonial schemes and reform legislation,
will not very soon have the opportunity
presented to him to frown upon any of his
neighbors and invite an affront. If he is
sincere in his declarations of love of
peace he will find nothing in present con-
ditions to prevent him enjoying it. If, on
the other hand, he seeks war, he will have
to be the aggressor and there are several
directions in which he could provoke it by
such action.