The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-08
4 LOOK At THE GERMAN EMPEROR
What Manner OF Man, or Boy, He Really
Is-A King "by the Grace of God"

What Manner of Man, or Boy, He Really
Is-A King by the Grace of God"
Curiously enough it has been left to French
man to give the most generally approved char
acterization OF Emperor William H. Of Ger
many and his reign. In a recent copy of the
Paris Figaro Ernest Lavisse. n celebrated
| feuilletonist, described In letter from Berlin
| the young Emperor and his mode Of action SO
| keenly. 80 epigrammatically. and altogether so
correctly that most OF the German dailies are
now reproducing the article for the informa-
ton OF their readers. William II. OF all
men," writes NJ Lavisse. has the greatest
appreciation OF his own happiness, the keen
| est faculty OF finding roseate atmosphere in
which to breathe. OF all rulers he probably
derives the most satisfaction from the mere
| act OF ruling. He does not conceal his delight
in life and in being Emperor. He shows 1t on
land. at sea. and on his armored ships as he
| rides under the starry heavens and loses him
| self In transcendental dreams. Tho delight
| which he frankly expresses, together with his
youth. lend this Prince most fascinating
charm. For many years Europe has not
seen on any one OF It's great thrones o
man of 80 years. The dignity Of such posi-
ton was the exclusive property of mature mon.
In the person OF William H.. might and youth
combine In charming paradox. 1t satisfies
him not to be ruler. He wishes to rule as his
forefathers ruled while they were creating
Prussia bit by bit with their own royal hands.
The minute he became persuaded that Bis
marck too. desired to rule. he dismissed this
mighty man. His action. which appeared so
extraordinary to others. was exceedingly SIM
pie in his eyes. and he executed 1t simply. His
property was in the hands Of another. He
merely took it back. Every one was astounded
because In the last speech from the throne to
the Reichstag he did not mention the retire.
ment OF the Chancellor with single word. In
his eyes, however, this retirement was not an
event Of world wide importance. 1t amounted. !
he thought. only to this: A HQhenzoIlerp, who
- II saw Emperor William for the last time on
great. wholly modern and RAPIDLY growing |
city IN material as well as in spiritual mat,
ciai democratic. 1t, is quite irreiiGious. ASH
t ta~ the Street 81 this modern town S
shoulders erect, his head thrown back, the
ronizingly bowling to the shouting crowd on
each side. felt that saw before me an anach-
ronli,m-to be sure living and Triumphant
ism. Emperor by the grace Of God Belleye
me. this title is no empty name to William II.
has Constitution which grants the subject
certain liberties but tho King has from God
or to encroach on the Constitution. In Koenlgs-
berg William l., took his crown with his own
an@no is fs the
OF the parliamentary furniture Of the Prussian
state ,..
mont With them the sovereign must estab-
lish a modus yivendL The, tactics Of Prince
Others must be introduced. It is Therefore.
necessary to como to some understanding with
the keshstGg for the ppEp0se Of creating
does not however. consider himself Obliged to
have such majority IN order that he may rule
pears 70 have no regard and little eyesigGt Tor Tor
formance~ Clercals RadcaI and social fi
D"mocrats to eat at his table He has no idea
OF the regular !awtuf tactics Of an organized
thought OF political opponent, 1t Is only for tho
purpose OF seeing 1t smashed on the spot. He.
brunt ofthe battle. It is his province TO settle
all questions Of tho day to look at the causes
cannot be solved In Germany after his fashion.
The reasons for existing institutions there lie
much deeper than in most other countries
With us the labor question IL every mans |
business. The Government and the citizen
occupy themselves alike with its solution.
goal In day, but that together they will help
their country toward better things. The En-
sbOr question III OWN Executive m proSery
He wishes to answer II for Germany, and for
the world at large. Undoubtedly, Emperor |
William II. has few modern attributes. Tho
questions that interest him are questions OF
the times. But he will never answer them In
apparently live as the rest oI us mortals live, |
ride on the railways and on the steamships.
know the statistics Of the working people, dis |
cuss learnedly concerning the present price OF |
coal, and vet be the contemporary |
Of q century that Is past
William H. speaks OF the triple alliance |
politely but not enthusiastically. Perhaps he
hnds 1t a back ber.' To compel Austrla |
e enter a combination with her congueror and
the two great middle European powers. were
easy bits OF diplomacy, too easy In fact. But
to carry on colonial politics In the same region ,
with England. to visit the Queen OF England
and the Car OF Russia to review the English
navy In the uniform OF an English Admiral
and the Russian army in the uniform Of u Rus
b n said that Is flne. that Is Inspiring,
The future OF William II. Is no clearer to-
day than 1t was two years ago The Young
Emperor has made his debut In history not
with brilliant deeds. but with brilliant pur-
posos; lie ATTRACTS public attention to a won ,
deEipl degree, He is The iavorte OF public
OF the philanthropy of his dreams and on ac-
count OF his determination las expressed 10
Jules Simon to do mankind good rather than 10 |
terIty 1t, further and most particu arly In view
OF his apprehension OF approaching danReTa | !
Let these dangers come. Tho Emperor will /
not stand aside, He is brave to the point OF
he has supreme confidence IN
soldier. strides forth unhesitatinRly Into the
|