New-York tribune., 1890-01-12
THE KAISER AND THE JEWS.
EXTREME COURT ETIQUETTE - TORTURE
IN GERMAN PRISONS-A BARONESS'S
START,FS
,r,oN IAN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Berlin December %.

Berlin, December %.
Although Prince Bismarck has until now sue
cee led in preventing Emperor William from es-
rousina the part of the ultra-Evaneelica party in
lis fight against Semitism as publicly as he was
won't to do before his accession TO the throne
vet the young monarch makes but little effort 10
conceal his sentiments on the subject. The Chan-
c,lor has few opportunities for interference III
tie administration of the army, the direction oi
which remains vested in the lands OF the EN-
peror personally and in those of the Chiel OF 'hc
General STAFF, Count Won Waldersee, the huspahu
of Miss Lea of New-York And it is III the army
especially that the Kaiser gives free play 10 MS
intense dislike Of the Jews. Since the day "heh
lie succeeded his father, two years ago lie n"S
made point Of refusing 70 grant slhsle coHriie
sion as officer either in the army OF III 'e Il" v "
,, norso, ~ tbe Semitic race and has declined to
grant promotion 10 those Jews VINO arcauy nap
norc0 TO hold subaltern rank The result is that
they have been nearly all frozen ont during the
INST year and that al present there is hardly even
n non-conmissioned officer of Jewish birth TO be
fsund on the roster of the Imperial forces
Il was in 1913 that the Jews were first called
upon 10 perform obligatory service i'll the army
An exception NaS made in favor OF those of Prus-
sian Poland. who remained exempt thercfrom un-
Ill 1s47. In the following year the divisional
and brigade commanders were called upon by King
Frederick William w 10 furnish report the
conduct of the Jews who had served under their
orders. and 50 favorable were the testimonials as
10 their exec lent behavior that il decided by
way OF great concession 10 permit their promo
ton 10 the ranks Of corporal and sergeant. Fur
tier advanccmcnt than this was denied on the
ground that the doors Of the civil service Of the
Governments were kept vigorously closed against
item. An Improvement took place in
their condition in 1SJG, and during the
reign Of William | number of commissions
were granted to young Hebrews: among others. 10
young Bcichroeder the son of the famous banker
Of that name Emperor Frederick too during
the hundred days in which he ruled over Ger
many. displayed much kindly libcrality and
breadth of mind in the matter. He had always
strongly discOuntenanced all discrimination against
the Jews, and during bis brief tenure Of power
conferred rank and honors on several Of the most
prominent members of the race. The present
Kaiser, however. holds exceedingly rcactionary
views upon the subject, and has even gone so far
as to issue orders that no Jews shall be employed
either in the ambulance and commiSSariat ser
vices of the army or the paymaster's department.
Herr Richter. the leader of the Opposition in the
Reichstag. questioned the Minister of War a week
ago on the subject. General Nerdy du Nernos
while reluctantly admitting tie fact that no
appointments nor promotions Of Jews 20 the rank
of officer had been gazetted since the accession of
William |, declined TO give any reason or excuse
for his discrimination. 1t may be added that
Count Waldersee and his American wife are
regarded being largely responsible for this
attitude of the young monarch toward the
Hebrews, for it is in the salons Of the Countess
that Pastor StoecIer and the other leaders Of
The Judenhetz continue 10 make their head
suarters, and both the General and his clever
wife are known 10 exercise a vast influence upon
hs Emperor and upon the Empress.
With reference to Count Waldcrscc, il may be
gseted that the "Oricial Gazette" of last week
Contained the following extraordinary announce
pent issued by the Minister OF tho Royal and
Imperial household
"The Emperor since last year has worn,
when out shooting, uniform composed
Of gray frock coat double-breosted
and with a double row of buttons and gray collar
and facings. gray breechcs high boots and gray
soft felt hat. His Imperial Majesty deicned some
eight months ago 10 grant permission 10 PrInce'
Leopold Of Prussia 10 wear this uniform. His
Imperial Majesty. by special Cabinet order has
deigned TO confer the same distinction on the Duke
Guenther of Scheswig-IIolst the only brother
Of the Empress. and on General Count Wadersee.
the Chief of the Staf Of the Army.
Comment on this would be superfiuous. 4 pre-
vious issue II the Gazette" lad contained seaes
bf regulations issued bv the Emperor defining the
Official honors 10 be rendered 70 himself and 10
other princely persons on their journeys in Ger
many. The rules are laid down with the punc-
ti1Ious rgiditv beftting the classic land Of pipe
clav. but il must be confessed that this elaborate
gradaions Of petty privileges and ceremoniols, ,'nS
measuring Of steps and PAGES. This military postur
Ing and court tailoring, seem unworthy Of the
greatest and most powerful court and
dynasty on the Continent Of Europe.
II smaclls Of the parvenu, and recalls 70 mind
the severe and minute etiquette with which
Napoleon ! was forced 70 hedge in his dignity.
Young William appears 70 he afraid lest span
should be taken away from his outward dignity.
lest any one should be tempted 70 treat him with
less respect than that which he claims as his due.
His conduct in the matter presents a strange con
trast 10 the simple and easy habits Of Francis
Joseph of Austria. The latter, although at the
head II family which has reigncd in Germany
for nine centuries, moves about at Vienna. at
Godollo and in the mountains as quietly and az
unostentatiously as an English tourist. His two
immediate predecessors were still more
unceremonious in their tastes. and
even the great Empress Maria Theresa
was at times very much Ike the chcery
vienna bourgeoise. Emperor Williams new regu-
iations and DEGREES are, however, probably only
due to youth and ineXperience, and to head
turned by the abject hattery of the people who
surround him.
The matter is serious only in 50 far as il dem
onstrates the decrease Of the influence formerly
possessed over William by the Great Chancellor.
The latter, like Frederick the Great, Moltke,
Blucher and all the master minds which have
raised Prussia 10 its present pinnacle Of great
Iess has made no secret Of his intolerance Of
the pedantry Of court etiquette, for lie realizes
lis utter emptiness, and keeps in mind the fact
that Abraham Lincoln. during the crisis Of the
Rebellion. was probably the most powerful ruler