The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-11
DID TUE EMPEROR SAY 1Tq

DID TUE EMPEROR SAY IT?
II We could credit the statement of
what the Emperog Of Germany SAID as
telegraphed to the Dispatch, that state
ment would be the most momentous one
that has come from crowned head for
long time. The Dispatches cable qu1-es
him thus:
Il have been seriously disappointed i'm
the patriotism Of the late Reichstag.
| hope the coming Reichstag viii adopt the
Military bill, but If the coming Rcichstag
should refuse to adopt il l am determined
to carry the bin into effect despite the
unpatrotic opposition. I know myself
that l am alone with the federated princes
and the people"
If this were really what the Emperor
said it would be an unconditional an
! nouncement that he intended, by the aid
OF the army, TO overthrow constitutional
government in Germany and set up d
military dictatorship. The dictatorship
would be just as complete in case the
new ,Reichstag adopted the bill as if il
did not, for if it adopted the bill that
would be done under distinct notice from
the sovereign that he should put its
principles into force whether the Reich
stag adopted them or whether II rejected
them. The bill would be adopted, there
FORE under compusion and coer-
cion, and the Emperor's will would in
that case be the law just as effectively
as though he should decree and then en-
force it as the law.
Happily, however, we do not believe
that the Emperor said this, or anything
at all like it. Our own cable dispatch
quotes him thus:
"Since we last met the situation
created 10y the Army bill has shown pecu-
liar changes. l could not look forward
20 the rejection OF the bin. ON the con-
trary, trusting to the patriotism of the
Reichstag / hoped for the unconditional
acceptance OF It. The result has caused
me deep disappointment and sorrow
regret that the patriotic men who were
i'm the minority did not succeed in de-
feating those who were Indifferent 10 the
welfare of their country. During the last
few days passionate words which might
better have remained unsaid among gen
tlemen have been spoken.
81 was obliged To dissolve the Reichstag
in the hope that the new Rcichstag would
pass the bill l am determined, i'm case
TINS nope also be disappointed. 20 stake
all In my power 20 obtain enactment Of
the measure. for / am too thoroughly CON
WINGED Of its necessity as IL guarantee of
the peace Of Europe 10 allow il 10 be
finally defeated
I'VE are hearing much about the ex-
element Of the masses just now. / do
not thlnk that the German people will
allow themselves 10 be excited by ire
sponsible meddlers on the contrary /
know that l am in sympathy with the
Princes of the Federal States. the peOple
and the army. / thank you. gentlemen.
for your loyal interest. My desire was
TO express 10 YOU my views concerning
the bill, as l did when the bill was intro
duced."
Now we believe this TO be the correct
report of what Emperor William said.
and for two reasons, which are: First.
that The Times reports Of public matters
are the reliable reports Of them: and
second, that what the Dispatches cable
credits him with saying would be the
utterances OF a mailman while what we
quote above is the entirely reasonable
utterance Of very earnest man. deeply
intent upon having the law governing the
army amended if it is possible to reach
that end.
1t is one thing TO say IF the coming
Reichstag should refuse 10 adopt il. I
am determined to carry the bill into |
effect despite unpatriotc opposition"-it |
is quite another thing to say Il am de- |
termined. in case this hope is disappoint- !
ed, TO stake all my power to obtain en-
actment OF the measure" The one utter |
ance announces an intention TO force the |
people to accept his will as law: the other |
announces that he will exhaust every /
resource of his power to induce the legis- |
lative body TO enact his project into law |
The one is the act Of a despot; the other |
is the act Of a very earnest man, who |
may also be very devoted patriot
When We read the first telegram above /
quoted we prepared ourselves for highly |
sensational article for our readers. We |
were very sorry TO read our own after
wards and find that We had 10 descend |
from the attitudes OF a Napoleon the
First atmosphere TO the ordinary every
day hum-drum tramp Of business life.