New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-02

forth one to the people In no way
could he better have emphasized his IN
tention TO be "war Lord" Again. In his first
address 70 the Prussan Diet he declared his ad-
herence to the principle Of Frederick the Great
that the King was but the first servant Of the
State: and then In a louder and more decided
tone his resolution to guard from all encroach-
ments the chartered prerogatives OF the Crown.
Thus did he serve notice Of the imperious autoc-
racy which has since marked his reign Inc
picture which Mr.. Lowe draws OF the young man
manner and appearance on the occasion OF th's
address is not altogether attractive:
His voice was harsh and jerky while his de-
livery was more suggestive Of stern address TO
a battalion than Of gracious allocntion to a body
OF legislators To some II seemed that his ldea
OF looking dignifed simply to look dour
and there was seli-consciousness ABOUT me-
air and manner at variance with sense OF
perfect ease. The dominant expression or MS
features OF great almost grim, De
termination and force OF character-quaIlIles
far rarer and more valuable than mere am
plitude of mind. William l had possessed
great force Of character. with but little mehta
power Frederick III had possessed some mental
power. with but little force of character; whlie
William II. II abundanty clear. had been
gifted with such striking combination o, poth
mind and will as had distinguished no occupant
OF the Prussian throne since 1t was vacated by
| Frederick the Great.
Now began that series OF Journeys and visits
which won or the Kaiser the sobriquet OF Wan
dering Willie" First OF all. and mindful no
doubt, Of his grandfather's dying injunction TO
cultivate the friendship OF Russia he visited the
Car. 1t was Immediately after his somewhat
harsh treatment of Queen Natalie OF Servia
(Which treatment he probably thought would
make him persona grata at ST Petersburg. and
only month after his own fathers funeral HIS
biographer attributes this quick ending Of the
haar HI \ a
sense of public duty. If this be true the world
must not be blamed If it reckons his sense of pub
lie duty or Of the importance of his own acts. as
somewhat exaggerated. At any rate, on June is
he was the central figure in Of the saddest
pageants OF funeral which the sun had
ever looked and on July 10 he gay1y steamed into
the flag bederked waters Of Cronstadt and took
his stand on the bridge Of his yacht with marine
painter at his side to memorabilia for him the
brilliant scene.
Mr. Lowe draws a striking contrast between
the two Emperors. Nature had made ii impos-
sible for them become mutual admirers. even
II the interests of their respective States pre-
scribed for them relationship of political amity;
Personally Alexander III and William ii had
little in common but devotion 10 the cause o.
peace and the doctrine Of Divine Right, The
Car slow. heavy, morbid. unimaginatlVe
mute-the dumb ruler Of Vo!ce!esS people
getic eloquent, and altogether original. The En-
peror of Russia was comparatively ignorant, IL
educated and narrow minded. whereas his TEL
sovereign of Germany represented the very
EiSh-wGt ter mark o. Western culture and enlight-
eminent Alexander mediaeval William IN
tensely modern. One was retroSrade. the other
progressive; the Kaiser had a consuming pas
sion for soldering and show. and these things
the Car simply detested.
In a fortnight William called upon all his
fellow so; eregns in the North of Europe. Then
he visited a man. greater T. an any OF them,
Otto Won Bismarck, and renewed and empha-
sized his friendship for him. swift but fairly
sweeping reorganization Of the home govern
ment followed, and then he was off again to visit
the other German rulers and his allies at Vienna
and Rome. OF his stay in the Eternal City, and
his famous interrupted interview with the Pope
the story is familiar. Mr.. Lowe retell~ II with
spirit and dramatic force, and quotes In con-
cusion the caustic comments Of the Holy Father
thereon Il did not fnd" said Leo XIII that
the young Emperor resembled his late father
whom / personally knew and liked. and with
whom I have COnveraed for more than an hour
at a stretch He (Frederick) a wise and
good prince, very well read. intelligent and large
minded. His manners perfect"