New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-07
THE GERMAN EMPEROR.
WITH SOME COGENT REASONS WHY
AMERICANS SHOULD LOOK AT HIM
THROUGH THEIR OWN RATHER
THAN THROUGH ENGLISH EYES.
London. october %

THAN THROUGH ENGLISH EN ES.
London. October %
Among foreign persOnages the German En-
peror is the least popular in England. This
fact was disclosed when the ill-timed dispatch
was sent 10 President Kriiger and the flying
SQUADRON was ordered out-a bit Of naval melo-
drains which was witnessed with intense sat
isfacton throughout England. The press hav-
ing received its cue plays to the galleries from
time 10 time 1t has adopted tone in refer
ring to his activity in European diplomacy and
10 his relations to political leaders and parties
IN Germany which can hardly fail TO be resented
bv him In and out OF the silly season stories,
which are grossly exaggerated and often I'M
founded. constantly appearing in PRINT IN
regard to his relations with members OF his
family or to his physical ailments and mental
condition; and these recitals. which are ire
ouently as vacuous as Ophelias dreams, must
be highly offensive to him. If he hears of them
1t may be entertaining copy for public that
dislikes him. and is jealous OF the commercial
rivalry Of Germany: but II the Emperor knows
what is going on. II is a kind Of literature which
does not tend to promote British interests on
the Continent.
There Is good reason to believe that the Ger
man Emperor does know what is going on and
what Is said about him in foreign countries, es-
necially in England He reads very few news
papers himself. but In order that ne may De
kept informed to what the foreign press Is
saving about Germany and It's sovereign ne mas
organized literature bureau. which prepares
scrap-books Of clippings for him. The head OF
tho bureau is n privy councillor. and there are
four or five assistants. Many German news
napers are read and clipped daily, and so are
all the leading journals Of Europe. Every day
when he is in Berlin or Potsdam he receives a
-h,,raa and tnoN
what the world is saying about him. When he
is away from his capital he sends for these
volumes as often as he has leisure for examining
them Every harsh structure upon his foreign
or domestic policy falls under his eyes. Every
untruthful story about his physical infrmiies
or mental vagaries is brought directly to his
attention.
II cannot be doubted that these scrap-books
have contained during the last two years much
offensive material from the English press.
Naturally II has caused irritation and preJudlced
him strongly against English policy in foreign
affairs The recent history Of the Eastern
question discloses constant efforts on the part
Of the German Emperor to thwart Lord Sails
bury's plans. In the Armenia, Cretan and
Greek negotiations he has offered strenuous
resistance to English proposals. and has had
the satisfaction of revising and not infre-
",
would be alike unjust and unreasonable to as
sumo that the German Emperor has had no
other or higher motive than personal resentment
IN counteracting and thwarting the chief ends
Of English diplomacy He is human. however
and must have been Influenced to some degree
by the knowledge that he was disliked and
maligned in England. Germany's foreign policy
has virtually been his personal policy. and the
English press has been putting weapons into an
enemy's hands.
The motive for English hostility to Germany
and its ruler is plain. Germany Is Englands
most energetic and successful rival In con-
trolling the commerce Of the world In cotton,
IRON, and nearly every other branch Of manu-
facture the Fatherland is competing sharply
with England, and Is openly contestng the con-
troll Of foreign markets. The German is ac-
tive trader selling his goods in China. Japan.
South America and India at prices which render
connection arduous. He has Overrun the Eng
nsh market and is displaying keen intelligence
md enterprise everywhere. English Stats
ticans make laborious efforts 10 prove that the
effects Of German rivalry and energy have been
Exaggerated but the pressure OF competition is
selt alike by clerks In London warehouses and
ofices and by merchants and manufacturers
Men trained for business in Hamburg and other
German cities have commercial education
which is superior 10 that received in England
Goods made In Germany underse those manu-
featured here for the home market Germany
is powerful rival, and her ruler who is bent
upon Increasing her diplomatic prestige and
commercial influence, is naturally unpopular In
England.
The English motive for distrust and dislike Is
ineligible enough especially when there is no
practical method OF protecting a free-'rade
country against successful rivalry But 1t is
not easy to understand what Americans have
10 gain by taking the from the Engish
press and dealing ungenerousy with the sover-
eign Of a great nation. which has contributed
large share OF the foregn-born population or
the United States German competition in trade
is felt In America 1t is in England. but there
are effective measures for protecting the
home manufacturers against 1t. and there is
nothing 10 be gained By the circulation Of un-
Just structures upon the public policies OF the
Emperor or OF the untrustworthy stories about
his mental or physical condition. which are con-
stantly appearing in the English press. The
Emperors clipping bureau reads regularly four
New-York journals. Chicago paper, and
numerous other American publications and 1t
Is wel-nigh certain that many personal attacks
upon him are brought directly under his eyes
In his daily scrapboc!
II must also be borne in mind that many OF
the advisers who enjoy the Emperor's confidence
have agrarian prejudices; and in German poll
das these are anti-American tendencies. The