Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-06-27

almost unlicensed liberty. the native press
is, for the most part. pledged to party in
terests. and the agrarians have ever enter
tanned a grievance against our experts.
i, Moreover. Germany's domestic overproduc-
ton has compelled her to seek markets
abroad. This has brought on a collision
with England. and the consequent rival
ry has even approached the limitation or
diplomatic friction. But at the eleventh
hour it has always been the kaiser-the war
lord. as our sensational writer's love to call
him-who has effected peaceful solution,
followed by a better understanding.
In the exuberance of our prosperity and
strength IL ill becomes us to expect OF all
Europe an unconditional concurrence in our
superlative celebrations of premature VIC
tories, and unlimited speculation on results
very remote, as yet. TO say the least We
ought to be equally strong to endure for
eign criticism. for it is chiefly OF our own
making. Had We, other countries have.
proper diplomatic and consular agents
abroad. no doubt but foreign nations would
lave / better opinion of our actions at
home But as matter of fact, and not n
rev one at that this glorious country. with
her eminent social and political institu-
tions. is poorly. aye, very poorly, represent
ed at the kaiser's court.
Our Berlin Embassy Weak.
"'Tell me your company and I'll tell you
who you are applies to this argument as
T.c'I r:oses since the days of William wal
Jorcon ssseur country been represent
'hed by 11ng man at Berlin. which. next
the ouslyE lis the most important court in
M menU)ur last ambassador was bliss
funJ knoBtant of diplomatic usage and the
Continental languages. When Princess l.
asked Of young Uhl if he. too, We're in the
diplomatic service, he replied: No. ma am,
l am in the lumber business This is
fair sample of our diplomatic corps.
The wife of the secretary to the en-
bassy. was almost constantly at war with
the shopkeepers of Berlin, and there have
been other disagreeable occurances of the
kind, some of which have even got into print
there. Secretary Jackson. also, has long
been losing caste with the better class of
| Berlin society and cannot be considered
a prudent representative of his country. He
is largely responsible for the prejudices
which eminent Germans entertain for our
newspapers. He has often, within my
hearing, declared that the American press
is diseased, and that If he were compelled
to resign he would never return to Ameri-
ca because our society Is not sufficiently
cultured to please his fastidious taste. Our
consular service at Berlin has likewise been
distinguished for conduct calculated to in
splTe tNe peTHdNS WIN WRONG impressions
of our standard of morality and fair deal
ing. The query naturally occurs what can
We expect from such representatives at one
of the most sober-minded. consistent and
cultured courts in Europe? With attaches
like Mr.. jackson declaring that they can
| not be removed, as their influence at home
is great. and other imprudent utterances
in the same line, is it not rational to sup
pose that We are judged in foreign coun-
tries by the persons We send there to rep
resent us?
1T would lead too far to enumerate their
sins. Berlin society looks on and winks.
The emperor knows of them, and does
| the entire diplomatic corps. and we are
| made responsible for their ignorance.
'.On the whole. based on twenty-six
years partial experience in Europe, chiefly
| in Germany. speaking their language and
reading their literature, and. indeed. in-
| tiated in ALI their habits and directions of
! thought and aspirations. I am prepared
to say that she is to-day as she has been
since Washington's time. our most con-
sstent friend in Europe
FRED F. SCHRADER.