The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-12
William of Germany.

~ his European visit and has
explained what the emperor of
Germany really did say to him on the
occasion of his visit by invitation upon
board the emperor's yacht at kiel
1t will be recalled that this visit took
place shortly after the New York Her
aid had misquoted Admiral Dewey as
predicting that the United States next
war would be with Germany. To
make matters worse, the yellow jour
nails then misquoted Mr.. Foss and
caused him to be put in the attitude
Of having misquoted the emperor also.
What William of Germany did say to
Mr.. Foss was this:
Il do not believe Admiral Dewey
l regard that as merely a newspaper
story and not worthy of serious con-
sideration. There is no good reason
why there should be any i'll will be-
tween Germans and Americans. on
the contrary, there are the strongest
reasons why there should be the most
cordial and friendly feelings between
the two nations. You have in the
United States Il great number of Ger
mans whose sympathies should seree
to bind the two nations with bonds Of
amity. The German Americans We're
among the best citizens of my empire
and / am sincerely sorry to have lost
them. / am sure they make good citi-
zens in their adopted country and they
and their children should be a per-
petual pledge Of I, friendship between
the great republic across the sea and
the German empire"
Mr.. Foss, in speaking his impress
sions of the German ruler says: "T
must admit that I came away from
this conference with the highest ai-
miration for the emperor. 1t was ap-
parent that he was moved by strong
ambitions. but these We're directed by
high aspirations for his people and his
country. He impressed me as a broad,
statesman-like ruler and a vigorous,
energetic man. To one travelling
through Germany with eyes open it is
evident his activities have already had
the resources of that land. The indus
tries of Germany have had a wonder
full growth, and that country is en-
joying great prosperity. There are
abundant signs of the restless energy
of the emperor and in the language
Of the west he is a hustler
The opinion here given is confirmed
by the facts of recent history. Will
liam took upon him the imperial re-
spOnsibilities at a. time when his capa-
bilities were not understood and when,
in the eyes of the world, Prince Bis
marck was the commanding figure in
| European affairs. The restless dis
position of an eXuberant youth and a
certain natural fondness for dramatic
surprises caused him to be interpreted
by unfriendly critics as a hare Drained
mad cap, nineteenth century Hot
spur, in whose irresponsible hands the
German crown would speedily become
a fire brand As became his office il
he was to be emperor in fact, he de-
| posed Bismarck and did it after Bis
| marCk's own style. That act madc
| him numerous enemies and critics,
| but the German empire went right on
in it's ccreer Of development and pros
| perity; and in spite Of all the humor-
Gus or malicious Misrepresentation of
| him which has abounded in the news
| papers since, the actual results which
! have been achieved in Germany under
| Williams rule vindicate his states
manship and prudence no less than
| they attest his enterprise, energy ana
! thorough appreciation of the character
| and ideals of his cOuntrymen.
His assumptions Of divine sanction
! for his highly-strung imperialism nat
urally do not make a strong appeal tC
! Americans bred in the atmosphere of
democracy; and our native vein of
| irreverent humor finds in him fertile
must in all fairness open ou- eyes
| tC the unmistakable .act that in both
| his physical and mental characteristics
! he typihes to a marked degree the
genius OF the German people; and the
nature Of his rule, interpreted in the
light of German conditions, entities
it to the worlds admiration.
Those successful commercial coun-
| tries of Europe-Great Britain, Ger
many, France Italy and Austria Hun
gary-pay, according. to Commissioner