The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
SUNDAY. MAY 6. 1900.
The German Eagiet.

1Ouay the crown Pr1nce OF Prussia
the Hohenzo:iern who in the course of
nature will one day wear the imperial
crown of Germany--comes of age and the
Kaiser's Capital and all the Fatherland is
filed with rejoicing and patriotic enthusi
asm.
A generation ago such event would
not have attracted more than passing no
tice in this country. but times have radi
eally changed the world over since the
day of Sadowa and even more rapidly
since Napoleon III started from Paris to
repeat his uncIe's capture of Berlin, but
only managed to get. as far as Sedan and
Wilhelmshohe. Now nothing of Importance
that can happen 20 Germany or its dynasty
is without interest to every civilized ma
ton.
The great soyereigns of Europe, in per-
son or represented by princes of the bloUd,
are in Berlin to do honor to the occasion,
and to congratulate Emperor Wilhelm and
his heir upon the strong. peaceful. and
prosperous condition of their country, and
upon the position of grandeur and univer-
sal respect it has attained under the pres
ent and two preceding reigns. The Duke
of York, who. If he lives long enough, will
be King of England. is there, and. in
modest way the other great power Of the
old Teutonic family, the United States. is
worthily represented by its Ambassador
But among all TIE princes and potentatss
gathered for the birthday ceremonies, there
is no figure as pathetic as that of the aged
Emperor of Austria, well stricken in years
and full of SORROWS, doing honor to the
house that within his recollection has
wrested the headship of Germany from his
own house and that of eli Europe from
Hspsburg and Bonaparte.
II is pity that the great Kaiser Will
helm and his Iron Chancellor could not be
alive today to see the rising Of a new
Hohenzollern sun. and to realize how
grandly the work of empire they cut out
and brought to success has been carried
on, until, in the closing year of the CEN
fury their lives almost covered, Germany
has become so mighty that it may be said
to be the arblter OF the peace of the Con-
tinent. It is SO not only because Of its
military power and prestige, which make
IL impossible for other European States to
engage in war without counting with it;
but because, as is now generally believed,
the Kaiser is without that selfish lust for
glory which so often has laid countries
waste and wiped out the accumulated |
wealth of generations. We ale glad to
hear it said that, in this characteristic, the |
Crown Prince is like his father. He is |
reputed simple, modest, intelligent and |
brave. Should he be called upon in the |
future to assume power, It is probable that |
he will gladly follow in the footsteps of |
his predecessors and make for universal |
peace, and the promotion of fruitful in |
dustry and commerce.
That, indeed, ought to be the mission |
not only of the German Empire under the
HoheDzollerns, but of the other Teutonic
Governments and peoples OF Great Britain
and the Unites< States. All three have
common civilization: All have the family
instinct of peaceful colonization, of the
extension OF trade and the Introduction of
the institutions of home, family. and civil
liberty into the uItermost parts Of the
earth. On this suspicious occasion it is
not improper to express the hope that, in
the years to come, the good understand
ing which now subslsts between them may
be increased, and that they may Iealize
more and more the advantages of friend
ship and fraternity.