The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-24
GERMANY'S NEXT KAISER.


(From the London Sunday Times.)
The coming Of age OF a future Emperor
and King Is always an important event,
and the attaining of his majority by the
eldest son Of the German Emperor Is be-
ing celebrated at Berlin and throughout
Germany with great loyalty. All the
great powers have sent representatives to
the Prussian capital, and some are even
present in person, notably the Emperor
Of Austria and the King of Saxony, two
tried and true friends OF Kaiser Wilhelm,
and who are not only his political allies,
but who also have a sincere personal
friendship for his Majesty.
The German Crown Prince, In whose
honor all these festivities are to take
place, completes his eighteenth year on
May 0, that being the age when, accord
ing to the Prussian law, the heir to the
throne attains his majority. From May
Q his Imperial Highness ceases to be a
minor; he must have a separate court and
establishment of his own, and In every
respect leave childish things behind him
and lead an independent life, subject for
his conduct only to his father In his posi-
tion as King and Emperor.
The Crown Prince has, until now,
hardly ever appeared I'm public, but all
that Is known of him rebounds 20 his
credit, He is n curious mixture, both rs.
regards his character and his appearance,
Of both his parents, for he has the sweet
temper and charming sympathetic man
ner of the Empress, combined with the
seriousness of his father. From his earli-
est childhood the Emperor was In the
habit of makinga companion OF his eldest
I'D 10 1s.,1 10 hn chill a brain da-
veloping early and to his being Of a much
more thoughtful disposition than his next
brother, Prince Euitel- Fritz. The child,
young as he was, Is said TO have entered
Into all his fathers plans for the good OF
the people, and the seed sown by. the
Kaiser seems destined TO bear good fruit.
As the Crown Prince grew older he be-
came still more the companion OF his
father, who spoke to him about the
weightiest matters and taught him to
think for himself. The consequence of
this training is that his Imperial High
ness has much more comprehensive
knowledge of what his duties are and
will be than most princes have at his age,
and he is also, though as capable as other
young men of enjoying life, by reason of
his disposition and careful training, like
ly to be more prudent, as much Tor the
sake of his future responsibilities as Tor
his own self.
From his mother he has received a most
careful religious training, and bis deyo.
ton to her Is one of the most beauttful
traits in his character. The Empress has
so well understood how TO make her sons
lives happy that she Is looked upon by
all Of them as the dearest companion they
can have In their rides and walks. AT
Ploen the Grown Prince was very happy
and made many friends. There are
many stories told of his love for simple
life and his anxiety TO dispense with
state as much as possible. He Thought
nothing of carrying parcels through the
streets, and on one occasion came with
large packet to the wife OF one OF the at
tendants saving it was n present from
mamma. At musical party he had
once forgotten his notes, and before he
could be prevented he had himself gone
to fetch them. His simple kindhearted-
ness and his pleasant manners have made
him most popular wherever he has been,
and his tutors and school-fellows were
one and all devoted to him.
His greatest pleasure is in music, and IL
has always been great temptation TO
him TO spend time that was meant for
other things in praeticing his violin He
is skillful performer and has real talent.
When at home the Empress often arranges
musical evenings for her sons, and also,
what gives the Crown Prince immense
pleasure, small dances, for both he and
his brothers are extremely fond of dane
ing. OF late years the Crown Prince has
shown an ardent interest In theatrical
matters and great discrimination in his
Judgment of new plays.
He is capital horseman and does not
know what fear is, and he Is now taking
a great interest i'm his military studies
The great and prominent characteristic
of his Imperial Highness Is his strong
sense of duty, characteristic which is
likely in later years to prove blessing
both TO himself and his people.
The Crown Prince is very fond OF his
brothers, but his chief affection is for his
only sister, who looks upon him as her
favorite brother, and who is also kept IN
capital order by him when he is at home.
The little Princess Luischen is devoted
TO him, and 10 be with him is one OF the
greatest pleasures she can have.
The German Emperor and Empress
may feel very proud of their first born,
who since his birth has never given them
moment of anxiety and who promises
to become "A clever, wise ruler.
The Crown Prince is not fond of talking
English, and i hear that when staying
with the Empress Frederick or spending
day with her, he was always very much
put out by the fact that his grandmother
insisted on her grandchildren always
speaking to her In her mother tongue.
His Imperial Highness is, however, an
excellent linguist, and speaks French,
English and Italian tluently, and l hear
that he has begun to learn Russian.
The Crown Prince Is already a-la-suite
Of great number of foreign regiments,
as well as holding commissions in several
German regiments. He will do duty now
with the First Regiment of Prussian Foot
Guards, stationed at Potsdam, and from
the 9th inst. win have his own establish
ment at the Cabinetshaus in that town.
The house has been entirely renovated
and partly furnished for him under the
superintendence of the Empress, who has
personally chosen all the new furniture
for her son.
The Prince promises well, and we must
hope that the independent life that he
is now TO begin will be as free from
care and as full of happiness as the
school and child years that he has left
behind him forever. G. V. Is.