The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-29
TUESDAY, JANUARY %. 1901.
THE uNrr1cAr1os or GERMANY

The causes Of national greatness are as
hard to analyze as the qualities that offer
entiate one man from another. 1t IS very
easy to describe a great man after he has
achieved his greatness or 10 point TO the
manufactures and armies and natives Of
a nation that stands in the front rank OF
the worlds powers. But it is given to-
very few men in any generation, or for
that matter within the whole scope of his
tory, TO say what line must be followed
if this great desideratum wi:ich we name
Greatness IS to be obtained
A most striking article on this point Of
view is found in the current number of
the Worlds Work. in which Mr.. Sydney
Brooks discusses the line of thought and
+ action which the German Emperor has
followed, and is following in his attempts
no make Germany a world power whose
influence shall be felt not only IN the
councils for the partition of the territory
Of Crina. but in the struggle between
merchants for the division of trade Of
the whole world. China, included.
The methods which Emperor William
IS pursuing are well known, and have
been both the subject of ridicule and of
comment since he appeared on the politi-
cal stage. Chief among these methods
IL the love which the Emperor has Cor
dramatic poses which centre on himself
what he considers ought TO be the as
pirations of the German empire.
To have such an ideal, and to try to
carry it out in daily life, would expose
the average man to merciesS, ridicule
and ignominious failure. But the EN-
peror of Germany IS no average man.
War lord he has been, designer Of navies
he is. artist he has sought to be, and he
has certainly gained the right t. be called
an orator, and behind it all he IS a
shrewd, calculating business man, who
secs in questions Of commerce lot only
The immediate necessity, but Inc future
possibility, and works Gor those ends with
wonderful tenaciiy..
The German Emperor's methods have
been criticized for their absolute disre-
gard Of the spirit OF broad Democracy.
Tho strongest arraisnment that we have
seen of the present German policy is that
OF NJ. Edmond Desnolins. who wrote
she book on The superiority Of the Anglo
Saxons. NJ Desmolins pooh-poohs the
fears of Britain and the pride Of Germany
in the growth of German manufactures.
The reason for NJ. Dcsmolins' careless
lack of apprehension from Germany $
that tle thinks that Germany IS using up
all Of the energy, frusality and painstak-
sng carefulness of former generations in
one prand squirt, Which will leave the peo
pie exhausted. According 10 the French
author. the German Emperor is produc-
ing these extraordinary results in mer-
camille advancement by the absolute
sacrifice of the principle of individuality
and originality on The part Of the German
people. and that what lis gained in ac-
tual output VIII be more than lost by
leaving the people fopelessly dependent
on The government. not only fer police
protection. water, lights. streets, educa-
men; of the various occupations which
they may may follow.
II seems TO us, however, that there IS
something lacking IN the reasoning that
would SEEM 10 produce such results FOR
Germany. because though The present
form of government is beneficcnt de-
spotisn, Yet it is one whose prime motive
IS The awakening OF a spirit of nationality
which Germany has never had before
The German Empire to-day is made up
of twenty-five distinct and sovereign
entities. four kingdoms, six Grand
Dueb.es, FIVE puchios, seven Principal.ties.
three Free Towns and the Richsland of
Atsaee Lorraine. Out of this hetero-
geneous mass the task OF the German
Emperor is to weld a uniform nation, and
the difficulty of this task becomes very
clear when we remember that within the
BOUNDS Of his Dukedom or Principally or
Kingdom, each one of the separate rulers
Is virtually omnipotent and as free from
The ooutrol Of the Emperor as any Gov