The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-17
REICHSTAG DISCUSSES
THE KAISER AND ART
Acrimonious Exchange of Views
Concerning "Autocracy in Art"
and Public Opinion.
CRITICISM OF EMPEROR

BERLIN, Feb. 1.-THE debate on the
budget brought out an acrimonious inter-
change of views in the Reichstag to-day,
the text being found in Emperor Williams
inhibition of the impressionist school of art
in the German exhibit at the ST. Louis fair.
The section making an appropriation for
the fair was under discussion when Herr
Sucdekum (SocialisD began a sentence
about the art movement with the Emperor
as backing it. but Count Won FaIlestrem,
president of the Reichstag. cut him short
and rebuked him for mentioning the EN-
peror in debate. Herr Sucdekum protested
against art absolutism.
The continuance of the debate developed
several more or less covert attacks on EN-
peror Williams influence on art and a re-
markable feature was that Loyalist msn-
bers of the ReichStag, like Count Oriola
National LiberaD and Herr Won KardOrff,
the free Conservative leader, deprecated
Emperor Williams activity as a patron of
art. Abiding to the impressionist school,,
Count OriOla said this was an intellectual
movement OF the people. which it was inn
No man, he said, however high in the en-
other paths.
Heinrich Ernst Muller quoted from EN-
peror Williams well known art speech. de-
Hvered March %. 1901, as follows: Art
Ignoring the limits 1 have described is not
III hOil Nhuhti Solu lldl never Il speech
from royal lips had been received with such
a degree of protest. Millions of Conserve
tfves and Loyalists dissented from this con-
ceptiOn of art.
Another speaker said the press could not
do everything and that His Majesty must
call a halt at art. Herr Muller, speaking
again, alluded 10 court aesthetic:sm' and
asked: what are Its achievements? Every
where meaningless decorations" CON
tiluing he alluded to the groups of marble
statues of the Branderbourg and Hohenzol-
lern rulers III Sieges ALE. which Emperor
William had caused TO be erected. as "a
monumental marble quarry" and said il
was contrary TO true art to use il for the
glorification of princely houses.
Art cannot be commanded like a resi-
Tient of guards, the speaker continued
and the people abroad think the German
yields too much To one autocratic will II
is the business of the Reichstag TO nrevant
the support of this art Dictatorship with
the peoples money
Count Won Posadowsky-Wehner mod
speech in which he said nobody I'm Germarv
ions on art matters; that his Majesty must
have such opinions. but that the expreSsion
thereof caused loyal complaints. He denied
that the Emperor has given such expression
of his artistic tastes as would encroach ON
the rights OF the legislative branch Of tho
government.
Herr Won Kardon described the DAMAGE
done the impressionist artists by Emneror
Williams strong antipathy TO that school
I'm restricting the sale OF their works ana
asked what should be done when this infIu-
ence began to act on other branches of
government. All people want freedom of
movement in art. he declared. and the views
OF one man cannot be regarded. In a fed
eral empire. as the standard. Even the
highest endowed ruler can be mistaken in
his judgment.
After this discussion the appropriation
for the 81. Louis exposition was voted.