New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-02
THE KAISER.
His Traits Considered Through
French SpectacleS.

Paris June 23.
An interesting book Just published here Is
one on the characteristics OF the Emperor Of
Germany written by a Frenchman, NJ. de Nous
same France still refuses TO show friendship
for her formidable neighbor, but the rough
handling which the Kaiser occasionally receives
in the Paris press by means represents the
feeling of the more serious portion Of the COM
rnunity. The special interest OF M de Nous
sanne's book lies in the fact that it assumes
20 express the views and sentiments Of the rea-
soning and intellectual majority OF the French
nation. The author has picked up the material
for this work, which he calls 1.-THE Real En-
peror William" in all parts OF Germany. At
the outset he found himself confronted by q
curious difficulty. Nowhere would the popu-
lace talk freely of their Emperor, wide
reaching and quick cared the secret po-
lice who always the lookout for the
slightest hint of the crime OF lese majesty.
The most trivial word of criticism may be con-
strued into high treason and land the speaker
In Jail at a moments notice. AT Strasburg,
so severe have been the lessons in discretion
given by the German authorities to the inhab-
itants of late years, the Emperor is never
mentioned by name in cOnversat ton; he is re-
ferred to most frequently as Herr Riquiqu
though there many other appellations de-
signed to conceal his identity. The Crown
quits SON" In the capital a common sobriquet
given by the people of Berlin to their sovereign
is Monsieur Michel" Thus. in order to get the
people to gossip about their Kaiser, NJ. de Nous
same had first TO learn the various terms in
which he might be safely spoken of. His book
proves how successfully he pursued his
searches.
Some of the Kaiser's alleged little weaknesses
are dragged into the light Of day in amusing
focb n that ba Of +I,a
imperial mustaches exercised the mind of their
wearer for a considerable period of time. 1t
not until after long series Of experiments
and trials that the we'll known and char
acteristic cut adopted in 1894, and the court
barber HAPPY, TO whose fertile genius quite as
much to thai of his august employer is due
the discovery of the effect TO be obtained by
the upturned points followed the Kaiser in all
his journeys in order 10 assure the permanence
of the set" OF this work of art. 1t has since
been made familiar to the public by thousands
of photographs. one Of which is now exceedingly
rare. In it the Emperor appears seated on n
throne the mantle of ermine upon his shoulders
the globe and sceptre in his hands, and his
head the crown Of Charlemagne. This last
adjunct is. however. only of pasteboard. having
existence in fact. for, although since his ac-
cession to the throne of his father il has been
the cherished wish OF the Kaiser TO be crowned
he has never been able to realize his ambition.
the reigning princes of the German confederated
States opposing the ceremony, on the ground
that it would make William II Emperor of Ger
many, whereas the only title he can claim is
that Of German Emperor. The distinction. TO
the Teutonic mind is a very real one. NJ de
Noussanne has discovered that the Kaiser
very far from foreseeing this obstacle TO his
wishes. In 1892 throne was built by his orders
from the design of D6pler the youn ger. while
goldsmith OF the capital was entru ed with the