New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-26
THE KAISER AND HIS VOW.

Emperor William, in his speech in the Town
Hall at Bremen in honor of the unwilling of
monument Of Emperor Frederick, revealed
himself more fully, perhaps, than in any pre-
Yious utterance. Upon his accession to the
throne of the empire cemented by the genius
of Moltke and Bismarck the wisdom of King
William l and the valor of the soldiers of the
Fatherland there general and very natu-
raj belief that the young Emperor, thus sudden
ly placed on the imperial throne, would give
rein to the impetuosity of youth and seize the
first opportunity TO enhance the warlike re-
nown of the empire. Certain phrases and ut
terances in his speeches, in themselves special
~ addressed to the patriotism and pride of
his countrymen, and therefore proper enough
were regarded as confirmation of this idea of
ruler who soon became known as 'the young
war lord" This belief was strengthened with
the dismissal of Bismarck, the dropping of
the pilot" as "Punch's" famous cartoon ex-
pressed it, and for q time there was general
apprehension in Europe as to the course the
German ship of state would take with Bis
marck's master hand no longer at the helm. To
the surprise of all, nothing remarkable hap
pened except the strengthening Of Germany's
position in Europe by means looking to the
prevention of war. The passing of the greatest
War Minister since Pitt, the absence of what
Gladstone called ''the resolute will and clear
eye of Count Bismarck" seemed to have no
disastrous effect such as the political prophets
foretold, and after a time these gloomy fore
bodings ceased, confidence, a plant of slow
growth, gradually began TO increase, and now
no one any longer refers TO the Emperor as a
war lord, though his potentially In that respect,
should he care TO exert 1T, is generally recog
niZed.
This great change In European opinion as re-
spects Emperor William has been slow, but it
hos oil haen steadV and Ia result the earlier
opinion has been almost completely reversed
The Kaiser is now generally looked upon as a
force making for the peace of Europe, and his
utterances are interpreted in kinder and juster
spirit, both at home and abroad
And now his speech on an occasion which re-
calls the beginning Of his reign furnishes q
long sought clew to character Europe and
the world have been slow to understand The
Burgomaster in his speech of greeting and
welcome having referred to the model Of the
admiraTs ship Of the first German feet, now in
the Bremen Town Hall, feet which, to Ger
many's shame had been sold under the auc-
tioneer's hammer, the Emperor replied that
when youth he had stood by that model and
felt deeply enraged at the disgrace done the
German flag. He had then, he said, sworn an
oath that when he became the head OF the
government he would "do everything possible
"to let bayonets and cannon rest, but to keep
that envy and greed would not disturb us in
tending our garden or in building our beauti-
"ful house" Then followed this sef-revealing
VOW and declaration Of the purposes and poll
cies which have been so successfully realized
in his reign:
| vowed never to strike for world mastery.
The world empire that 1 then dreamed OF was
to create for the German Empire on all sides
the most absolute confidence quiet, honest
and peaceab BILE neighbor. I have vowed that II
ever the time when history shall speak
of a German world power or Hohenzollern
world power this should not be based upon
conquest but come about through a mutual
striving of nations after common purposes.
The Kaiser has kept his VOW. The noble,
manly and statesmanlike ideal he placed be
fore him before he had assembled the throne of
| empire may be said to be realized, and his eff
| forts are still bent toward maintaining that
high ideal. as his recent conciliatory attitude
| toward France sufficiently attests. Germany
under his rule has been quiet honest and
peaceable neighbour able TO defend its rights,
| but respecting those Of its neighbor. The world
will not think the less Of Emperor William for
the impressive and engaging self-revelation Of
/ bic address at Bremen