The Washington herald., 1906-11-18
RULER IS BUT A TOOL
SycOphantS Mold the Char
acter of German Ruler.
ADULATION MADE a FINE ART
Wilhelm Said to Spend sIeepIess
Nights After Some IndiscretiOn in
Public speeches-BarOn speek Won
Steinburg One of Those Who Are
Denounced by the Author.

Munich. Nov. i7-COunt Ernest Revent-
lows new book. entitled THE German
Emperor and the Sycophants." which was
published here last week by Messrs. J. L.
Lermann. is a fitting sequel TO those as
tonishing revelations OF German court
life contained in the recently published
Hohenlohe memoirs.
The Kaiser. seen IN the light Of these
revelations, is no longer a heroic figure;
on the contrary. one is impelled to regard
him as q pathetic figure, the victim Of
the unscrupUlous sycophants who have
gathered around his throne and over
whelmed him VIII servfle fiattery in order
TO promote their own selfish aims. His
majesty starts with belief in the divine
right Of kings and the infallibility OF
monarchs, and possesses a remarkably
impressiOnable mind
These qualities make him peculiarly sus-
ceptible TO servile flattery, which has been
cultivated as a high art at the German
court. The author gives an interesting
explanation Of the Kaiser's theory Of the
divine right OF nOnarchs. The Kaiser
does not believe in his absolute infallibil-
lty. but only in his infallibility as com
( pared with the faults Of common mortals.
Punishment for Indiseretions.
The Kaiser himself admits that he COM
mits indiscreet acts. and, in fact, les
awake at night troubled by remorse for
/ his indiscretions OF speech. This is Ger
tainly a revelation Of a new feature of
the Kaiser's character, which is admirable
and sympathetic. But the Kaiser's ac-
/ knowiedgment Of his own fallibllity is
/ somewhat marred by his belief that or
d.nary mortals must continue 20 regard
/ him as infallible. He himself may admit
in his own mind that he has committed
I errors. and may lie awake at night full
OF remorse for these mistakes, but his
subjects, over whom he has been sent TO
rule by divine right. must nevertheless
regard him as infallibIe and above criti-
clsm.
The systematic sycophantism practiced
in Germany has strengthened the Kaiser's
position as an absolute ruler. When he
makes a speech there Is a chorus Of adu-
lation. When he travels sycOphantic
/ homage IS paid 10 him on all sides. His
ministers are syc0phantic fiatterers
afraid to tell him the truth about public
affairs, and his chosen companions are
sycophantic satellites. whose one aim is 20
curry favor by pandering 10 the mon
arch's susceptibility to fattery.
Too Many Interests.
Incidentally the author passes very Sc
we're criticism on the versatile iEtcres
which the Kaiser manifests IN so man,
subjects not directly connected with hi.
duties as a monarch. The Kaiser, as /.
b well known. takes great interest in art
literature, theology, invention, commerce
shipbuilding, and many other diverse sub
jects, and Count Reventlow maintain
that IT is impossible. for him to devot
attention 10 so many matters and at IN
same ime to discharge efficiently hi
administrative duties as ruling monarch
The sycophant. however. carefully con
ceals from him the actual state Of affairs
The Kaiser continues to live under In
belief that his methods Of gOvernmeu
are excellent, and that his subjects al
all delighted with his rule
Baron Speck Won Sternberg. the Ger
man Ambassador in Washington. IS Wig
orously denounced as one Of the mos
mischievous upholders Of sycophantisn
and the German Ambassador in London
Count Won Wolff -Metternlch, also receive
his share OF criticism.