The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-01
KAISER VICTIM OF PLATTERY.
IS SURROUNDED BY SYCOPHANTS.
NEW BOOK WILL SAY.
Their Existence and Power Are the Canker
Of German Politics Evils Are Due TO
.EmperOr's susce ptibility TO Praise
Baron speck ION ~sternburk Denounced.


Special Cable Despatch TO The SUN.
BERLIN, Oct. 3I.-Count Reventlow, the
well known authority on naval matters,
who lie also a conspicuous impeTialist poll
tician. has written a remarkable book cali
ing attention to some Of the U~nfavorable
features OF public life in Germany. TIL
book, which will shortly be published at
Munich. is entitled, Kaiser Wilhelm II. und
die Byzantiner."
Briefly, Count Reventlow's Byzantines
are the s~ycophants whose existence and
power are the canker of German politics.
Although the writer ~disapproves of the
kaiser's policy he, as a loyalist, abstains
from any direct offensive criticisms of his
Majesty. but he allows it to be inferred that
the evils of which he complains are owing
to Wilhelm's susceptibility to flattery, by
which his political judgment is badly in
fiuenced by servile satellites around the
throne.
This state Of affairs, he says, has pro-
duced arrangement between the Kaiser
and the nation, and the ~latter's interests
are seriously endangered. The author on
dennis the Kaiser for indulging in extremely
versatile interests instead Of devoting his
whole time to State business. as his grand
father did. The result is that despite his
Majesty 3 good intentions he cannot possibly
discharge his monarchical duties efficiently.
His undoubted ~oratorical gifts have pro-
duced the most injurious effects. He has
peer encouraged by the exaggerated praise
of m~endacious fatterere TO say many things
that were better unspoken. The Kaiser
is subject to many changes Of mood and his
->a~o& NkAaa ohanra1 co IL ia a
great mistake to attach excessive import
ance to the imperial u~tterances.
A speech delivered by the Emperor
reflects most his mood of the moment and a
comparison of his speeches delivered within
a comparatively short time reveals remark
able ACCOMMODATIONS, which materially
detract from the serious character OF his
oratorical efforts.
Systematic servile iattery has greatly
strengthened his Majesty's belief in the
divine right of kings. Although he is deeply
imbued with the importance OF his position
the Emperor does not accept the doctrine
in its entirety. He does not regard himself
as infallible.
Nevertheless, he does not conCede to
mortals below royal rank the right to
c~riticise his words or actions. Hence he
regards criticism by his subjects az inn
proper, insulting and unjust. At the same
time he does not spare self-criticism, and.
according, to Count ~Reventlow, he fire.
quently feels deep regret for indiscreet
acts which he has committed and which
he recognizes as having produced injurious
results.
He has frequently laid awake night after
night bordering with Temorse over the
effect of Some of his speeches which have
been prejudicial to the interests Of Germany.
Count Reventlow severely ounce the
sycophants for their disastrous influence
ON the Kaiser's Moroccan policy. They
bolstered the fable of good, innocent Ger
many and her wicked, envious ~neighbors.
They declared that the Emperor, with
plans destined to benefit the whole world,
was misunderstood and evilly requited
by the wicked nations around. The same
evil influence has affected almost every
question of foreign policy during the Kali
ser's reign.
One Of the chapters of the book is devoted
to pillorying the sycophants among the
German diplomatists abroad. Baron Speck
Won Sternburg, the Ambassador at WASH
ington, is vigorously denounced as one of
the most mischievous upholders OF syco-
phantism. He has introduced, says Count
Reventlow, a system of advertising his
sovereign hitherto unheard of. Count Met
ternich, the Ambassador at London, re-
ceives a similar lashing.
Among other accusations the writer
charges the Byzantines with influencing
the Kaiser to oppose the election of King
Haakon OF Norway on the ground that
his choice would be p~rejudicial to German
interests. 1t was with characteristic in
consistency that his Majesty was never
theless, the first foreign monarch to pay
King Haakon a congratulatory visit.