The Washington herald., 1908-06-07
BETWEEN THE
PRESIDENT AND THE KAISER

The likeness in personal characteristics
between President Roosevelt and the
Kaiser is remarked upon as often in Ger
many as here" said Col. E. G. Andrew,
who has just returned 10 New York from
a prolonged stay in Berlin and other Ger
man cities Il had many opportunities OF
seeing Emperor William while abroad and
heard many characteristic stories about
him from those who are intimately asso-
ciated with German court circles, and
must say that there is striking similar
ity between the two men, chiefly, think,
because OF their versatility. which leads
them 70 take keen interest in almost every
imaginable subject.
"As Is well known, both have much the
same theories of government. believing
fully in the Capitalization Of power in the
head Of the state. Both are believers in a
big army and navy and are fond Of mar
tial display. Both are keen sportsmen
and are devoted to outdoor life. To carry
the comparison further. both are men of
upright character ardent opponents Of
race suicide. and themselves the heads of
large families.
Both Popular at Home.
1.-The Kaiser is quite as popular among
his countrymen as is the President The
Germans realize that their Emperor is de-
voted heart and soul to the task OF plac-
ing his country in a leading position
among the nations both In armed strength
and in commercial activity. In fact, the
Kaiser is Just as keen for extending Ger
man trade as he is for increasing Ger
manys fighting power. although this is
not generally realized by the outside
world. He IS a good politician, too, and
usually gets what he wants from the leg
islative branch of the government. In the
matter OF political cleverness II is, OF
course, difficult 10 compare him 20 Presi-
dent Roosevelt because conditions In the
two countries are so radically different.
To an American. at least. Mr.. Roosevelt
appears to have developed TO a higher de-
gree the finesse OF the political game.
Perhaps as a republican leader. however,
the Kaiser would show equal facility.
Another trait IN common Is that both
are always interested in meeting distin-
guished men OF other lands, and some
times in astonishing them with knowledge
of their own particular fields. As a lin
guist the palm must go to the Kaiser IN
Cidentally, those who know him have been
somewhat amused recently by the latest
demonstration OF the imperial facility
with tongues, which was also a demon
stration of the occasional fallibiiity of the
imperial knowledge. II was announced
that in preparation for his recent visit 10
Corfu the Kaiser had been at pains to
learn modern Greek In order 10 converse
with the islanders in their own tongue.
What was his surprise on arrival 10 find
that. although Greek subjects, the island
ers used the italian language, and that in
consequence his latest acquisition in the
way OF languages would have TO walt an
other occasion for its display.
Like Literature and Art.
THE President and the Kaiser are also
alike in their interest in literature and
art. President Roosevelt is, Of course,
one OF the best-known living American
writer's on sport, history, biography. poll
tics. and kindred subjects. The Kaiser
has no such pretensions to authorship
although he did compose an opera. has
prepared some forceful state papers, and
has no mean ability as n public speaker
He has decided tastes IN the matter OF
the various literary and art schools now
dividing Germany a fact which has been
the source OF complaint from those who
have been the object Of the Emperor
dlspleasure Instance after instance OF
his keen interest in painting, sculpture
architecture, and the drama could be