The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-08-13
THE GERMAN PREMIER
Personality Of DR.. Won Bethmann-
HoIlWeg, the New Chancellor.
RESERVED AND THOUGHTFUL

Prince Won bulows Successor ls EN-
peror Williams College Friend and
Has Been Called "tho Philosopher
Statesman"-A Man OF Convincing
Thought and Substance.
DIR. Theobald Won Bethmann-Holl.
veg, former secretary of the interior
and vice chancellor, who was recently
appointed by the kaiser chancellor OF
the German empire In succession to
Prince Won Bulow, Is college friend
of Emperor William II. They were
fraternity brothers In the Borussia
corps ut Bonn, and during the entire
reign of William DR.. Won Bethmann-
Uollweg often has advised his males
ty. But he has shown dlsinclinntiOn
to accept high office He Is a man Of
reserved and thoughtful habits and
has been called "the philosopher states.
man"
Natural and Simple In Bearing.
He is n tall man with n long face
emphasized by small, dark, pointed
beard. Emperor William often has
found rest and comfort in Dr. Won
Observation-Disclosures repose of man
ner and agreeable conversation and
he Is one Of the few frequenters Of
the court whose bearing toward his
majesty Is natural and simple.
Or. Won Bethmann-uollweg is Of
Jewish origin. The Bethmann family
left Holland two centuries ago on ac-
rount of its religion and settled In
Frankfort, where the men engaged In
banking. His great-Erandmother mar
ried John James Hollweg, who added
his wife's name to his own. His
grandfather was the first member Of
the family to enter public service. He
became professor of Jurisprudence
at the Bonn university and received 4
patent Of nobility for his learning.
Later he was made a member Of the
Prussian diet and became active in
the constitutional agitation of the for
ties, and ten years later he was APP
pointed to the Liberal cabinet as min
lister of education.
Often Rode With the Kaiser.
Prince Won Bulow's successor Is fifty
three years old. In youth he studied
law, always the first step to public
career. and was appointed assistant
judge. Before he was thirty years old
he was made district governor of ODER
Barnim and later became provincial
president of potsdam. For three years
there he saw much Of his majesty, and
the two took long walks and rides to-
gether. 1t was the doctors custom to
ride out with his majesty in an old
tweed suit of sober cut, and he always
selected quiet horse,
Following mis- sojourn at Potsdam
DR.. Won Bethmann-Holweg's promo
ton was rapid. He became president Of
the government Of Bromberg and presi-
dent of the province of Brandenburg,
from which post he took up the port
folio of Prussian minister of the in
terror. He followed Posadowsky as
imperial minister and showed In par
lament his powers of plain and effec.
tive statement. He is without the
graces of expression and the wit Of
Prince Won Bulow. but is man of
convincing thought and substance.
Prepared Important Laws.
Since he became minister of the in
terror DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg has
distinguished himself by preparing an
imperial insurance law and law con-
trolling n right of assemblage, both Of
which passed the reichstag.
DR.. Won Bethmann,H ollweg in his
political principles is n mild Conserva-
tive. but he is most particular In the
application to himself of the tradition
al policy that the servants of the
crown must be nonpartisan. While he
was district governor of Bromberg the
Conservative interests sought to use
his influence In a local election, and
he explained Indignantly, II am an
administrative official, not an election
agent"
Prince Won Bulow recently said Of
the new chancellor, "He is a very able
man and of profound nature"
DR.. Won Bethmann- Hollweg possess
es an excellent knowledge Of the Eng