Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-08-18
Celebrated Poem Which
Caused Diplomatic Trouble
portland .Journal)

Aptttfeof OiNEOtA+3 4hhS. ~ ~ tHS
Editor Of the Journal ~ am sending
you the original version of IIoeh der
Kaiser" 1t was written by Scotch
man, A. McGregor Rose, then on the
staff Of the Montreal Herald, and us
ing the nom de plume A. NJ. R. Gordon.
He called it "Kaiser & Co. 1t was
written during the Boer War, when
Dom Paul went on a mission to solicit
the aid of Kaiser Welhelm, which,
doubtless, at the dictates of discretion
alone, was not forthcoming.
While possibly not up to the mark IN
finish and form, it is one of the most
famous lampoons in existence, a posi-
tion it well merits for its keen wit and
incisiye satire on the kaiserly eharae-
ter, which has after these long years
ripened into such deadly activity as to
throw the whole world into despair.
Thackeray or Twain never did any
thing better, and to find its kindred
we must go to Swift, Moliere or Aris-
tophanes.
Very strangely, it has not become
current in this country during this, the
great kaiser war, and probably not in
the English press.
1t will be remembered that the kaiser
in the early years of his reign devel-
oped that egotism which led him to re-
gard himself as the direct legatee of
the Divine Might bestowed upon his
illustrious grandfather. The European
press treated him then with good ma
tured raillery, the worst notation made
being that he showed stigmata of in
sanity. 1t was his egotism which re-
tired and broke the heart of old Prince
Bismarck, man far too able to have
permitted his country to plunge into
so fatal an impasse as it is now floun-
dering in. And Wilhelm never rested
until Caprivi also passed, and he was
surrounded with mediocre men, too
weak and unwise to oppose his egotis
tic ambitions The lampoonist shows
his historical insight by noting those
incidents.
The lampoon struck its target in this
country and caused serious diplo
matte furry at Washington, when Cap
tain Coghlan of the United States navy
recited it at banquet, and on the com
plant of the German government was
reprimanded.
The brusque and unhesitating action
Of Admiral Dewey with reference to
German ships intruding at Manila bay
was not forgotten, and the Kaiser Is dig
nifty was deeply ruffled.
Perhaps this untoward start accounts
Fo, bn fp; - hn 10 nip al IN
even now.
The text of the poem in full follows;
Der Kaiser of dis Fatherland
Und Gott on high all dings command
We two-ach! Don't you understand
Mvself-und Gott!
He reigns in heafen and always shall.
Und mein own embire don't vas
schmall;
Elm noble pair, dinks you call
Meinself- -und Gott!
Vile some men sing der power divine,
Mein soldiers sing "Die Wacht am
Rein
Und drink der health in Rheinish wine
OF Me--und Gott.
Dere's France, she swaggers all
aroundt
IS ausgespielt dots no aggoundt);
To much, We think, she don't amount
Myself-und Gott!
She will not dare to fight again.
But if she shouldt, III show her blain
Dot Elsass (und in F'rench) Lorraine
Are mein-by Gott!
Won Bismarck vas man Of might
Und dodght he vas CLEAN out of sight;
But Aeh! he vas nicht goot to fight
Mitt Me--und Gott!
We knock him like eli man of schdraw;
We let him know whose will vas law,
Und dat We don't would schtand his
paw
Meinself--und Gottl
We send him oudt in big disgrace;
We gif him insuldt in der face;
und put Caprivi in his blace
Meinself--und Gott!
Und ven Caprivi get svelled hedt,
We very promptly on him set
Und toldt him to get up and get
Meinself-und Gott!
Dere IS grandma dinks she 3 nicht small
beer,
Midt Boers und such she interfere;
She IS learn none owns dis hemisphere
But me--und Gottl
(Note: 'Grandma" was Queen Vic
toria of England)
She dinks, good frau, some ships she Is
got
Und soldiers NIT der scarlet goat;
Achi We could knock dem! Pouf! Like
dot
Meinself-und Gott!
In dimes Of beace brebare for vars;
| bear the shpear and helm of Mars,
Und care not for den tousand szars-
Meinself-und Gottl
In fact, I humor efry whim,
With aspect dark und visage grim;
Gott pulls NIT me, und / NIT him
Meinself-und Gotti
j. B. ZEIGLER
-S-@-S