Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-18
The PititnI Tale of Prince Max.

-HE now famous letter of Prince Max of Baden,
reproduced elsewhere this page, is in
teresting not only political document
which it is predicted, will lead TO the Princes en-
forced retirement Imperial Chancellor, put also
IS z perfect specimen OF the workings oil the Ger
man mind.
when the Hun rulers ready for the major
stroke of their latest peace offensive they sum
moued Prince Max 10 the Chancellorship, being
persuaded to this choice by his professed liberal
ism his reputation abroad as the most humane OF
his countrymen ana his general popularity IN the
Empire. His appointment was counted upon 10
oIease the Reichstag Socialists nightly, as indeed
IL DID: and also gain amongst the Allies speclaI
consideration for oyertures, as fortunately II
did not Suave eloquent and speciously demo-
cratic Prince Max was rUmored to be at odds with
the HohenzolIerns. aad furtively pointed to as
Germany's man OF tomorrow. When ne was called
70 head the Ministry, lmpresslonaOle oDserV-
ers in America well as in Europe grew very san
guine AT last they exclaimed, "a new impulse
begins to stir in Germany, taTer day is about to
dawn" Then they would recall with enthusiasm
Prince Max's memorable speech in the Chamber of
DEPUTIES at Baden December the fourteenth last
his Sermon on the Mount" speech, as 1t was
popularity styled-in the course OF winch ne de-
elaTed:
Not hatred of our foes but rather love Of
Germany should be the soldiers true motive in
fghting The sword alone cannot overcome
the moral opposition of our foes. IL the world
is TO be reconciied to the greatness OF Ger
many's power. it must be taught TO feel that
behind our power stands not merely national
but a world conscience. True, the whole his
tory OF spiritual Germany's feelings of re-
sponsibility shines like beacon. This is the
sign we must inscTibe on our standards. In
this sign we shall conquer
Fair words: fine sentiment; noble gesture; very!
And those dear impressionable people who find 1t
impossible to believe that Hun is really Hun
could see nothing Pickwickan in it all
Equally destitute of humOr the Pan
Germans themselves, for they took Prince Max's
flourish of words quite gravely and stamped their
spurred boots in mighty dudgeon that the
Baden orator was impelled to explain. Not public
w of course, because that would let the cat out
of the bag would show the VOLTS leer too plainly
through the sheep-skin mask. But to reassure his
Junker friends the smiling Prince wrote to his
cousin Alexander OF HOhenlohe, the letter which is
REPRODUCED this page, letter intended for only
Supermen's eyes, but now revealed, alas, to the
worlds vulgar gaze.
Prince Max at outs with the Hohenzollerns?
How nonsensical this is he wrote, lis shown by
the fact that the Kaiser-this is entire nous
sent me a telegram congratulating me and calling
nv speech a high feat Prince Max trail
e. blazer for the Liberals, prefgurer of demo-
cratic Germany, statesman whom the Allies could
trust? Hear him himself in his confidential epistle
TO Junkerdom: The Pan-Germans fall upon me,
utterly falling perceive in their wrath that with
my Interpretation Of Christianity l am really en-
dowing their German swords with German spirit
by means of which they can conquer the world to
their hearts conteEt." Further:
Il clearly held up to scorn in my speech the
popular cutlery for democracy and all current
party watchwords, especially 'parliamentarism.'
For many day have Ionged to have
good dig at our enemies and to hold up to
ridicuIe this affected judicial attitude of theirs
in the matter of responsibility for the war,
well as their about democracy For
many a day, too longed TO confront them and
their pagan tricks with the Sermon the
Mount and, together with this doctrine of love,
TO set in clearer light THE DUTY OF THE
STRONG TO GUARD THE RIGHTS OF MAN
KIND"
Shades of Tartuffe and Uriah Heepi
There is a deal more of the sneering, Sinking
stuf-all uttered With the unreserve of the Devil
COEversing with his shadow and never suspect
ing that he might be overheard. His object, the
Prince saws. was to laugh to scorn the democratic
-ar cry or the Western Powers" Also, Il quite de-
cline to accept any such thing Western democracy
for Germany" Moreover, Il have very poor opin-
ion of the moral disposition of the rulers OF our
enemies well the terrible lack of judgment
among the people whom they rule" "a particular
ly princely compliment, this, TO the American, Brit
ish, French and Italian peoples we'll TO Or
landO, Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Woodrow Will
SOM AS to peace terms: =, TOO. NATURALLY
WISH FOR THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EX-
PLOITATION OF OUR SUCCESSES" AND, 81
WISH TO HAVE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE IN
IDENTITIES, NO MATTER IN WHAT FORM
And this is Prince Max the popular humane