The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-24

hndlt lHS QepdIluECf tiCAt teachers, no doubt. feeling that the youngsters would gain greater inspira- ion from a fleeting glimpse of the living than they could possibly derive rom prolonged study of the statues of lis departed ancestors.
 INTEREST IN KAISER
 Most of my patients knew that the Kaiser visited me, and they never tired ,f asking questions about him. It was almost impossible for them to believe that hey were to have the privilege of sitting m the very chair which their Kaiser had 
 Does the Kaiser actually sit in this rery chair?' they would ask in incredh- ous tones. Does he ever talk about any hing? Please tell me what he said the ast time he was here' Apart from con- iirming the fact that the Kaiser had been to me for treatment. I made it rule never to repeat what the Kaiser had discussed with me.
 A new German office girl whom I had engaged attracted the Kaiser's atten- ton. and he was gracious enough to shake hands with her. After he had left the girl held out the hand the Kaiser had grasped and said she wouldn't wash it for a week.
 "Just to think, this hand has
 grasped the Ixaiser's hand. When
 tell my family about it tonight
 they won't believe it!'
 The fact that the Kaiser con-
 descended to acknowledge the
 plaudits of his people by salute
 or a wave of the hand was cited
 proof of his graciousness and
 kindness; their god was smiling
 them, and their qualification
 was overwhelming.
 To maintain this state of veneration was one of the Kaisers principal con cerns. That was why he never ap- peared in public except in full uniform; why he always rode a white horse, while the rest of his staff rode dark ones; why the pictures of him that were allowed to be circulated always showed him to the very best advant- age, why every case of lese majeste was punished with the utmost severity; why, in short, every possible precaution was taken that the exalted ideas which the public held regarding their Kaiser should never be undermined.
 BOLDLY BEHIND HIM
 With this spirit of devotion dominating the people generally, it was only to be that they should have stood sol idly behind their Emperor when he sought to achieve the one ambition of his life-his dream of world dominion.
 There is no doubt that the war was planned and made possible by the mili- tarists and the<junkers. and that every effort was made to conceal from the people it's real purpose and ultimate goal, but if anyone imagines that the people at large would have held back had they realized the truth, he fails to under -f.anI ha r1tyf,, .af Van. tonic race.
 The Germans are the most quarrelsome people in the world It is misleading to speak of the German militarists- All Germans are militarists. The records of their civil courts tell the story. In 1915 there were no less than 5,00O,000 petty cases tried in the courts. and as every case naturally involved at least two par ties, the astonishing fact is disclosed that some 10,00O,0O0 Germans or one-sev- snth of the entire population, appealed to the courts in single year!
 NATIONAL SHORTCOMING
 The bellicose character of the people was evidenced in countless other ways. It was the natural result of what l be- ieve to be the most pronounced national -selfishness. The average German is the most selfish individual in .he world. He thinks of himself and his own comfort first, last and all the time. have noticed on the street cars, in he theaters, in the public highways, in he restaurants and hotels. where people Everyone looked out for himself first and pushed aside those who stood in his way. In civil life, just as n state of war, the German prac- iced the principle that might makes right
 Chivalry, courtesy, magnanimity are as foreign to the German makeup as they are characteristics of the French. X keen desire to make something out of 1ctEing is another national trait of the Germans, if my observation has been accurate. What is commonly referred to IS German thrift is only a polite name Or German stinginess, and l have seen % many illustrations of the petty mean ness of the German people that it seems dle to specify single instances.
 Just by way of example, however, 1 nay mention particularly atrocious ,ase of this common failing among the Germans. One Christmas I presented my wife with a set of furs and had them ient to the house of a friend, where my wife was staying for the holidays. l tfterward learned that my wife's hostess lad ferreted out the name of the furrier TOii WHOHh Udu pui tiiC iuiS oho lad demanded a commission on the 'ale!
 One of the first impressions I received bout the German people. when l went 0 live among them fourteen years ago, vas the lack of comradeship among hem. Class distinctions are drawn so inc, and there are so many gradations, hat it was almost impossible to find wo Germans on the same social plane. )ne was always the others superior. After my fourteen years experience lmong these people, l cannot say thai hat early impression has been removed; f anything, it has been deepened
 Another early impression that has re- nained with me was the prevalence Of he military spirit in civil litf 1t was videnced by an atm osphere bf oppres- ion, which was perhaps more imagin- try than real, but which was most ap. ,reciable just the same. Practically very public official was soldier His military bearing and outlook colored his very act, and the civilian always felt nore or less at disadvantage in deal ng with him.
 ARMY TACTICS
 This state of affairs was brought about " the fact that while every male Ger nan is supposed to serve two years in he army, unless he passes the higher xa animation for the one-year service. many serve an additional ten years. and hereby become entitled to position for fife in the civil service--the police, fire. telegraph, post office, tax. GUS ons or some other similar governmental apartment. The great majority of these 'fficers are army veterans, and they lever allow the civilian to forget it.
 Anyone who has lived in Berlin and is amiliar with conditions in other Euro can capitals, will bear me out that the ;erman policeman is the most arrogant ,olice official in the world. His word s taken in court in preference to that