The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-11-15

lOT years against lut SlTeuBtn anu
prosperity of the German empire"
The emperor, despite his previous
expressions of good will for Ameri-
ca, gave vent to his anger against
the United States when it became
evident no official action would be
taken to stop the shipment of muni-
tions and supplies to the entente al
lies, by declaring to the American
ambassador, James w. Gerard, 81
shall stand no nonsense from Ameri-
ca after the war
Williams designs to spread Ger
man dominion in Asia found express
sion in his famous visits to Con-
stantinople when he was proclaimed
as protector of the Moslems. In this
the world saw cunning step to-
ward achievement of the Geramn
ambition of German dominion from
Berlin to Bagdad.
Friedrich Wilhelm Victor Albert
was born January 27. 1859. and be-
came Emperor William III on the
death of his father. Frederick III,
June Is. 1888 He came out OF the
University of Bonn fully prepared to
enter the school of statecraft. Set to
work in the government bureaus. he
was early taught the routine of Of :
fetal business under the tutelage OF
the great Bismarck.
AT the death of his father, the i'm
perial throne devolved upon William
age. Bismarck continued as chan
cellor, but, not for long. Though
the great statesman had made every
effort to instill his young pupil with |
his own ideas of government and
diplomatic policies. the new emperor
soon found that he disagreed with |
his grandfather's former close ad-
wiser in many important respects. In
1890 the disagreement of the two
men reached a crisis. a rupture came |
and Bismarck went. The relations /
between the two men remained
strained for several years, but be- |
fore Bismarck died peace was made /
between them.
With the passing of Bismarck the /
emperor's real reign began. AS a
military man he was stickler for
efficiency, discipline and the OBJ ?
servance of etiquette to the last de- /
tail. And of the details of all these
components of army life and training
he was familiar to the smallest .
point 1t is related that during mil
Ia Oh 30 Ia.A
the slightest imperfection in the
equipment or training of a regiment |
or squadron and called attention to ,
the dereliction sharply With the
principles of tactics and maneuvers.
too, he was thoroughly acquainted
Besides being we'll versed in army
matters. the emperor was thorough
ly familiar with naval affairs, hav-
ing a technical mastery of the de-
tails that go to make up the eff
problems was one OF his pet occupa-
tions. His influence was potent in
fostering the development of Ger
man commerce, art and science His
interference in these affairs as we'll
as in statecraft often embarras ssed
German leaders and evoked from
them admonitions to leave diplomacy
to his chancellors.
In everything he was described as
thorough and, withal, one of the
hardest workers in the empire. His
rising hour was 6 o'clock sharp and .
a long days hard work, which fire.
Quently extended well into the
night, followed. Stated hours were
devoted to the task of informing
himself on the progress of events at
home and abroad through reading
Of the principal German and foreign ,
newspapers.
Before the war Emperor William
often professed friendlness for
America. He encountered the f-un-
dation of exchange professors lips
by which prominent German ed ca
tors visited this country and lee /
tured in the colleges here while ,
American professors similarly filled
chairs in German institutions of
learning.
He was an enthusiastic yachtsman
and despite his withered arm was
able to take personal command OF
his racing yachts, and sail them