Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1918-11-08
a period Of four years at the head of

the government.
He declared that with constant
change Of administration it was quite
out Of the question for this country
to follow any definite policy. 1t was
bad enough even SO far as internal
affairs were concerned, he said, but
such system made 1t impossible he
thought for America ever to take a
prominent place in international poll
tics.
'You can't expect the nations of the
worl0 to deal with America as they
deal among themselves when the next
change Of administration may mean
the adoption of an entirely new foreign
policy" he declared. There can be
nothing stable about the foreign policy
of nation whose leaders change every
four years."
american party politics were con-
slant source of embarrassment to the
kaiser. He always seemed undecided
as to just how ne should receive an
American of prominence. If he hap
pened to be of the same political faith
as the administration, the kaiser was
afraid to do him too much honor for
fear Of offending the opposing party,
who might win the next election; and
II he were not of the same party as
the administration, the kaiser feared
to honor him lest more immediate re-
sentiment be stirred up in America.
Thus he refused to receive Bryan on
two different occasions when q Repub-
Ncan administration was in power.
He criticized very strongly, too, our
erection methods.
Instead Of discussing principles,
your political candidates exchange per-
sonalities," he said. "My people would
be shocked at the sort of speeches and
accusations which figure in ali your
political campaigns. Over here, moth
ing Of the kind is ever heard"
The kaiser was very much interested
in our negro problem. 1t seemed to
have a great fascination for him, and
he frequently referred to 1t. He told
me that he understood there were
100000 negroes in this country, but
they were dying of in great numbers
through consumption and other dis
eases to which they offered but poor
resistance.
''The negro will always be a great
problem in your country, however" he
added. "They don't mix socially with
the whites, and there will be constant
friction. My brother prince Henry,
when he returned from his visit to
America, told me lot about these
negroes. Indeed, one of the most i'm
pressive things he heard there was a
choir Of negro voices. He said they
sang some wonderful melodies, and
their voices were as clear as BELLS"
After the war started, the kaiser
referred to the negroes again. 'Now
is your chance to settle your negro
problem" he declared, half facetiously,
of course. IF America insists upon
coming into the war, why doesn't she
send her negroes across and let US
shoot them DOWN."
When feet of our battleships Wis
tied Kiel some six years ago the kaiser
paid them visit and was very much
interested. When he called to see me
shortly afterward he told me of his
experience.
Il went over the ships from top to
bottom" he declared. "They are ex.
cellent vessels, every one Of them, and
was very much impressed with the
way they are manned and Offered.
have only one criticism-the lattice
work coming towers, or fighting
masts. The only possible use l car
see In them would be to train vines or
them and install an elevator inside
and serve tea in the afternoon to tht
ladies on top-the most beautiful place
for serving afternoon tea ! can imag
Inc.
"But, seriously speaking" he wen
on, II can't see that these masts hay'
any practical value. On the contrary
/ can see very serious disadvantages
In them. No matter what nation 70,
might be fighting, your enemy would
always be able to recognize you at ,
distance, before you could identif!
him, because the warships of all 0the
nations look very much alike at dis
lance.
'They say these coming towers ar
armed" he went on, "but you wOul,
never get close enough to your enem
to use such small guns. Again. II on
| of those masts were hit It would sen
a shower of steel about the heads O
the men on board. and would not onl
put many of them out of action. Blu
ould be in the way. Suppose, to<
the mast were struck down and hun
over the side? 1t would drag throug
the water, and would not only serious
~ impede the vessel, but 1t woul
cause the ship to list and expose
larger area on one side than would b
safe. No, Davis, your fighting mast
as have said. might answer first-rat
for serving tea, but l don't think muc
of them for active service"
But IL the kaiser saw much
American ways and customs to col
denim, he likewise saw much to con
mend, and. before the war, he wa
liberal In his praise of many OF OF