The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-23

time will surely come when America win
 have to turn to Germany for tilnber.'
 SMILED AT THE IDEA smiled at the idea of our country hav- ing to rely upon German timber, but the
 Kaiser insisted that at the rate we were
 using up our lumber resources Germany
 would soon have greater supply avail able than we. I wonder if the Germans
 have been planting a new tree for every one they have ruthlessly destroyed on the continent of Europe during the past few years of destructive warfarei
 It is a fact, however. that the German laws are very stringent in this respect. One is-not permitted to cut down a tree on ones own premises without first se- curing the consent of the tree commits sion, and as the red tape'' involved in an appeal to the German authorities in matters of this kind is most wearying, , such applications are not frequently re- sorted to-
 , Another illustration of the Kaiser's fla miliarity with our national problems was afforded in a remark he made at the time of our financial panic in 1907. which he said should never have been possible.
 "Poor Miss Farrar, your opera singer, has been telling me she lost every penny she had in your Knickerbocker bank failure. The men who caused that panic would go to prison mighty quick If we had them in Germany, can tell
 you. I have read that II of your
 bank presidents committed sui- eide. Just think of 1t: Eleven bank presidents! These things should not be, Davis; but you will
 continue to have these psnics
 from time to time until you adopt n hankfnU xVff
 hank. such as we have.'
 The establishment of the federal re- serve bank system in this country one of the most important measures adopted under President Wilson, carried us suc- cessfully through the financial stress and strain of the world-war, and shows how thoroughly the Kaiser understood the
 workings and requirements of our na- tional banking arrangements.
 SOME IDEAS NOT so SOUND
 Many of the ideas he formed regarding our institutions. however. were not so sound, although they were based on ,inti- mate knowledge and constant investiga- tion. He never overlooked an oppor- unity to learn all he could about the United States.
 election system. The idea of a four year term. for the President was naturally re- pugnant to one who held such exalted mo-
 tions as to the rights of rulers. It would be too much to expect the Hohenzollern mind to approve of constitution which provided for the rulers return to private life after a period of four years at the head of the government.
 He declared that with constan, change of administration it was quite out of the question for this country to e<1Y lAft twt ,nls T< enough even so far as internal affairs | were concerned, he said, but such sys- | tenn made it impossible. he thought, for America ever to take a prominent part in international politics
 You can't expect the nations of the world to deal with America as they deal
 among themselves, when the next change l of administration may mean the adop- 1 tion of an entirely new foreign policy. he declared There can be nothing sta ble about the foreign policy of nation
 whose leaders change every four years FOR LONG TERMS No doubt it would have suited the Kaisers plans better, in his own mind al any rate. if our Presidents held office for 1 20 or 90 years at stretch, or, better still for life. Then he might nave considered 1 1t worth while to exert whatever influ- SHcF ne scofamandeQ ln tnfs country which he believed was considerable, IT
 favor of the candidate he thought would best fall in with Germany's plans. It was hardly worth much effort to secure thl election of a pro-German President wh<
 would hold office but few years a1 most.
 American party politics were con. stant source of einbArra ssment to tn. Kaiser He always seemed undecided al to just how he should receive an Amer. xan of prominence. IT he happened to b, of the. same political faith as the admin. istration. the Kaiser was afraid to dt him too much honor for fear of offend. | ing the opposing party. who might vii the next election. and if he were not o1 the same party as thes administration the Kaiser feared to honor him lest nor. 1 immediate resentment he stirred up ir America. Thus he refused to receiv, Bryan on two different occasions VI {, a republican administration was Ti, power. CRITICIZES ELECTIONS He criticized very strongly, tool ou, election metheds.
 Instead Of discu.sins principles. }you,