American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-25
CHAPTER ~.


"N L
shough twice during that period. once
an 1905 and again Ia 1911, he nearly
succeeded Ia precipltatlng a conflict.
Subsequent Developments have
brought out clearly enough that during
ali these years Of pence, the kaiser
was only awaiting the opportune mo-
mont to bring on war.
Germnny's preparation consisted not
merely IN building up her army ana
navy and developing a military spirit
IN her people, but Ia trying TO estnb-
iish friendships abroad where they
would do the most good In the event
Of o world war.
The Germnn military preparatlot
was more or less obvious. The kais
was always rs warmest advocate nul
frankly admitted that n was his inten-
fion 90 remain armed 10 the teeth. al
Enough he protested 10 me man times
that sis sole object was 20 maintain
abe peace OF the world.
In 1913, FOR instance, / was IN The
Hague when Carnegie delivered q
speech at the opening OF the Peace
palace, In the course Of which he de-
clared that the kaiser was a STUN
bling block Ia the way Of world peace.
When | got back 10 Berlin / msntion-
ed the fact 20 the kaiser. hoping 70
draw him out.
Yes, ! know exactly what Carnegie
said at The Hague" he replied rather
testify, "and l don't like the way no
spoke az all. He referred 10 me as the
war lord and said l was standing In
the way OF world peace. Let him look
at my record Of twenty-five peaceful
years on the thronel No, the surest
means 10 maintain the peace OF the
world Is my big army and navy other
nations will think twice before going
% war with u.s. The fact that he had
previously accepted 5.OOO.OOO marks
from Carnegie for the furtherance OF
universal peace didn't seem TO occur
ITO hiKa.
And the world AZ large learned more
OF less Of German intrigue and propa.
gnnda since the war. but Il Is not gen
orally known that the same sort Of
thing was going on even more actively
IN time Of peace. Countless measures,
~ The most subtle and insldiOus char
acter. were taken 10 lull into a sense OF
false security the nations she intended
eventually 90 attack aud TO inspire fear
IA or command the respect OF nations
which she hoped would remain neutral
or might even be induced to throw In
iheir lot with hers ia the event OF
war.
In this phase OF Germany's prepare.
1ion Tor war, the kaiser took a leading
part.
Il is a fact. for Instance. that prac-
aieally every officer in the Chilean
army Is a German. and the kaiser has
spared mo- pains 90 foster the friend
ship OF the South American republics.
commercially and Automatically.
one OF the South American minis
ters told me OF ana ex-president Of
Peru who had visited Berlin. This
Peruvian had previously visited Lon.
lon and Paris and had received little
or NO official attention Ia either OF
chose capitals. For reasons best
known 10 himself. the kaiser decided
go eater to this gentleman and accord
ingil arranged un audience.
ln ihe discussion which took place
nl tArs met. ihc kaiser displayed
a u remarkable acquaintance with
q, .u1Iau affairs tud tho family hiss
fft Hnt political career of his visitor
fnt fh, South AH.llcan was stunned.
81 en De- returned homc be carried
Hiih him a MOST esllled idea uf the
aH u~trY0diae Wislnm of the German
emperor. no what extent the kaiser
hUN spent the midnight Oh prepnring
for this Interview I have no knowledge
bur knowing the importance he placed
lpun making a favorable impression
30 an Zines I have d mental picture of
hi- delving deeply into South Ameri
eau lore IN preparation for his guest
There Is nothing dearer 90 the kaiser
than caste and social distinction. Nor
ganatlc marriages were naturally ab
hOrrent 20 him. Nevertheless, beforl
Archduke Franz Ferdinand. the sue
cessor TO the Austrian throne. wa
murdered, the kaiser not only recOg
nized his morganatic wife, who wa
only a countess. but went out of hi
way 70 SHOW htl utAetehee- ne plhNe
her at his right at all state function
which she attended. To bring Austri
and Germany closer together. he wa
willing TO waive one Of his deep-roote
prejudices.
The significance Of the kaiser
many visits 70 Italy, his presentatio
of a statue to Stockholm. his yachtiI
excursions In Scandinavian water
his firtations with Turkey from h
castle on the Island of Corfu. and sir
liar acts Of ingratiatiOn, becomes qui
apparent in the face Of more rece