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

as opposed 10 the monarchical idea as is commonly supposed, there is strong sem timent of loyalty toward the Emperor. True, the socialists are clamoring con- stantly for the reform vote and other po- litical changes, but I doubt very much whether-before the war, at any rate any large percentage of socialists would have seized the opportunity to dethrone the Kaiser had it presented itself. Ger tainly any such attempt would have been speedily smothered by those who re- mained loyal, even without the aid of the military.
 With the new conditions brought about by the war and the manner in which the war has been conducted, the viewpoint of the people at large is apt to undergo a considerable change. When they ulti- mately realize how their military leader ship and hunger for world dominion have reduced their man power, there is no tell Ing what reactions may occur
 WHEN IDOL FALLS
 If, however, the German people ever decide to pull down the idol they have worshipped slavishly for so long, it will be because of the sudden realization no, that they have been worshipping an idol. but that they have been worshipping an lmpotent and unsuccessful idol
 so long as the Kaiser is able to up- hold Germany's place among the nations of the world, so long will his people up- hold him. They will stand behind him as long as he goes forward; they will re- pudiate him as soon as he turns back They will acclaim him in triumph, but to hi .ln I'M. Kaiser himself realizes that his tenure of office rests upon victory. The war was started for the sake of world dominion; 1t has been continued solely to save the Kaiser's throne.
 Coming into such intimate and frequent contact with the Kaiser, I had wonder ful opportunity to observe the relations which existed between him and his people.
 ARTIFICIAL PRESS
 The conduct of the people since the war affords no safe criterion of their normal views and sentiments. The activity oi government agents and the power of the inspired press exerted such a great in- fluence on the feelings of the people that any outward signs of enthusiasm which they displayed must be literally dis counted. The demonstrations in favor of the Kaiser and his leaders since the war have been more or less artificial, the crowd being worked up by government agents and the press accounts have in- variably magnified them Before the war, however, whatever acclaim the Kaiser received from the public came spontan- eously. and was for that reason of greater significance.
 l know that whenever the Kaiser called at my office great crowds gathered out side to catch a glimpse of him when he came out They waited patiently, some times for as long as an hour, for the sake ofgreeting their Emperor. Their conduct on these occasions showed very plainly that he had a strong hold on their affec- tions. The Kaiser was their idol, and they were ready to suffer any inconven- fence for the sake of doing him honor.
 It was customary for classes of school children to be taken to the Tiergarten from time to time to study the groups or statues of the Kaiser's ancestors in the Sieges Alice. They usually passed my house on their way to their object lesson in patriotism. Sometimes, when the Kaiser was at my house, have seen these children halted in front of the place to