The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-20
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

The word Kaiser will have less and less significance from now on. Just as the word Caesar" only now evokes pie lures of the Roman empire, so in the years to come will the word eKaiser'' embodify forth the passing of the Ho- henzollerns the founders of the dynasty which lifted Germany on high and then through overweening ambition cast it down.
 Kruger tells us that "Praesidium'' (presidency) Commander in Chief of the Federation" and Grown of Prus- sia' were the terms used in the consti- tuition of the North German federation to express Prussia's leadership in it. After the conclusion of the November treaties the Bundesrat with the con- sent of the southern states, proposed to give the new German confederation the name of "Deutsches Reich," and to the Prussian King the title "Deutscher Kaiser, as president of the federation.
 It is interesting in present developments to note that the initiative to this step was taken by the unfortunate King Louis Il of Bavaria. In d rema rkable letter to King William of Prussia, he wrote. After the accession of south Germany to the constitutional union of Germany, the rights of the Praesidiun conferred upon your majesty will extend over all the German states. I have given my consent to their union in single hand, convinced that to do so corresponds with the interests of the fatherland as d whole and of its allied princes"
 Now this written in a lofty and un- selfish strain nearly 50 years ago, failed 10 carry within it a lurking danger The Bavarian King went on to say, but at the same time confident that the con stitutlonal rights of the Praesidium Of the federation by the restoration of a German empire and of the dignity of a German Kaiser are rights which your majesty exercises in the name of the whole fatherand. upon the basis of uni versal consent of her princes. I have proposed to the German princes to sug- gest with me to your majesty that the exercise of the rights of the Praesidium of the federation should be connected with the title of German Kaiser"
 Amidst the thunder of the cannon which bombarded Paris, William I was proclaimed Kaiser, January IS. 1871. in versailles The title was not intended to carry any power but meant to be nothing but an honorary one, to show forth to the world the dignity of the new state It was accepted in this sense by King William of Prussia. It carried lit- tie more real. added power to his majesty than did the title of Empress of India to Queen Victoria, but it pleased him immensely just as did the one bestowed on her gracious majesty the beloved ruler of Great Britain.
 Lawyers say that the event in Yer sailles had no meaning so far as the juristic foundation of the German em- pire is concerned. The foundation of the German empire dates hsck to January l. 1871, the time when the constitution of the North German federation. changed by the November treaties, went into ef- feet in all the states of the unionA know some claim that April l6. 1871, the date of the reduction of the constitutions Is given as the date of the birth of the new empire.
 
 Only the King of Prussia. not sup- stitute. may boar the title Kaiser. al- though they are likewise endowed with all the imperial power during the time they may happen to rule in Prussia. I suppose. however, since the abdication of William II. that this question is largely academic or question for the lawyers. Since the constitution says nothing in regard to the succession to the Praesidium, it is generally recog- aized that Prussian law alone determines