The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-22
Ex-KAlSER WAS WEAK AND VAIN
 SAYS WRITER Admiral Toss Tells of Freaks of Former
 Emperor. DECLARATIONS
 GIVEN AS PROOF German Population Blamed For Monarch's
 Powers.

Berne, Aug. 22.-AdmiraI Foss, in his book. Revelations Concerning Our Collapse" devotes . long chapter to the fallen German Emperor. He is very anxious to explain that he is not kicking a man who is down, be- cause in 1902 he held and has since expressed. both verbally and fin writ ing, views about the ex-Kaiser pre- cisely similar to those which he now sets forth. In many respects Admiral Foss merely confirms the opinion al- ready formed by most impartial per sons about William II.-that he is an abnormal and very mixed character, quick In the uptake, and fascinat- ing when he chooses so to be, but morbidly vain, very superficial ana very ungrateful, with an inordinate idea of his own importance, and convinced that he is capable of great deal of which he is wholly and constitutionally incapable. Always highly nervous, not to say neurotic, so much so, indeed, that more and more persons competent to judge con- slider him as having long been not quite in his right mind. he has suffer ed greatly during the latter part of the war from convulsive attacks.
 
 ter on William II.--a chapter, which 1t must be admitted Is not embittered 1t is impossible not to reflect that pomp publicity and ceremony were as his very life-blood to the ex- Kaiser, and that no one could less easily endure the quiet life of prd- vate person, whether at Amerongen or elsewhere. He has not, according to the Admiral. perseverance and dili- gence enough to master any study, not to speak of so delicate matter as statecraft. He has always been profoundly interested in something for a time. but only for Q short time; then he must needs fly off to some thing else. Such man could hardly console himself by absorption in any subject.
 As Admiral Foss reminds us, the ex-Kaiser went through life humping his fist, often metaphortcally but sometimes literally, the table, and saving T will have this'' or "I must have that" or This that or the other must be done." Yet when the time came for taking prompt, firm de- cisions he was invariably found want1ng--a deficiency which the ex- Admiral primarily attributes to Will liarl ITS lack of nerves. Moreover. he could not bear the thought of others doing things and getting the credit therefor, and could not believe that any technician or expert might know more about something than he did himself.
 For instance, Admiral Foss relates that when the German Admiralty Ofrice asked for plans to be submitted for the construction of a battleship, the ex-Emperor immediately wanted to send in his design. A technical ex- pert was deputed to help him, who very unfortunately had not been en- gagged in practical work for some time past, and consequently was rusty" Thus when the ex-Kaiser s plan for the battleship was examined, it was found that had the vessel ever been constructed and launched, she would immediately have toppled over. Again, two learned experts were one day summoned to the ex-Emporer to advise him about some important work in progress. He received them charmingly, but what was their as- tonishment when he delivered them a lecture lasting two hours, and then they had to leave without having been able to get a word in edge ways In the ante-room, as they were leaving. one looked at the other and said aghast: we might have saved ourselves this expedition"
 Admiral Toss, however, Is far toC much distressed by the straits tc which Germany has been reduced largely Gas he thinks) owing to tn, obstinacy and self -suff1cienoy of he1 ruler. to have any inclination to laugf or to see the humorous as we'll as th' serious side of William HIS es capades and tactless speeches. Tn old Admiral quotes a long series O his former imperial masters sayings beginning with 1889 and continuin. unrl far on into the war. and it only when these speeches and saying arc read thus. one after the other year after year. steadily progressinl in foolishness. that their arrogance provocativeneS. we might almost sa, craziness. is fully brought to light They were, of course, largely destine' to irritate Britannia, who, however sat quietly by looking on smiling, am only once made a remark, smiling and only once made a remark. Thi was when Wilhelm IT. sent a telegram to the Car of Russia, in which eth Admiral of the Atlantic" sent hi best wishes to the Admiral of tn Pacific" Britain then gently but of foaal1y reminded the ex-Kaiser tha not he but Lord Fisher was Admira of the Atlantic
 Admiral Foss says he remember that, after a long series of these fu' mirating discourses, French-Swis observed: Your Emperor Is threat ening the whole world" I believ this French-swiss was none othe than a well known and charming ol Genevese professor. still alive, an much absorbe@since the war in Re Cross work.
 The ex-Kaiser is also accused b Admiral Foss of having run afte American and other money kings. an of having shown scant courtesy to
 certain American Ambassador Berlin. who. not being very we'll of had to live simply, and could nc
 make a great display.
 Again. the Admiral tells us ths when Prince Henry visited the Unite Stmten and was received very coui