Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
EX-KAISER HAS DIFFICULTY
MAKING ENDS MEET, WIFE SAYS
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tween himself and his advisers. His
point OF view was not purely con-
tinental. Neither was it British. He
never forgot the traditions OF his
house. He always remembered that
he was the Caeser of the Germans.
Too English for Germans.
II am afraid" he once said to me.
that the two strains in my blood
make me n riddle both at homo and
abroad. The Germans contend that
was too English. The English.
on the other hand, complained that
[ was too German"
All. those who have met the Kaiser
personally admit his power to charm.
Like most truly great men, he Is can.
did. is candor startles. 1t even pro-
vokes skepticlsm.
The Kaiser possesses not only
sense OF lhimor, but n 1ancetlike
wit. Men Of his temperament rarely
lack sarcastic vein. The Kaiser's
sarcasm. however gentle, has turned
friends to enemies.
At times the Kaisers temper may
gallop away with him. That is the
penalty fmost sanguine natures.
His very generosity, once betrayed,
turns to anger. lie who Is quick to
laugh is equally quick to take offense.
But he is also quick to forgive.
The Emperor's youth was a hard
struggle to prepare for the throne in
spite of physical handicaps. 1t was
clouded by his unfortunate relations
with his mother.
Intrigue Separated Mother and Son.
Whenever mother and son were on
the point of a complete understand
ing some intrigue was set afoot to
keep them apart.
The sons very desire to work, to
make himself useful, was misreprc-
sented to turn his father against
him.
When the crown came to William
III II was always a crown of thorns.
During the 80 years of his reign
William II carried tho heaviest re-
sponsibilities without complaint. He
labored without relaxation.
He possessed and he still retains
the ability for quick intuitive judg.
ments. His verdicts. while fast, were
never snap judgments. His intuition
was more often right than the de-
liberate cogitation of the elder states
men. Would to God he had trusted
his judgment more often than theirs!
The publication of the Kaiser's
marginalia on state documents has
shown how often his judgment was
sounder than the policy. adopted by
his government. 1t would have been
better for Germany II he had ruth
lessly swept away the passive resist
ance that thwarted his plans. especi.
ally In the foreign Office. His share
in the military campaigns OF the
World War was far more decisive
his collaborators.
Called to Power Too Soon.
The very obstacles palced in his
path before he assembled the throne
had made the Kaiser uncertain Of
himself. in spite Of his efforts, natural
in a young man called to power per.
haps too soon. to assert himself.
His faith in himself received
another staggering blow when Prince
Bulow practically disavowed him in
Parliament. I refer to the publication
Of the interview in the Daily Tele-
ated by the foreign office. and to the
storm Of indignation against the
Emperor that followed. Then, as
later, his paladins sought refuge in
cyclone cellars. leaving their sover.
eign to brave the fury OF the elements
their negligence had unclaimed.
The Emperor always welcomed
suggestions tactfully made by com.
petent persons. His mind was always
open. He lent his ear To every one
capable OF imparting information. II
was not his fault that too often the
information was colored by deceit or
by the desire to fawn upon the i'm.
periai master.
The Kaiser never enjoyed parlor
patter. 1t was not always easy. espe-
cially for women. TO engage him in
conversation. The fault lay mostly
his peculiarities.
Underneath his vivacity turks n
deep fundamental shyness. This shy.
ness has pursued him throughout his
life. II Is an inherited characteristics.
I understand that my husband
young cousin. the Prince OF Wales. is
handicapped by the same Inheritance.
Princes Devoted to Him.
The ruling princes OF Germany. In
spite Of gossip to the contrary. were
devoted TO William II. ! remember
my conversations preceding the war
with the late King William OF Wur
temberg, with the King Of Saxony
with the Grand Duke OF Oldenburg.
with the Duke OF Al,enberg and with
Prince Henry XII OF Reuss. Junior
line. Every one OF these crowned
heads expressed admiration FOR VII
liam II. although their attitude was
by no means uncritical They Ind
no reason to Disguise their opinion
from me. myself tho daughter OF u
reigning prince.
met the other German rulers oulN
after the debacle. They were not dis
posed TO make William the scapegoa,
for the fall OF the empire. although
their own thrones tumbled after the
Emperor's abdication In Bavaria.
Brunswick. Nee k lenhurg- Schwerin
barbados had been raised even before
the ninth OF November. A madness
seized our people. II was due largely
to the undernourishment OF the war
period.
The German revolution would have
proved abortive. In spite az intrigue
hove and below. in spite OF the hat
tering Of allied armies and the hlcker.
.nss Of allied propagandists with Ger
man defeatists. except for the hunger
psychosis which deprived the German
people temporarily OF their reason.
This seems to be the view OF Crown
Prince Rupprecht OF Bavaria, The
Duke Of Brunswick assumes a similar