Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
Kaiser Eloquent Preacher

mirably paved central surface for motor
cars.
window 80 eager am to watch the
numberless little girls and boys hur-
rying along on their bikes. And more
on q hoiiday-fannily parties. an on
bicycles and always baby in . basket
behind mama and maybe . two-year-
old in front Of the father perched close
to his handle bars.
This is what the Kaiser eails kuitur
and what our civilization has noe yet
produced.
old ana Young Unpzetsess&
No American mother dares wfaeea her
babe along our great highways - 81
possible for you to walk 70 your nAars
est village, but there h no sidewalk
and YOU must expect every moment Q
monster truck or scorching egnnibaas %
crowd you or upon broken Stone or
into q ditch. The automobile - eme
element in modern civilization, bus
kultur would have protected our
mothers and babes ana the venerable
land that marks her superiority over
civilized America.
And we can draw small comfort from
rejecting that our beautiful country
was discovered and settled and wisely
cultivated by our Dutch progenitors.
We were then happier people and
more truly civilized than today.
In Holland you cam see the nlgnwAys
bordered by magnificent beech, elm or
oak trees. where in my wealthy State
of New York no thought is given to
that important matter. On the avenue
between Doom and Amsterdam there
are four beautiful rows Of trees. call
that kultur.
Holland Has KuHur.
One more feature and I am done.
In America the roads are made more
dangerous because of huge signboards
advertising chewing gum or cigarettes
or other such nuisance. These prevent
me from enjoying the scenery and con-
fuse me when I am in search Of really
useful signs.
In Holland the state protects the
wayfarer-in America we protect the
trusts. Holland has kultur--and no
end of civilization into the bargain.
Alas! that war made the word kul-
tur odious in our eyeS-as 1t made
everything else which had 9 German
label. Alas! that our word "civiliza-
ton" has been so painfully limited as
to mean little more than material COM
forts and labor saving machinery.
When I was younger we could still
speak favorably OF one who nad cui-
over in the sos and talked eternally
Of what he called icultchah" that other
wise useful word was made ridiculous
and finally sought refuge in certain
Boston shriEeS, where New. England
vestals trim a pickering fame on the
altar of Browning. 49,, !.
Self-Governmeft at Home.
we need a word for the civilization
that makes Holland paradise OF babes
ON wheels-a paradise where self-gov-
eminent and civil liberty are at home.
vet where each class has Responsible
ties no less than rights. Would that 4
could smuggle through the New x2rx
customs a strong dose OF Dutch CIVIL
zation-from Amsterdam to New Am
sterdaInl
that there would always be war be-
cause of that nations aggressive dis
position, their perpetual raids INTO
Germany dating back o Thousand years
and more. Louis XIV robbed Germany
of Alsace- Lorraine, and Germany TOOK
it back in 1870. Now 1t is once more
under the French nag.
He thought France cruel in her colo
MES, having in mind more particularly
the French accounts Of Devils Island,
where Dreyfus was confined. But his
knowledge in this field was not so clear
as In that of England and America
perhaps because he met few French
ne talks much and frankly. Besides,
Frenchmen know nothing of their own
colonies, and 1t is idle TO expect frank
ness from q government oficial.
French Attitude Regretted.
However, while the Kaiser looked
only for future warfare along the Rhine,
his words had in them more of sorrow
than of anger" He deeply regrets the
hostile attitude assumed by France and
can say. with truth that ever since he
assembled the throne he endeavored to
show courtesy to French visitors OF dis
tinction and to cooperate cordially IN
matters of international fellowship. If
the result has been disappointing, we
cannot blame him.
william II also spoke of the treat
ment of Germans IN French prisons,
much as our North accused the Con-
federates who had Our prisoners in
charge. I believed those tales of cruelty
when was very young, but since both
sides have published their archives 1t
appears that the side of Jefferson Davis
had grievances that fairly matched
those of Lincoln's side.
The Kaiser had heard many sad tales
from German lips, and in France was:
fed on German atrocities matching
those formerly associated with Turkey.
Indeed, it would be hard to mention
any war in this or the nineteenth GEN.
fury when each side has not accused
the other Of barbarous practices.
In the Philippines we have been &C.
cused of treating our prisoners cruelty,
and so have the British in India, but
wherever I have had personal expert
ence in such matters have found
much exaggeration, If not invention
Moreover, many tales of cruelty have
arisen from unavoidable overcrowding
rather than from evil intent.