Chapter VIII: Part 8

In my name and in the name of our entire German people I heartily congratulate your Excellency on this magnificent work which you have so wonderfully displayed before me to-day. Our Fatherland can be proud to possess such a son--the greatest German of the twentieth century--who through his invention has brought us to a new point in the development of the human race. It is not too much to say that we have to-day lived through one of the greatest moments in the evolution of human culture. I thank God, with all Germans, that he has considered our people worthy to name you one of us. Might it be permitted to us all, as it has been to you, to be able to say with pride in the evening of our life, that we had been successful in serving our dear Fatherland so fruitfully! As a token of my admiring recognition, which certainly all your guests gathered here share with the entire German people, I bestow upon you herewith my high Order of the Black Eagle. [Then followed the investing by his Majesty and the head marshal, Prince Fürstenberg.] Now allow me, my dear count, to bestow unofficially upon you the accolade! [Embraces him three times.] His Excellency, Count Zeppelin, the Conqueror of the Air--Hurrah!

REGATTA AT HAMBURG

HAMBURG, JUNE 22, 1909

The Emperor, as an enthusiastic yachtsman, has made it a point
to be present, as we have seen, at nearly all of the Hamburg
regattas. As he was this year to visit the Czar in the furtherance
of his "personal diplomacy," he had already been forced to decline
their invitation; but finding it possible to attend at the last
moment, he made all possible speed to arrive at Hamburg, where his
recently constructed yacht _Meteor_ was to make her first start.
The banquet, at which the Emperor spoke, took place on board the
Hamburg-American Liner _Deutschland_.

YOUR MAGNIFICENCE:

I pray you accept my most cordial and heartfelt thanks for this friendly greeting in the midst of men so well known and sympathetic to me. It was, indeed, a severe struggle of conscience for me, placed between my duty and my pleasure, to have to give up eventually the pleasure of being the guest of Hamburg. But it goes without saying that, as compared with the welfare of the realm, personal wishes must be silent, and with a heavy heart I decided, therefore, to send word that it would not be possible for me to be your guest and take part in the series of sports. Happily, however, things arranged themselves favorably. That ship which you all know, delivered to me by Vulcan, my yacht _Hohenzollern_, has again competed with her ancient and renowned reputation. We hurried and flew through the Baltic, and what the yacht could not accomplish the railroad took care of; and so it was possible for me to arrive in time for the splendid arrangements for the Hamburg racing day and, while responding to the wishes of M. S.,[43] at the same time to enter again that circle of men and women whom I prize so highly. It is my duty on the present day to express my deepest gratitude to the city of Hamburg for her warm and hearty reception, which seems to increase from year to year, if that be possible. I must also express my appreciation of the hospitality extended to me in the house of your Magnificence, and also for the beautiful boat which I have received from the hands of a Hamburg master of his craft. We have, therefore, at last before us the proof for which I have been striving for years--that, just as in the building of war-ships and of liners, so too, in yacht construction, we now stand upon our own feet. It is a worthy vessel, built with German hands, out of German materials, and manned from stem to stern by German men. I hope that before the year is out she will clip the waves and show herself to advantage in foreign ports. We follow sport here, and not politics; but your Magnificence has been good enough to touch upon points which now deeply move all German hearts. I still hope that the sense of collective responsibility will, in the hearts of the representatives of our people, be stronger than party feeling, for I assume that no one among you wishes to take upon his shoulders the responsibility of thwarting a reform which is absolutely necessary to the Fatherland's internal and external welfare. [Bravo!] You have followed with interest my journey to the Finnish coast, where I was so warmly and hospitably received by his Majesty, the Emperor of All the Russias, and by his people. I am pleased to be in a position to give you, as representatives of the commercial and business world, the following interpretation of the significance of that visit, since you are particularly interested in the peaceful shaping of the future. His Majesty, the Emperor, and myself have agreed that our meeting is to be looked upon as an important pledge of peace. As monarchs we consider ourselves responsible to God for the weal and woe of our people, whom we wish to advance as far as possible along peaceful paths and bring to fullest fruition. All peoples need peace in order that under its protection they may devote their undisturbed attention to the great cultural problems of their economic and commercial development. For this reason we shall strive as far as lies in our power to work, with the help of God, for the furtherance and maintenance of peace. Naturally, in such a time, sport also can be developed to the fullest degree. I therefore empty my glass to the hospitable city of Hamburg and to my colleagues who are here assembled. Three hurrahs for the city of Hamburg and the Hamburg-American Line! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

[43] Max Schinckel, president of the Racing Club, who had invited the
Emperor.

REVIEW OF THE FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS

KARLSRUHE, SEPTEMBER 11, 1909

The following address was delivered at Karlsruhe by the Emperor
after his return from Austria in 1909.

I extend to you my heartiest thanks for the friendly words of welcome which in the name of the citizens of Karlsruhe you have offered me. I have so often stopped here at Karlsruhe that I am no longer a stranger among you. With you I have lived through joyful and sorrowful days. On the present day, as you have said, I am here to inspect this portion of our army. We Germans are a people who rejoice in weapons and who lightly and joyfully wear our uniforms, because we know that it preserves the peace for us in which alone our work can prosper. The review from which I have just returned showed me the soldierly sons of Baden, who, commanded by their distinguished sovereign, have given me the deepest satisfaction. As long as there are wars our army constitutes the "_rocher de bronze_" upon which peace is based. Our army serves to protect it and to maintain the position in the world which is rightfully ours. For this purpose also such strenuous days of effort are devoted to its development. I am convinced that, if need arises, with the help of God and under His protection, it will give a fitting account of itself. I ask you, Herr Burgomaster, to be the interpreter of my thanks and of those of her Majesty, the Empress, for the splendid and hearty reception which the citizens of Karlsruhe have offered us.

EMPEROR BY DIVINE RIGHT

KÖNIGSBERG, AUGUST 25, 1910

It was at Königsberg that the coronation of the Emperor's
grandfather took place, or rather, it was here that William I
crowned himself King of Prussia. This express disclaimer of any
responsibility to the people may be found in several speeches, but
nowhere was the _ex me mea nata corona_ attitude more forcibly
expressed than on this occasion. Ordinarily there had been no
coronations in Prussia, as they were considered a useless expense.
As the predecessor of Emperor William I had granted the people a
constitution, William I was evidently going to insist upon his
prerogative and did so by taking the crown unto himself and making
his famous statement. His conduct and that of his predecessors has
been discussed in chapter I.

My heart bids me express to the men of this province the pleasure which her Majesty and I feel on finding ourselves again within the borders of this beautiful country and on having been received with such enthusiasm by the citizens of our loyal city and of the province. The sentiment that finds expression now in Königsberg proves that it is an entirely unique bond which joins the city and the province to our house. And, in fact, if one looks back upon the history of the country and of the house it becomes evident that great and important portions are common to both. Here it was that the Great Elector, by his own right, created himself the sovereign Duke in Prussia; here his son set the King's crown upon his head; and the sovereign house of Brandenburg thus became one of the European powers. Frederick William I established here his authority as "_rocher de bronze_"; under Frederick the Great, the province shared in the joys and sorrows of his reign. Then came the difficult time of trial. The great soldier Emperor of the French resided here, and after the power of Prussia had been shattered he let both the city and the country feel his merciless hand. Here, however, the thoughts of raising up and freeing the Fatherland were first put into action. After Tauroggen,[44] when the old, unyielding York stirred up the people with his flaming speeches, came the courageous decision of the Prussian Diet to begin the work of liberation. And here my grandfather, again, by his own right, set the Prussian crown upon his head, once more distinctly emphasizing the fact that it was accorded him by the will of God alone and not by parliament or by any assemblage of the people or by popular vote, and that he thus looked upon himself as the chosen instrument of Heaven and as such performed his duties as regent and sovereign. And adorned with this crown, forty years ago, he rode forth to battle to win the Emperor's crown also. Truly it was a long way to the time of the famous telegram of the Emperor to my late grandmother: "What a change through the providence of God!" This picture would, however, be incomplete if I did not mention one figure which especially in that year had occupied and gripped anew the Prussians and, I may truly say, the whole German people. It is not possible to think of the time of our collapse and our revival, without remembering the figure of Queen Louise. The people of the city of Königsberg and the province of East Prussia likewise saw this angel in human form wandering among them and they were influenced by her and helped her to bear her grievous ills. The noble Queen has been described by many as going about among her subjects, and our people hold her in grateful remembrance. But I think that one thing cannot be sufficiently emphasized, and that is that in the general shattering of our Fatherland, when even the statesmen and leaders of the army gave up everything as lost, the Queen was the only one who never for one moment doubted for the future of the Fatherland. Through her example, through her letters, through her conversation, and through the bringing up of her children she showed the people the way in which to find themselves again. She showed them the way back to religion and with it to a recognition of and a confidence in themselves. She encouraged our people in the thought of rallying about the King again and of winning back our freedom. And after she--a noble martyr--had faded away and enthusiasm flamed forth in the land again and old and young seized their weapons to drive the intruder from the country, then, in spirit, she marched before the colors and inspired the warriors with courage that the great work could be accomplished. What does the noble figure of Queen Louise teach us? It teaches us that, as she once imbued her sons with the one thought of restoring the country's honor and of defending the Fatherland, so we men should cultivate all warlike virtues. As in the time of the liberation young and old rallied to the standard and gave everything they had--when even women and girls did not spare their hair--so we must ever be prepared and keep our equipment intact, in view of the fact that the neighboring powers have made such astounding progress. For only upon our preparedness does our peace rest. And what shall our wives learn from the Queen? They will learn that the chief duty of German women lies not in the province of meetings and club life, not in reaching out after imaginary rights so that they may do as men do, but in the quiet work in the house and in the family. They are to educate the younger generation, especially in obedience and in respect toward their elders. They are to make clear to their children and to their children's children that it is not a question to-day of living their own life at the expense of others or of achieving their own aims at the expense of the Fatherland, but that they must singly and solely keep the Fatherland before their eyes and singly and solely devote all their powers and their thoughts to the good of the Fatherland. That is the lesson which has been bequeathed to us by this noble figure whom the Fatherland and the citizens of this city have so beautifully described on her simple monument as "the good genius of the Prussian people." I cherish the hope that all of the people of East Prussia who have gathered here will understand me and that, as they return again to their work and their occupation, they will think of these things. We must co-operate for the good of the Fatherland, no matter who and where we are. And for me, too, the conduct of this vanished Queen will be an example, as it was for my grandfather. Looking upon myself as the instrument of the Lord, without regard for daily opinions and intentions, I go my way, which is devoted solely and alone to the welfare and peaceful development of the Fatherland. But in this work I need the co-operation of every one in the country and to this co-operation I would like to invite you also. I empty my glass in the hope that this attitude may ever prevail in the province of East Prussia and that it may lend me its assistance in my labors. Long live the province of East Prussia!--Long may she prosper!

[44] In 1812 Prussia was ostensibly an ally of France. It was due to
General York, the commander of the Prussian Auxiliaries, rather
than to the Emperor's somewhat pusillanimous ancestor, King
Frederick William, that Prussia was liberated from the rule of
Napoleon. York commanded the Prussian troops who were to serve
as auxiliaries to Napoleon. On December 30, 1812, he, on his
own authority, concluded the convention of Tauroggen with the
Russians by which he broke with the French and declared his corps
neutral. The vacillating Prussian King, in spite of his country's
humiliation, was too solicitous about maintaining his throne to
dare venture upon any really decisive action. It was popular
pressure far more than the King's (or even the Queen's) initiative
which brought about the national uprising against foreign
domination.

THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN

BERLIN, OCTOBER 11, 1910

The active interest which the Emperor has always taken in higher
education in Germany is evident in the following address. If he
has given it a powerful organization he has taken from it by
unconscious processes a large measure of its earlier freedom. The
professorial caste has always been highly influential. During the
Emperor's reign it has been pressed into his service. Its present
system of organization and its connection with the government
puts the Emperor, or at least the minister appointed by him,
in a position to distribute rewards. It is said that there are
practically no Social Democrats teaching in higher institutions of
learning.

In the early years of its foundation the university of Berlin
rendered immense services to the patriotic cause, especially
through the work of Fichte and Schleiermacher.

To my loyal Frederick-William University, I offer greeting and congratulations on this its hundredth anniversary!

From the day of its founding its fortunes have been intimately bound up with those of the Prussian-German Fatherland. When my ancestor King Frederick William III called it into existence a hundred years ago, he did so in order to compensate the state with spiritual powers for what she had lost in physical power. Thus the University of Berlin was born out of the same creative genius from which sprung the regeneration of Prussia. And this spirit, which raised up Prussian Germany and which lived in Fichte, Schleiermacher, Savigny, and their friends, made the university even in a few years the centre of the spiritual and intellectual life of the Fatherland.

Truly, the University of Berlin was still far from being a _universitas litterarum_ in the sense of William von Humboldt, but it has come ever nearer and nearer to this ideal. A stronghold of wisdom, she has won, far beyond the boundaries of Prussia and Germany, an international significance. Through the exchange of teachers and students these relations are visible externally. Through the activity which it shares in common with the rest of the universities of the country it now forms the "general institute of learning" which was intended at its founding.

In the meantime Humboldt's plan, which comprised besides the university the totality of intellectual institutions, has not yet come to complete realization, and these hours of consecration seem to me especially fitted for preparing the way for the completion of what appeared to him as the goal.

His great educational plan demanded, besides the academies of learning and the university, independent institutes for research as an integral part of the general educational organization. The founding of such institutions has not kept pace in Prussia with the development of the universities, and this defect, especially in our natural-science equipment, is becoming more and more noticeable as a result of the powerful forging ahead of the sciences. We need institutions which reach out beyond the limits of the universities, institutions untrammelled by aims of instruction, yet in close touch with the academy and the university, which shall serve entirely for research.

To call such research institutes into being as soon as possible seems to me a sacred duty of the present, and I hold it as my task, as father of my country, to bespeak the general interest for this undertaking. This high aim requires great expense and can be accomplished only if all circles interested in the progress of the sciences and in the welfare of the Fatherland are ready to co-operate in this significant task and to make sacrifices for it. I should like, therefore, to-day to lay upon the conscience and place before the eyes of every one the new aim with the impressive warning: "_Tua res agitur._" I hope and firmly trust that this work will succeed; indeed, although the plans have been disclosed only to a limited circle, from various parts of the country I have already received enthusiastic expressions of support and very considerable means; between nine and ten million [marks] have been placed at my disposal. I feel the need of expressing here in this place my warmest thanks to these unselfish donors.

But to secure lasting support for this undertaking, it is my wish, under my protection and my name, to found a society which shall set for itself the task of erecting and maintaining institutions for research. To this society I will gladly turn over the money given me for that purpose. To see to it that the institutions so founded shall not lack help from the state will be the care of my reign.[45]

[45] On the Emperor's initiative, the Emperor William Society for the
furthering of the sciences was founded. It has already called into
being two scientific institutes, the Emperor William Institute for
Chemistry and the Emperor William Institute for Physical Chemistry
and Electrical Chemistry. They were dedicated by the Emperor,
October 23, 1912.

So may to-day be not only an occasion of jubilation for the University of Berlin, but may it also signify a further step in the development of German spiritual life!

And still one wish more I give to the university on its way into a new century. May she, in loyal remembrance of the time of her founding, preserve her Prussian-German character! Learning is, indeed, the common property of the whole cultural world, and her acquisitions to-day halt at no boundaries. And yet--as every nation must preserve its own manner of life if it would emphasize its independent existence and its value for the whole--may the _alma mater Berolinensis_ remain forever conscious that she is a German university. As formerly, so may she be for all time the seat of German manners and of German art! And may every one who has the honor to investigate, to teach, and to study within her walls devote himself to his task, filled with the sense for truth and for thoroughness with the earnestness and the love for all work which Goethe prized as the ornament of our people.

May the university further exercise her splendid privilege of fostering true knowledge, which, as Humboldt has so well said, comes from man's inner being to be planted again in his inner being, which creates and reshapes character. Let her do this with that noble freedom which sets laws unto itself and with that sense of exaltation which comes from being the administrator of a treasure which belongs to the whole of humanity. "_Communis hominum thesaurus situs est in magnis veritatibus._"[46] But all truth is God's, and His spirit rests upon every work which is grounded in and strives toward the truth. May this spirit of truth live also in you students; may it be found in all the workings of my dear institution of learning! Then will her age be like her youth; she shall remain a city upon the hill, to which the peoples make pilgrimage, and an ornament and treasure of the Fatherland.

[46] This phrase is taken from Leibnitz's dedication of the
_Miscellanea Berolinensia_ to King Frederick I.

THE EMPEROR IN BRUSSELS

OCTOBER 27, 1910

The Emperor and Empress, accompanied by the Princess Victoria
Luise, came to Brussels in order to repay the visit which the King
and Queen of Belgium had made to Potsdam in May, 1910. At the time
of the visit of King Albert to Berlin the Emperor did not take part
in the festivities, as he was suffering from a wound in the hand.
The honors were done by the Crown Prince. The Emperor's speech at
the banquet at the Royal Palace in Brussels calls for no comment.

The sincere words of friendship which your Majesty, in the name of her Majesty, the Queen, has just addressed to us, the Empress, my daughter, and me, as they sprang from warm hearts are welcomed by warm hearts. We remember with greatest pleasure the visit which your Majesties made to us last spring at Potsdam, and it was a welcome duty of gratitude to return it as soon as possible. The brilliant reception prepared for us by your Majesties and the Belgian people in this splendid capital has stirred us to the depths and inspires us to heartier thanks in that we see in it an expression of the close bond which unites not only our families but our peoples. It is with friendliest sympathy that I and all Germany follow the astounding results which have accrued to the untiring energy of the Belgian people in all departments of trade and industry, the crowning display of which we have seen in the brilliantly successful World Exposition of this year. Belgian commerce embraces the whole circle of the earth, and it is in the peaceful work of culture that Germans and Belgians everywhere meet. Their cultivation of the more spiritual arts fills us with similar wonder when we behold to what a conspicuous place the poets and artists of Belgium have attained. May the trustful and friendly feelings, to which in recent times the relations of our governments bore such pleasing evidence, be ever more closely preserved! From your Majesty's reign may happiness and blessing stream forth upon your house and upon your people! It is with this wish, which comes from the very depths of my heart, that I propose long life to your Majesties, the King and Queen of the Belgians!

ALCOHOL AND THE SCHOOLS

CASSEL, AUGUST 19, 1911

The Emperor had been a student at the Friedrichs Gymnasium in
Cassel, and in 1875 his parents had presented a flag to the school,
which had now to be replaced. In turning over the new flag to the
first man in the upper class, the Emperor took occasion to give the
students certain advice, particularly with regard to the use of
alcoholic beverages. His attitude here marks a decided innovation
in Germany, and if his address is compared with the one delivered
at Bonn (April 24, 1901), it will be seen how keenly aware he is of
the changing tendencies of the times.

I have decided to have a new flag woven for the upper class instead of the one which my parents bestowed when I was a student and which has fallen a victim to time. The high school has asked to have the old one back again; I will have it mended so that it may be hung. I wish you to remember, through it, that from your walls and your studies a German Emperor has gone forth.

You have been busy with the studies of antiquity. Do not lay too much stress upon the incidents of their political life; for these relations have so changed that they cannot be applied to the present. You may well rejoice in many of the great figures and characters of antiquity, but Greek culture has one special trait which no other nation has shown. The harmony which our own time so sadly lacks, the Greek people showed in art, in life, in their motions, in their dress, yes, even in their systems of philosophy, and in the handling of their problems. I especially advise you to read what Chamberlain so trenchantly says on this point in the Introduction to his "Foundations of the Nineteenth Century."

And then, above all, strive to know the history of your Fatherland. Learn to know the misery of our people in the later years of the Middle Ages, in the struggles between church and state and between the princes, in the strife of creeds during the Thirty Years' War, when our people were trodden down and brought into the service of foreign peoples and dynasties with whom its interests had nothing in common, until the final great downfall in the time of Napoleon. The year 1870 first brought us a united German state again. And if you enter upon a political career, keep your eye upon the field as a whole, and do not be disturbed by parties. For these shove their interests before those of the Fatherland and often draw a curtain between you and it. And if your political efforts threaten to bewilder you, I advise you to withdraw from them for a time--travel or go on a walking tour--and let Nature have her way. Then when you return you will have a clearer vision of the real relations. If at any time the waves overwhelm you, if the many phenomena of modern art and literature bewilder and depress you, you can always turn to these ideals of antiquity as a means of recovering your balance.

You are now ready to enter the university. Therefore I would like to give you one more counsel, which you must not take lightly, for it is to me a very serious matter. Alcohol is a great danger to our people, which, believe me, gives me great anxiety. I have led the government now during twenty-three years, and through the reports which pass through my hands I know how many crimes have been committed through alcohol. Direct your gaze for a moment to a neighboring land. The Americans are far ahead of us in this. At their universities there they do great things, as you may convince yourselves, since so many students come to us from there. There, at the reunions and at the great academic gatherings--for instance, at the inauguration of a president--no wine is seen on the whole table; and they get along very well without it. If you enter the university, steel your body through sport and through fencing--a thing I would blame in no one--or through rowing; but do not seek to make a record for yourself by seeing who can gulp down the greatest number of intoxicating drinks. Those are customs which come to us from another time. If you will take this attitude in the corps and societies, I shall be grateful to you. We have other tasks now than they had in former years and must strengthen our knowledge of national economy and finances. For it is worth Germany's while to protect her position in the world, especially in the world market. Therefore we must all hold fast together.

I herewith turn the flag over to you. The _primus omnium_, so I understand, will carry it and will consider it an honor that he is the first one to do so.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

HAMBURG, AUGUST 27, 1911

After a religious service for the army, the Emperor and Empress
visited the race-course at Grossborstel. The relations between
Germany and England were becoming strained. At the time of the
uprising in Morocco on the twenty-first of May, 1911, the French
general Moinier took measures, so he said, to protect Europeans
in Morocco and later besieged certain native cities. Germany,
pursuing her world-policy, immediately sent the gunboat _Panther_
and later the cruiser _Berlin_ to the harbor of Agadir, and assumed
a threatening attitude, as she had done at Tangier and as Admiral
Diedrichs had done at Manila. When the English made it plain that
they would support France, in accordance with the _entente_ reached
in 1904, with regard to Morocco and Egypt, feeling between the two
nations became tense and has remained so. The Emperor here, while
insisting upon the place in the sun, is at the same time insisting
on friendly competition. (See the discussion of the speech of March
31, 1905.)

YOUR MAGNIFICENCE:

As often as her Majesty and I have the happy opportunity of coming to Hamburg, it becomes our duty to express our gratitude for the joyful reception and warm, heartfelt greeting which is accorded us by all classes of the Hamburg citizens. We have felt this again to-day and are constrained to express anew our thanks for the welcome on the part of the city. It is an index of how close the relations have become between the citizens of Hamburg and our house. As the highest commander of my army, I would at the same time like to express the joy I take in the fact that the Hanseatic cities are now about to express again their lively interest and their love and fondness for the regiments which bear their names. To me it is a proof that the relationship between the garrisons and their cities is a deep and a close one, and that they are proud to give some outward recognition for the service which their sons have rendered in the past and for the zeal which they showed in their work of peace.

When, yesterday, the city of Hamburg enthusiastically greeted a portion of that army which has so long maintained peace, she did a very proper thing, for she understands that under the protection of peace she can devote herself to her labors. She is a world city and is situated on one of the greatest rivers of our Fatherland, and the breath of the sea and the wave beat of the tides come to her wharves. Just as for the human body, it is necessary for a nation to breathe in order to live. The breath of the body politic gives it life and strength. This breath is commerce. Long ago the far-sighted Great Elector coined the phrase: "Trade and navigation are the two main pillars of my state."

In the twenty-three years since I mounted the throne it has been a pleasure to me to follow the progress which the Hanseatic cities and especially Hamburg have achieved in their restless advance. If I do everything that I can on my side to help the Hanseatic cities, it is a duty that I gladly discharge.

But we need not wonder that the great increase of trade in our newly united Fatherland has disquieted many people in the world. I, nevertheless, believe that in the domain of commerce competition is healthful; it is necessary in order to spur on states and nations to new achievement. Indeed, it is the same thing with sports, as we have seen to-day at the magnificent race-course, where before the eyes of thousands of Hamburg's men and so many of her beautiful women the officers of my army rode in competition. There we see one rider who in thought has already won first prize, and on the right and on the left the next two work up to him and it becomes an earnest contest between the three. Then he who up to this point was at the head reaches for his whip, not in order to strike his two rival riders but his own horse, and he gives him the spur. In the same way competition between nations can be fought out in peace.

The powerfully developing German fleet of war, which is distinguished by its cult of manliness and discipline, has in the last decades been created by the German people as a protection to trade and navigation. It represents the will of the German people to count for something upon the seas. This growing young fleet is particularly proud of the interest of Hamburg's citizens. If, then, I have correctly interpreted this expression of your enthusiasm, I believe that I dare assume that it is your purpose to further strengthen our fleet in order that we may be certain that no one will dare challenge the "place in the sun" which should be rightfully ours. I, therefore, raise my glass to the health of the Hanseatic cities, and especially to Hamburg, the greatest of them all! The gentlemen know what I think about Hamburg and how I feel myself bound to her. And at the risk of repeating myself I say it again: the citizens of Hamburg and I understand each other! The city of Hamburg--Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

IMPERIAL GLORIES

AIX, OCTOBER 18, 1911

The special fondness of the Emperor for Aix is indicated in the
address of June 19, 1902. With his assistance the cathedral had
been restored in this year, and a marble tablet had been set
up in his honor. If the Emperor's father was concerned about
restoring the splendor of the crown, it is also true that he was
by nature one of the most liberal of the Hohenzollerns. The book
which Frederick I gave his son to read was in all probability the
magnificent volume, "Die Reichskleinodien" by Doctor Fr. Bock,
published in Vienna in 1864.

MY DEAR BURGOMASTER:

You have strengthened with your friendly words of greeting the deep impression which I received to-day as I found myself within your walls. I thank you, the city magistrates and the citizens, most heartily for this memorable day. I do not see how the eightieth birthday of my father, who was all too soon taken from us, could have been celebrated more beautifully than through the solemn unveiling of the magnificent equestrian statue dedicated to his memory, which we owe to the unselfish reverence of the citizens of Aix for the favorite of the German people. I congratulate the city on this new monument, which will serve as a bond and a joy for generations yet unborn. It will indicate that, in spite of all the frictions and political, social, and religious differences of our time, a firm bond of love and trust, nevertheless, surrounds and binds together the prince and the people.

If ever a prince deserved a monument here in Aix it was my late father. From my childhood I had occasion to observe with what interest he devoted himself to the study of the German Emperors and of their traditions and how deeply he was impressed by the power of their position and the splendor of the old German imperial crown. When as a lad I played in his room and had earned some reward through my good behavior, he allowed me to turn the leaves of a magnificent volume in which were represented the jewels, insignia, robes, and weapons of the Emperors, and finally, in brilliant colors, the crown itself. How his eyes glistened when he told stories of the coronations at Aix with their ceremonies and banquets, of Charlemagne, of Barbarossa, and their greatness! He always closed by saying: "That must all come again, the power of the empire must rise, and the glitter of the Emperor's crown must shine forth once more. Barbarossa must be freed from the tower again!" And it was granted him by Providence to play a large part in the accomplishment of this great work. On the bloody field of battle he helped his honored father to win the Emperor's crown and the unity of the German people.

Educated by my father for the high position which was one day to be mine, I grew up in wonder and in reverence for the Emperor's crown, which, with its burden and its responsibility, I have taken over from him. It is a sacred jewel from which, under God's protection, many blessings have gone forth upon the Fatherland and which has proved itself a shield for the national honor. All Germans can look up to it with trust, and it will show itself the stronger the more it is surrounded and supported by loyal affection and earnest co-operation.

As my forefathers bestowed their special favor upon Aix, so with me it has always been a pleasure to be able to show her my interest and good wishes, within whose walls here, in the extreme western part of the empire, German culture and German manners have found a place fortified by a famous past and traditions many hundred years old. May the city in the future also, with her salutary springs and beautiful wooded hills, with her manifold industries and her far-reaching commerce, grow, flourish, and prosper! May the citizens, through loyalty to God, King, and Fatherland, pursue their work and enjoy the fruits of their industry in peace! The old imperial city and her loyal citizens--Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

VIII

LAST MONTHS OF PEACE

FEBRUARY 7, 1912--JUNE 23, 1914

OPENING OF THE REICHSTAG

BERLIN, FEBRUARY 7, 1912

As a result of the Morocco crisis and the increasing imminence of
international difficulties, the war footing of the German army
had been increased to 3,860,000 men. The navy had been steadily
extended, and projects for further increases in both army and navy
were to be introduced at this session of the Reichstag and to
be granted. The question of taxation was becoming more and more
serious. In view of the project for increased armament and higher
taxation, Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg had earnestly urged all
parties to unite against the Social Democrats. His efforts were
not nearly so successful as had been those of Bülow in 1907. One
hundred and ten Social Democrats were returned. It is perhaps
significant that at this session the Reichstag voted a bill
creating a German oil company, which was to conduct its operations
under the supervision of the government and thus render Germany
more independent of foreign countries in this regard.

HONORED SIRS:

In the name of the affiliated governments, I bid the newly elected Reichstag welcome!

To maintain the solid framework of the empire and the order of the state undisturbed, to increase the welfare of the people in all classes and conditions, to protect and raise the strength and credit of the nation is the aim of all my efforts. In this I find myself in accord with my honored colleagues, and I cherish the conviction that you, as the chosen representatives of the nation, will exert your best powers in this common work.

For a generation past questions of social regulation have occupied a prominent place in the legislation of the realm. Even at the last session of the previous Reichstag the benefits of insurance were extended to a large portion of the population. The same social spirit with which the work has previously gone forward must prevail even further. For development does not stand still.

The finances of the realm have attained a firm position. On the basis of definitely calculated contributions from the states, we have succeeded in establishing a balance in the imperial economy, and by the help of the surplus which resulted we have relieved the excess of the budget. By holding fast to the rigorous policies in vogue up to the present, the empire will within a short time arrive at a complete restoration of its finances.

It fills me with satisfaction when I think to what a point the free spirit of enterprise has attained in industry and crafts, in trade, and in commerce, and how, through the increasing perfection of its technic, agriculture has gradually blossomed forth again. In view of this gratifying progress, the affiliated governments will henceforth not neglect to strengthen the foundation of our customs policy by means of alterations and the addition of new trading regulations.

A project which will be shortly put before you is to serve for the strengthening of the German interests in foreign countries. It regulates dependence upon the empire and the state in such a way that it will be easier for natives of Germany in foreign parts to remain citizens of the empire, or, in case they have lost their imperial rights, to recover them again.[47]

[47] This project resulted in a law promulgated by the Emperor July 22,
1913. It has been made the subject of considerable hostile comment
in foreign countries, as it would seem under certain conditions,
not definitely fixed, to permit a German subject to divide his
allegiance.

Article 17 of this law asserts that (German) citizenship is
lost through the acquiring of citizenship in a foreign country.
It, however, refers to Article 25, which makes the following
conditions:

Art. 25, Sec. 2. Citizenship [German] shall not be lost by him
who, before acquiring citizenship in a foreign country, shall,
on his request, have received the written permission to retain
[German] citizenship from the proper authority in his home
state. The German consul is to be consulted before granting this
permission.

Art. 25, Sec. 3. The Imperial Chancellor, on a vote of the
Bundesrat, can decree that the permission specified in Section 2,
shall not be granted to persons who wish to acquire citizenship in
a specified foreign state.

On the face of it, this decree would seem to be open to the
interpretation that it lies within the power of the German
Bundesrat to allow a man who has ostensibly acquired citizenship
in a foreign country to be counted as a German citizen.

The success of our work of peace at home and overseas depends upon the empire's remaining powerful enough to stand for and protect its national honor, its possessions, and its rightful interests in the world at all times. On this account it is my continual duty and care to maintain and strengthen by land and by sea the armies of the German people, which does not lack young men capable of bearing arms. Bills to this end are in preparation and will be laid before you together with proposals which will provide for the increased expenditure. If, Honored Sirs, you help to carry out this great project you will be doing the Fatherland a great service.

We have given a new proof of our willingness to settle international points of dispute amicably wherever this can be done in accordance with the dignity and the interests of Germany, through the conclusion of our agreements with France. In addition to strengthening our alliances with the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and the kingdom of Italy, my policy is directed toward the maintenance of friendly relationships with all powers on the basis of mutual respect and good-will.

I trust the healthy power of the German people, and, counting upon the support of a gracious God, I look out hopefully over the struggles of the day toward the future of the empire. Therefore, at the beginning of a new legislative session, I offer you, Honored Sirs, my greeting in the hope that your activities will be exerted for the benefit of the people and the country.

BRANDENBURG ONCE AGAIN

MAY 30, 1912

The indications of particular good-will which the Emperor had
always exhibited for the Brandenburgers and the marks of special
favor which he had seemed to accord to them have occasionally
aroused a certain suspicion, not to say ill will, in the minds of
some of his South German subjects. In his hereditary provinces,
Brandenburg and Prussia, it will be noticed that the Emperor had
always expressed himself most freely with regard to his personal
pretensions that he ruled by divine right alone. The two speeches
which have been most criticised in this respect are the ones
delivered at Breslau (February 3, 1899) and Königsberg (August 25,
1910). They served, unfortunately, to accentuate the differences
which existed between the subjects in various parts of the empire
and to remind them that they had a Prussian Emperor. If certain
portions of his audiences here acquiesced in these pretensions of
their hereditary ruler and were somewhat proud of the particular
confidence he vouchsafed to them, critics, and even conservative
critics, referred to these ideas of "_Gottesgnadentum_,"
grace-of-Godism, with touches of what was at least irony. After
the unfortunate crisis following the _Daily Telegraph_ interview
Chancellor von Bülow had felt constrained to request the Emperor
"henceforward to observe, even in private interviews, that reserve
which is indispensable both to the interests of a consistent policy
and to the authority of the crown." As we have seen, in spite
of the Emperor's seeming acceptance of this necessity, it had
not modified to any particular extent the tenor of his speech at
Königsberg in 1910. It may be that by this time (1912) he had taken
the admonition to heart, for it will be noticed that, though we
have the customary reference to Frederick of Hohenzollern and the
glorification of his ancestors, and also the marks of special favor
and trust in the Brandenburgers, we miss any mention of the theory
of divine right.

La Fontaine has said that it is difficult to please every one and
his father. The Emperor must have felt this when he learned that
certain of his subjects, nevertheless, resented that closing part
of his speech which would seem to imply that the Franco-Prussian
War was a sort of family affair through which the grateful
Brandenburgers decided to present the imperial crown to their
beloved overlord. Through such an interpretation the position and
interests of Bavaria, for instance, became for Bavarians somewhat
too incidental. If, then, foreign critics have drawn a distinction
between Prussia and Germany, the distinction has, therefore, a
certain warrant, since it seems to be made by the Emperor himself.
The heir to the Bavarian crown took occasion to object in one of
his speeches to the conception that the affiliated sovereigns are
"vassals of the Emperor." That he should have gone so far would
indicate that, in his mind at least, there was a disposition to
make them so. He was even more emphatic in a speech delivered in
May, 1900, before the Association for the Furtherance of Inland
Navigation in Bavaria. "I do not see," he said, "why we, if we
belong to the German Empire should not enjoy precisely the same
rights and privileges as North Germany, for the German Empire was
welded together just as much through Bavarian blood as through
the blood of any other German stock; and for that reason we do
not wish to be regarded as minor brothers, but as brothers with
full rights and privileges." So, too, it is said that the King
of Würtemberg left the Emperor's side in anger and withdrew from
the army manoeuvres in 1894. It will be plain to any one who
reads the Emperor's speeches that very few of them are made in
South Germany. Münich, Leipzig, and Stuttgart have been visited
by him less frequently than certain foreign capitals. This is due
in part, no doubt, to the fact that the reigning sovereigns of
these capitals do not wish to see a greater at their side. But it
is likewise true that in most of these districts the Emperor's
reception at the hands of the populace would be far less warm
than that accorded to him at Breslau and Berlin; for, if the
Emperor is warranted in expecting a particular loyalty from his
Prussians and Brandenburgers, so, too, are the hereditary rulers of
Bavaria, Saxony, and Würtemberg warranted in expecting a particular
recognition at home, which must necessarily be deducted from the
possible tribute which can be paid the Emperor, who is likewise a
rival King and King of a province which has not always enjoyed the
favorable consideration of South Germans.

It was on this day, May 30, five hundred years before that the
Burgrave Frederick VI of Hohenzollern, the later Elector Frederick
I, entered the fortified place of Brandenburg, on the Havel. In
commemoration of this fact, a fountain and an equestrian statue
of the Elector by Professor Manzel were dedicated. The church of
St. Catherine had likewise been restored and was rededicated on
this day. After the unveiling, the Emperor proceeded to the old
town hall, where he inscribed his name in the city's Golden Book,
and after he had accepted the drink of honor offered him by the
burgomaster, he delivered the following address: