New York Times 100 years ago today, June 8, 1913:
"The Civilized World This Day Bows Reverently Before You," Writes the American Peace Advocate, in Congratulating the Emperor on the Occasion of His Jubilee Celebration.By Andrew Carnegie.
The writer is highly honored by the request of The Times to contribute an article upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of the German Emperor.
My acquaintance with his Imperial Majesty came about in this way, which is mentioned as revealing a leading characteristic of this extraordinary man, his indefatigable efforts to keep abreast of the developments of the age in all parts of the world — nothing important seems to escape him.
My first address to the students of Saint Andrews University, Scotland, as Lord Rector in 1902 dealt with the position of our Republic, to-day a nation of forty-eight States, with a population fast approaching 100,000,000, contrasted with divided Europe composed of many small nationalities — a camp armed against itself. It was held that the inevitable result of this contrast must be the material triumph of the greater mass with its uniform patterns, standards, and enormous home market. The "doctrine of the surplus" was announced and the claim made that a great home free market was bound to give the possessor industrial supremacy, which has been already proved in the manufacture of steel and pig iron, of which our country now manufactures more than all the rest of the world combined. In the writer's time it did not make a ton of steel nor a plate of glass.
The Emperor had realized Europe's condition in 1907. He said to the French Attache, "Europe is too small to be divided," and in 1908 he said that "he was interested in the scheme of a Federation of Europe which would put an end to the enormous waste of military expenditure and custom duties." He "would lend his hand to any plan that can help to promote the cause of peace."
One day Herr Ballin called upon the writer in New York and presented from the Emperor a copy of an address he had made, and conveying an invitation to visit him, since he had read and been interested in the Rectorial Address, showing how alert he is and up to date upon all subjects. His selection of Herr Ballin, one of the foremost of Germany's masterful steamship potentates, is proof of this. The Emperor himself ranks high in knowledge pertaining to this organization. Of course the writer visited the Emperor and never enjoyed a visit more. He found him a remarkable man indeed, alert, earnest, affable, a man with a mission which he labors earnestly to fulfil, a born ruler of men.
The Emperor, William II., born 27th July, 1859, ascended the throne upon the death of his father, Frederick III., June 15, 1888, twenty-five years ago. A stormy period for some years had preceded his death, after a few months' reign. The masses and the classes had clashed under his predecessor, and although the Emperor Frederick never lost the friendship of the people, his Ministers and their measures were alike detested. Notwithstanding this, he gave notable evidence of advanced ideas and strong desire to improve the conditions of his people, assuring them that whatever religion they might belong to they were all equally near his heart. The son may well revere his father's memory, whose liberal sentiments he inherits.
The German Princes of the whole empire gathered around the young Emperor when he opened the Reichstag, declaring for the first time that the King of Prussia was also the Emperor of Germany. The German Empire was at last a solid, indestructible fabric, the Emperor declared himself to be the first servant of the State determined to connect the future with the best and greatest traditions of the Hohenzollern.
He later published two proclamations — one declaring his intention as Emperor to improve the conditions of the working classes by calling an international congress to consider the subject. He considered it to be the duty of the State to regulate the hours and conditions of labor, and proposed that a Council of State be held. The improved conditions of the laborers of Germany to-day, with their old-age pensions and life insurance, which Germany was first to establish and which Britain has recently adopted, furnish conclusive evidence that the Emperor has made good; indeed, it may justly be said, that he has been the moving force, not only in reforming but in transforming the German Empire and thus benefiting the civilized world. His hand is seen in every progressive movement as a reforming, transforming man of the people — in this he stands unique among hereditary rulers.
No greater contrast can be presented than that between the constitutional King of Britain and the Emperor of Germany. The Emperor's career confirms this. Britain holds that the King can do no wrong, which prevents him doing anything political, since all mortals are liable to err. He is sworn to obey his Ministers who represent from time to time the majority of the House of Commons, for the House of Lords being composed of hereditary legislators, and hence prone to err, has no voice in the matter.
What Germans Expect.
Germany expects her present hereditary Emperor to take the initiative and play the leading part in every movement forward, hence everything depends upon the kind of Emperor that heredity happens to produce. It is not the Emperor but the man who overshadows the official and leads the masses upward to better conditions. The secret of his triumph lies in the man behind the title.
Before ascending the throne, as the young Prince Imperial he had given decided indications at intervals that he had a mind of his own, was, in short, his mother's son, who was British born. Princess Victoria, a lady of parts, literary, widely informed and wise. The real ruler of Germany under the old regime preceding the present Emperor's ascendancy was that extraordinary man, Bismarck, who retained his love for the old but derided the new ideas. New conditions require new men, and as a young and progressive disciple the young Prince and future Emperor was a convert to the new ideas which Bismarck feared.
In a proclamation, as we have seen, he held that the regulation of the time and conditions of labor was the duty of the State and that the Council of State would be summoned to discuss this and kindred questions, which Bismarck strongly opposed. Soon after this his Majesty required that the order should be canceled which gave only one Cabinet Minister, the President, Bismarck, sole right of communication with the Emperor. To this Bismarck demurred and was dismissed, to the wonder of the world.
Never did a cartoon in Punch create such surprise as that of "Dropping the Pilot" — a warship with the young Emperor leaning over the gangway waving adieu to the great Minister in the small boat below, a daring step indeed for a young, untrained monarch to take. The nations were deeply imprest by the boldness of the young captain in whom all were hereafter compelled to take interest and wish success. Here was a man at the helm of state, the young, who had at least the one indispensable ingredient for success — faith in himself. Some men fall even with this quality — none succeed without it.
Bismarck having left, the young captain of the ship was free to steer his own career, and well has he navigated the ship of state. Germany has been transformed. She now ranks next to our own Republic in unparalleled development. She has already about one-third more population than Britain and leads her in steel production, ranking next to our Republic.
The Emperor makes repeated visits to the great manufacturing concerns and takes personal interest in all improvements, especially in those in which Germany leads or is aiming to lead, the world. He visits the chief cities of his empire, discovers their wants, and studies how these can best be met, and thus becomes a kind of general superintendent over all — wise enough to know that he does not know what measures to urge, but possessed of the rarer wisdom which enables him to know the men who do know what changes are both desirable and practicable.
In the development of German material progress it is not which branches the Emperor has labored assiduously to advance, but what single branch he has overlooked — it would be difficult to find one. He soon became deeply interested in the sea as in the land — visits to his grandmother, Queen of Britain, of whom he was fond as she was of him, enabled him to attend Britain's impressive naval reviews. He was soon reported as saying that Germany must begin to develop her navy and steamship lines. This is probable, since we see the result — Germany has made good her ability "to go down to the sea in ships."
Her steamship commercial lines to America compare with the best of those of Britain, and have the advantage of calling at three ports out and home bound, discharging or receiving passengers and cargo, Britain thus contributing to the Germans' success! Certainly the Germans have proved capable sailors and have deserved their triumph. The German Navy ranks next to that of Britain. Would that these two Teutonic nations behaved as sister nations should, and have done with their insensate naval rivalry.
The Emperor has not omitted the important field of agricultural development, and as landlord, testing new ideas, he seems imbued with the ambitions of our late Secretary of Agriculture, Wilson, whose tenure as Cabinet officer beats the record. He recently addressed the German Agricultural Council, declaring:
"After my experience it is beyond all doubt that the German farmers are able to supply Germany's entire food, more particularly bread, meat, and potatoes, not only now but when we have an increased population in the future.
A Successful Farmer.
"On my estate at Kadinen I have increased the arable land from 503 acres in 1907 to 632 acres. In addition to that, I have reclaimed 306 acres of meadow land which had produced practically nothing, but which yielded 225 tons of hay in 1910, besides pasturing 120 cattle and 90 horses. I intend to continue these experiments on an outlying tract of land."
Then the Emperor told about his introducing a variety of rye hitherto unknown in East Prussia, adding:
"The neighboring farmers, whose rye had been badly treated, saw with astonishment my rye standing with ears erect like the lances of my Uhlans. When in the Autumn the grain was harvested the farmers crowded around my barns and fairly cudgeled each other to get seed. I did excellent business with that rye. Before the reclamation was undertaken this land produced from 600 to 700 loads, but afterward it yielded from 1,300 to 1,400."
Then mentioning his experiments in crossing zebu with German cattle, he asserted that the crossbreds are remarkably strong oxen and that a number of the older bulls have been purchased from him for introduction into the colonies. He hoped to develop a faster breed of oxen, "which will get home the harvest wagons in quicker time than the kinds now used."
Secretary Wilson states in his last report that the value of last year's farm crops in our own country amounted to the amazing sum of nine and a half billions of dollars, and will increase as required, our population being now about ninety-five millions It is stated that we have still about a hundred millions of acres to drain and about the same amount to irrigate, the former only needing surplus water to be drained off, the latter only a supply of water — both wants can be easily met. suitable for experimentation. No less than seventy-odd imported specimens are now under trial. Already success has been attained in several of these ventures. The development of sugar from beets in the Northern States and of rice in the South — figs from Smyrna and dates from the Libyan desert. Grasses from Abyssinia, alfalfas from Siberia and Turkestan, grains from Asia Minor and Northern Africa. Egyptian cotton is now successfully grown in California, and it is claimed will soon meet demands now supplied from the valley of the Nile.
Our Secretary of Agriculture and the Emperor could meet and confer to their mutual advantage as enthusiastic agricultrists "making two blades of grass grow where one grew before," sure proof of service rendered to man.
There are records of German progress in departments even more important than these quoted.
When we of the English-speaking race wish to strengthen our cherished belief in our superiority and congratulate ourselves that we are not as others are, we generally refer to the fact that in our race alone is the folly or crime of duelling laughed out of court as silly, positively below contempt. One gratifying fact is not so well known as it should be — the lessening average number per year in Germany of these absurd and sinful meetings.
When the Emperor ascended the throne the number averaged 1,200, in recent years only 12 — one year only 9. The national (Lutheran) church does not permit burial to one killed in a duel. The Emperor has for years shown his people that he deplores the custom. By his command a court of honor must first decide whether a duel be necessary. Rules now mitigate the danger of fatal results. Most encounters are in the army or navy — rare indeed are they outside.
Upon several occasions addressing crack regiments he has emphasized his desire "that duelling should not be resorted to except where one officer has been rendered infamous by another." The idea that any man can dishonor another man, however, is a mistaken one. No man ever did or ever can. All honor's wounds are self-inflicted — but this the uncivilized duellist still falls to understand in Germany. Under the Emperor's humane and religious guidance, however, the duel is soon to pass away and Germany stand as her other sister Teutonic nations, Britain and America do, free from the sinful barbaric practice.
As I write The New York Times April 15, 1913, has the following:
"Emperor William is ernestly endeavouring to reduce the number of duels fought by German army officers, according to an announcement made to the Committee of the Imperial Parliament to-day by Gen. von Heeringen. Minister for War.
Warning to Duelists.
"His Majesty, said the Minister, admonished the commanding Generals at his New Year's reception to give their attention to the matter. The Emperor followed this up with a rescript to the army, calling attention to the number of duels caused by insults on the part of officers to their comrades or to civilians.
"This, said the Minister, was in the nature of a warning to the officers to strive against such practices. The Kaiser's rescript concluded: Self-control and restraint must be cultivated as manly virtues.'"
One notable proof of the early abolition of the crime in Germany is the recent demand of the Reichstag that the duel be considered unlawful, as in other Teutonic lands.
So much for petty individual war. What about international war, which is to the duel as the mountain to the grain of sand? Is the Emperor or our President to be world conqueror here? The latter is not behind the Emperor in devotion to the cause of peace. He has publicly stated (March 23, 1911): "Of course I am In favor of the arbitration treaty, [President Taft's.] I am in favor of every treaty which puts international peace upon the basis of reason and accommodation." He has not failed to impress this fact upon occasion. No one doubts his devotion to the cause.
His Secretary of State, broadened by world-wide travel, has seen a great light, the coming brotherhood of man. His latest words addressed to the recent banqueters in Washington favorable to increased armament, were: "While you are working for more battleships, I shall work hard during the next four years to prevent the need of battleships."
The Emperor's strong distaste for intemperance is another proof of his wisdom. None presses home more strongly or oftener to his people the vital truth that intemperance is the rock upon which more promising young men are wrecked than any other, or as one who has had much to do with young men may venture to say, than all other rocks combined.
Once the Emperor went so far and was so vehement upon this danger that he had to explain later that he did not mean to advocate total abstinence; he admitted that after long hours of storm and stress a glass of grog to outworn seamen or soldiers might be considered as medicinal. Strong as the writer's own views are upon the subject from the wrecks he has seen of young men upon this fatal rock, he concedes this with the Emperor.
There is no one habit that mars but never improves, so many otherwise promising lives as intemperance, the usual fruit of only tasting at first. Total abstinence alone gives security.
His Personal Example.
Beyond the Emperor's earnest convictions regarding sobriety we have the most telling of all supports in his own personal abstemious habits. Example is indeed better than precept. We cannot over-rate the value of his unwearied efforts to banish duelling and drunkenness from his empire. These are twin demons worthy of an Emperor's crusade. It is at the fireside home, not upon the throne, however, that rulers can be truly judged. "There is a divinity which doth hedge a King," says Shakespeare, and this hedge often obscures the man. Not so with the Emperor. One of the main sources of his power with his people lies in the fact that they know him thru and thru at home with his wife, children, and children's children, living moral, refined, and abstemious lives.
The home life is the highest, purest test. The man or woman who stands this may safely be trusted abroad. There is solid truth in this gem from Burns:
"To make a happy fire-side clime
For weans and wife.
That's the true pathos and sublime
Of human life."
The Emperor and Empress stand that test, and all is well "Heaven our home" may betimes wisely be transposed "Home our heaven." Happy beyond measure are those who experience this truth.
Great and untiring as have been the Emperor's labors in all departments, steadily improving the conditions of his people, his reign culminates in the rôle of Peace Preserver, the foremost Apostle of Peace among hereditary rulers of men.
A volume has recently been issued by Mr. Fried, the well-known advocate of international peace who has recently received the Nobel Prize. In his book he dwells much upon the power and the duty of Germany to lead in the campaign for a union of nations pledged to settle their differences by arbitration. We quote:
"In later years Carnegie was the man who most clearly and pressingly drew the world's attention to the German Emperor and alluded to him as the saviour of the civilized world. In his speech at the New York Congress of 1907, to which we have already referred, he stated that the formation of a Peace League seemed no longer a dream. All that was needed was a strong man. 'Perhaps President Roosevelt will fill the rôle. By his nature, by his past, he would be most fitted for it.' 'At the present moment, however,' continued Carnegie, 'the power to end war does not appear to be in his hands, but in those of the German Emperor. An appeal from him to form a federation for that purpose would induce more than six nations to join gladly. And as happened with the league in China, so would it be more than just in this great league a German General should be the leader.
"Much has been written, much has been said about the German Emperor. It has been stated (I consider unjustly,) that he threatened the world's peace. But remember that he has now been nearly twenty years upon the throne without being responsible for bloodshed. His sin may have been a sin of omission, since he has failed to fulfil his mission — the abolition of war. Do not let us turn our eyes away from this man of destiny, and let us hope that his true mission will be revealed to him. No man has yet received a mission so lofty. If his true vocation were clearly revealed to him I for my part do not believe that any mortal can refuse this godly mission of rendering such a glorious service to humanity. No victory is so great as that of peace. The day has passed when the dealing of death and destruction was looked upon as a deed of heroism.
"A year later the Interparliamentary Conference was held in Berlin. This was in itself a great event, since it was the first occasion in its twenty years' existence on which this great meeting for the promotion of peace had taken place on German soil. At this Conference the American delegate, Bartholdt, read in the Reichstag on Sept. 18, (where the meeting was held,) a letter from Carnegie, running as follows:
"'If I were in Berlin and could speak, all my thoughts would naturally be concentrated on one subject. It seems to me that it should be easy to abolish war between civilized nations as a means of settling international disputes. In Berlin there exists one man who has only to say the word.
If only the Emperor of Germany would fulfil that task, every one would follow. He has it in his power to abolish war between civilized nations.
"'He only needs to call together Britain, France, and the United States to join him in declaring that since the world has become one great organism, and since each part of that organism depends upon the others — the world's trade amounting to thousands of millions yearly — the day has passed when one civilized nation can be permitted to break that peace which is so near to the hearts of all. International disputes must be settled by Courts of Arbitration. Not one of the nations I have mentioned would refuse such an invitation, and the Emperor would have rendered to the world a service such as no man has ever rendered before.'
The Kaiser's Future Rôle.
"This view of Carnegie's is to-day that of countless millions in every corner of the globe. A large portion of humanity now believes in the mission of the Emperor for the re-establishment of European and universal order. This belief is in itself a striking sign of the times, and it would not exist if the ardent longing of humanity were not for a change in international relations. It could not have set in if the Emperor had not himself gained the confidence of humanity. He could not have gained that confidence if he believed so little in the idea as the Pan-German press would have us believe. Kaiser Wilhelm is convinced of the necessity of a united Europe. He is considering it. Perhaps some day he will answer the call of the American whom he admires so much. Perhaps he will fulfil the hopes of countless millions." So much for the Nobel prize winner.
It is quite true that the writer's hopes then centered in the Emperor, but President Taft's seemingly prophetic vision, which secured the adhesion of France and Britain to a treaty substituting, arbitration for force as a means of settling all international disputes hereafter arising, appeared then to be certain of adoption, and our President would then have become immortal. Our happy land, twenty-five years ago, the year the Emperor ascended the throne, assumed the rôle of world leader in the crusade against war by substituting peaceful arbitration.
The following resolution was introduced in the First Session, Fiftieth Congress, June 14, 1888.
"Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring) that the President be and is hereby requested to invite, from time to time, as fit occasions may arise, negotiations with any Government with which the United States has or may have diplomatic relations, to the end that any differences or disputes arising between the two Governments which cannot be adjusted by diplomatic agency may be referred to arbitration and be peaceably adjusted by such means."
Resolution not reached on calendar during session, but reintroduced and passed Senate, Feb. 14, 1890. Passed House, April 3, 1890.
This resolution was presented to the British Parliament, which adopted a resolution, approving the action of the Congress of the United States and expressing the hope that her Majesty's Government would lend their ready co-operation to the Government of the United States for the accomplishment of the object in view.
Here we have the initial movement which resulted in the first International Hague Conference 1899, the second Hague Conference of 1907, eighty treaties of obligatory arbitration between the great nations of the world, our own country being a party to twenty-three of these. We should fall in our duty were we to abandon Washington's position, who declared his first wish is that war be banished, from the earth. Upon our Republic may yet fall the glorious rôle of the world peace maker if we do our duty.
His Message to Roosevelt.
That international peace will come before long through arbitration the writer is certain, for as long as men kill each other as a means of settling their disputes our race remains barbaric. Peace was within President Taft's grasp but yesterday, and may be his successor's or the Emperor's noble task to-morrow. Of one fact we may be certain, the ruler who abolishes war and establishes international peace can have no compeer. For all time he stands alone in his glory, foremost benefactor of man. The American people have not forgotten the Emperor's message to President Roosevelt of November, 1904:
"The arbitration treaty which we are both about to sign will be a new and powerful instrument in uniting America and Germany in friendly relationship for the benefit of civilization and may help to promote the feelings of mutual esteem and comradeship of two great nations and prove of lasting advantage in securing their peaceful development."
In 1908 his greeting to the parliamentarians of all civilized nations assembled in his capital struck a chord which still vibrates. He hopes "that the gathering attended by so many distinguished men from all parts of the world will find itself at home in my capital and will strive for the maintenance of the blessings of universal peace which I have so deeply at heart." These are wise words, but deeds speak louder. The Emperor has made no less than eight treaties, three of these the result of decisions of The Hague Tribunal.
He has reigned twenty-five years, never has he shed one drop of human blood. His hands are unstained. All this time Germany has enjoyed the reign of peace, hence its progress unequalled in Europe in population and wealth as in the moral advancement and improved conditions of the masses of his people, for it is peace alone which ensures happiness and prosperity.
The Emperor has never failed to assert his resolve to maintain peace. In 1895, opening the Kiel Canal, he declared "the eyes of the whole world are lifted questioningly towards us. They sue for peace; only in peace can the world be developed, in peace only can it prosper. We desire to maintain peace, and will do so." He has said, "I lend my hand to any plan that can help to promote the great cause of peace," and so he has regarded and preserved it.
Let us Americans add our grateful thanks for the desire expressed thru his Ambassador in Washington for a treaty with our Republic when Britain and France signed the treaty which would have brought world peace in due time. The day is not far distant when a President of the United States will be in position to reopen that question, guarding against the mistakes formerly made. The writer does not hesitate to predict success.
What has the Emperor not done, is the question, and here the world owes him the greatest tribute of all. No other ruler in the world has earned and deserved the credit which is his, whose reign is unique. For twenty-five years he has reigned in unbroken peace over the most powerful military nation of the world surrounded by neighboring less powerful nations. Never has he drawn sword or threatened to draw it; on the contrary, he has labored always to preserve the peace and has triumphed. He has told us "his duty was to promote peace and place it upon a firm footing," and has also declared that "the peace of my country is with me a sacred matter." This coming from an Emperor who is above all a religious devotee means much. It comes from the heart, and hence reaches the hearts of others.
The civilized world this day bows reverently before you, Peace preserving Emperor of Germany, and offers its thanks and congratulations. We are all your admiring loving debtors. May it be your favored lot long to be spared and pass in venerable old age into the dim beyond revered of all men, your hands still unstained.
[Carnegie's peculiar spelling, as originally depicted in The Times, has been normalized by WWI Diary]
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