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surprise at the efficiency of his inspections of troops； of his
discrimination between things essential and not essential； and of
his insight into current military questions。 Even more striking
testimony was given to me by our naval attaches as to his minute
knowledge not only of his own navy； but of the navies of other
powers； and especially as to the capabilities of various classes
of ships and； indeed； of individual vessels。 One thoroughly
capable of judging told me that he doubted whether there was any
admiral in our service who knew more about every American ship of
any importance than does the Kaiser。 It has been said that his
devotion to the German navy is a whim。 That view can hardly
command respect among those who have noted his labor for years
upon its development； and his utterances regarding its connection
with the future of his empire。 As a simple matter of fact； he
recognizes the triumphs of German commercial enterprises； and
sees in them a guarantee for the extension of German power and
for a glory more permanent than any likely to be obtained by
military operations in these times。 When any candid American
studies what has been done； or； rather； what has NOT been done；
in his own country； with its immense seacoast and its many
harbors on two oceans； to build up a great merchant navy； and
compares it with what has been accomplished during the last fifty
years by the steady； earnest； honest enterprise of Germany； with
merely its little strip of coast on a northern inland sea； and
with only the Hanseatic ports as a basis； he may well have
searchings of heart。 The 〃Shipping Trust〃 seems to be the main
outcome of our activity； and lines of the finest steamers running
to all parts of the world the outcome of theirs。 There is a
history here which we may well ponder； the young Emperor has not
only thought but acted upon it。
As to yet broader work； the crucial test of a ruler is his
ability to select MEN； to stand by them when he has selected
them； and to decide wisely how far the plans which he has thought
out； and they have thought out； can be fused into a policy worthy
of his country。 Judged by this test； the young monarch would seem
worthy of his position； the men he has called to the various
ministries are remarkably fit for their places； several of them
showing very high capacity； and some of them genius。
As to his relation to the legislative bodies； it is sometimes
claimed that he has lost much by his too early and open
proclamation of his decisions； intentions； and wishes； and it can
hardly be denied that something must be pardoned to the ardor of
his patriotic desire to develop the empire in all its activities；
but； after all due allowance has been made； there remains
undeniable evidence of his statesmanlike ability to impress his
views upon the national and state legislatures。 A leading member
of one of the parliamentary groups； very frequently in opposition
to government measures； said to me： 〃After all； it is impossible
for us to resist him； he knows Germany so well； and his heart is
so thoroughly in his proposals； that he is sure to gain his
points sooner or later。〃
An essential element of strength in this respect is his
acquaintance with men and things in every part of his empire。
Evidences of this were frequent in his public letters and
telegrams to cities； towns； groups； and individuals。 Nor was it
〃meddling and muddling。〃 If any fine thing was done in any part
of the empire； he seemed the first to take notice of it。 Typical
of his breadth of view were the cases of various ship captains
and others who showed heroism in remote parts of the world； his
telegram of hearty approval being usually the first thing they
received on coming within reach of it； and substantial evidence
of his gratitude meeting them later。
On the other hand； as to his faculty for minute observation and
prompt action upon it： a captain of one of the great liners
between Hamburg and New York told me that when his ship was ready
to sail the Emperor came on board； looked it over； and after
approving various arrangements said dryly； 〃Captain； I should
think you were too old a sailor to let people give square corners
to your tables。〃 The captain quietly acted upon this hint； and
when； many months later； the Kaiser revisited the ship； he said；
〃Well； captain； I am glad to see that you have rounded the
corners of your tables。〃
He is certainly a working man。 The record of each of his days at
Berlin or Potsdam； as given in the press； shows that every hour；
from dawn to long after dusk； brings its dutiesduties demanding
wide observation； close study； concentration of thought； and
decision。 Nor is his attention bounded by German interests。 He is
a keen student of the world at large。 At various interviews there
was ample evidence of his close observation of the present
President of the United States； and of appreciation of his doings
and qualities； so； too； when the struggle for decent government
in New York was going on； he showed an intelligent interest in
Mr。 Seth Low； and in various other American matters there was
recognition of the value of any important stroke of good work
done by our countrymen。
As to his view of international questions； two of the
opportunities above referred to especially occur to me here。
The first of these was during the troubles in Crete between the
Greeks and the Turks。 As I talked one evening with one of my
colleagues who represented a power especially interested in the
matter； the Emperor came up and at once entered into the
discussion。 He stated the position of various powers in relation
to it； and suggested a line of conduct。 There was straightforward
good sense in his whole contention； a refreshing absence of
conventionalities； and a very clear insight into the realities of
the question； with a shrewd forecast of the result。 More
interesting to me was another conversation； in the spring of
1899。 As the time drew near for the sessions of the Peace
Conference at The Hague； I was making preparations for leaving
Berlin to take up my duty in that body； when one morning there
appeared at the embassy a special messenger from the Emperor
requesting me to come to the palace。 My reception was hearty； and
he plunged at once into the general subject by remarking； 〃What
the conference will most need is good common sense； and I have
sent Count Munster； my ambassador at Paris； because he has lots
of it。〃 With this preface； he went very fully into the questions
likely to come before the conference； speaking regarding the
attitude of the United States and the various powers of Europe
and Asia with a frankness； fullness； and pungency which at times
rather startled me。 On the relations between the United States；
Germany； and Great Britain he was especially full。 Very
suggestive also were his remarks regarding questions in the far
East； and especially on the part likely to be played by Japan and
Chinathe interests of various powers in these questions being
presented in various aspects； some of them decidedly original and
suggestive。 While there were points on which we could hardly
agree； there were some suggestions which proved to be of especial
value； and to one of them is due the fact that on most questions
the German delegates at The Hague stood by the Americans； and
that on the most important question of all they finally； after a
wide divergence from