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regards Germany； the main one being that he does not love
parliamentary government and has； at various times； infringed
upon the constitution of the empire。
As to loving parliamentary government； he would probably say that
he cannot regard a system as final which； while attaching to the
front of the chariot of progress a full team to pull it forward；
attaches another team to the rear to pull it backward。 But
whatever his theory； he has in practice done his best to promote
the efficiency of parliamentary government； and to increase
respect for it in his kingdom of Prussia； by naming as life
members of the Senate sundry men of the highest character and of
immense value in the discussion of the most important questions。
Two of these； appointed during my stay； I knew and admired。 The
first； Professor Gustav Schmoller； formerly rector of the
University of Berlin； is one of the leading economists of the
world； who has shown genius in studying and exhibiting the
practical needs of the German people； and in discerning the best
solutions of similar problems throughout the worldprofound；
eloquent； conciliatory； sure to be of immense value as a senator。
The second； Professor Slaby； director of the great technical
institution of Germany at Charlottenburg； is one of the leading
authorities of the world on everything that pertains to the
applications of electricity； a great administrator； a wise
counselor on questions pertaining to the German educational
system。 Neither of these men orates； but both are admirable
speakers； and are sure to be of incalculable value。 I name them
simply as types： others were appointed； equally distinguished in
other fields。 If； then； the Emperor is blamed for not liking
parliamentary and party government； it is only fair to say that
he has taken the surest way to give it strength and credit。
As to the alleged violations of the German constitution； the
same； in a far higher degree； were charged against Kaiser William
I and Bismarck；and these charges were true；but it is also
true that thereby those men saved and built up their country。 As
a matter of fact； the intuitive sense as well as the reflective
powers of Germans seem to show them that the real dangers to
their country come from a very different quarterfrom men who
promote hatreds of race； class； and religion within the empire；
and historic international hatreds without it。
So； too； various charges have been made against the Emperor as
regards the United States。 From time to time there came； during
my stay； statements in sundry American newspapers； some
belligerent； some lacrymose； regarding his attitude toward our
country。 It seemed to be taken for granted by many good people
during our Spanish War that the Emperor was personally against
us。 It is not unlikely that he may have felt sympathy for that
forlorn； widowed Queen Regent of Spain； making so desperate a
struggle to save the kingdom for her young son； if so； he but
shared a feeling common to a very large part of humanity； for
certainly there have been few more pathetic situations； but that
he really cared anything for the success of Spain is exceedingly
doubtful。 The Hohenzollern common sense in him must have been for
years vexed at the folly and fatuity of Spanish policy。 He
probably inherits the feeling of his father； who； when visiting
the late Spanish monarch some years before his death； showed a
most kindly personal feeling toward Spain and its ruler； and an
intense interest in various phases of art developed in the
Spanish peninsula； but； in his diary； let fall remarks which show
his feeling toward the whole existing Spanish system。 One of
these I recall especially。 Passing a noted Spanish town； he
remarks： 〃Here are ten churches； twenty monasteries； and not a
single school。〃 No Hohenzollern is likely to waste much sympathy
on a nation which brings on its fate by preferring monasticism to
education； and never during the Spanish War did he or his
government； to my knowledge； show the slightest leaning toward
our enemies。 Certain it is that when sundry hysterical publicists
and meddlesome statesmen of the Continent proposed measures
against what they thought the dangerous encroachments of our
Republic； he quietly； but resolutely and effectually； put his
foot upon them。
Another complaint sometimes heard in America really amounts to
this： that the Emperor is pushing German interests in all parts
of the world； and is not giving himself much trouble about the
interests of other countries。 There is truth in this； but the
complainants evidently never stop to consider that every thinking
man in every nation would despise him were it otherwise。
Yet another grievance； a little time since； was that； apparently
with his approval； his ships of war handled sundry Venezuelans
with decided roughness。 This was true enough and ought to warm
every honest man's heart。
The main facts in the case were these： a petty equatorial
〃republic；〃 after a long series of revolutions；one hundred and
four in seventy years； Lord Lansdowne tells us； was enjoying
peace and the beginnings of prosperity。 Thanks to the United
States； it had received from an international tribunal the
territory to which it was entitled； was free from disturbance at
home or annoyance abroad； and was under a regular government
sanctioned by its people。 Suddenly； an individual started another
so…called 〃revolution。〃 He was the champion of no reform；
principle； or idea； he simply represented the greed of himself
and a pack of confederates whose ideal was that of a gang of
burglars。 With their aid he killed； plundered； or terrorized
until he got control of the governmentor； rather； became
himself the government。 Under the name of a 〃republic〃 he erected
a despotism and usurped powers such as no Russian autocrat would
dare claim。 Like the men of his sort who so often afflict
republics in the equatorial regions of South America； he had no
hesitation in confiscating the property and taking the lives； not
only of such of his fellow…citizens as he thought dangerous to
himself； but also of those whom he thought likely to become so。
He made the public treasury his own； and doubtless prepared the
way； as so many other patriots of his sort in such 〃republics〃
have done； for retirement into a palace at Paris； with ample
funds for enjoying the pleasures of that capital； after he； like
so many others； shall have been； in turn； kicked out of his
country by some new bandit stronger than he。
So far so good。 If the citizens of Venezuela like or permit that
sort of thing； outside nations have no call to interfere； but
this petty despot； having robbed； maltreated； and even murdered
citizens of his own country； proceeded to maltreat and rob
citizens of other countries and； among them； those of the German
Empire。 He was at first asked in diplomatic fashion to desist and
to make amends； but for such appeals he simply showed contempt。
His purpose was evidently to plunder all German subjects within
his reach； and to cheat all German creditors beyond his reach。 At
this the German Government； as every government in similar
circumstances is bound to do； demanded redress and sent ships to
enforce the demand。 This was perfectly legitimate； but
immediately there arose in the United States an outcry against a
〃violation of the Monroe Doctrine。〃 As a matter of fact； the
Monroe Doctrine was no more concerned in