Back from Berlin, where he occupied for a time a chair at the University, under the existing arrangement for exchanges, Professor Peabody, of Harvard, is aiming to straighten the American conceptions of Germany. The Kaiser, he declares, is not a war-lord, but a man of peace, working in the interest of civilization—a peace-lord, so to speak.
Speaking to a German audience in New York a few weeks ago, Professor Peabody said:
There seems to be a general idea abroad that the German Emperor is constantly looking about for somebody to fight.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Germany, by virtue of the commercial expansion it now is working for, is pledged to maintain the peace of the world, so far as her own honor will allow.
The German Emperor, speaking at the opening of the Reichstag, said:
"I consider it the most sacred duty imposed upon me by an all-wise Providence to preserve peace."
The German Emperor has been misjudged as few characters have been in history when he has been described as a careless, heartless intriguer, always ready to strike a blow.
I do not think I am betraying any confidence if I repeat to you a phrase which fell from the lips of the emperor at the very last audience with which his imperial majesty honored me. I was about to return to America. The emperor was speaking not as a statesman or a diplomatist, but as an idealist discussing the ideals of his life. At parting he said:
"We must stand together."
What could we do better here to-night than to repeat that phrase? I bring to you the confident assurance that in anything you do here to-night to bring about the negotiation of a stable treaty of arbitration with your old country you will have with you the solid common sense of the American people.