"In the same way you look into the face of this young heir of the Hohenzollerns and remember the malignant tales which have been told of his inner nature by those who know him best. Apparently all the women—at least all the English women—who have had to do with the bringing up of Prince William hold him in horror and detestation. I have had numerous proofs of this, although I have never been able to fasten upon any specific reason for it. Their dislike for him is based on a general conception of his character. This view is that he is utterly cold, entirely selfish, wantonly cruel; a young man without conscience or compassion, or any softening virtues whatever. That he has great abilities they all admit, but they stop there. Heart he has none, upon their reckoning....
"It seems very probable that some future Taine a century hence, perhaps, will write to show that William II of Prussia was a mysterious belated survival of the ante-mediaeval Goths and Vandals,—an Attila born a thousand and more years after his time."
How many Americans are willing to trust themselves in the power of such a man?
1. THE GREAT BLUNDER OF GERMANY AND HER KAISER IN STARTING THE WAR.
By the light of the official documents of Austria, Servia, Germany, Russia, France and England, now open before us, it is an easy task to write the history of the beginning of the war in one paragraph. The most conclusive evidence of Germany's guilt is the official "German white book," dated "Foreign Office, August, 1914." It has convinced many a reader.
On July 25, 1914, Servia humbled herself to the dust at the feet of Austria, to appease her for the murder of her crown prince by a crazy and criminal fool; and little Servia conceded everything that giant Austria demanded, save a practical surrender of her national honor. Austria had fully made up her mind to destroy Servia, anyhow; and in that connection Germany and her Kaiser decided the event would serve well for starting the great war of conquest for which the Germans had long and lovingly been preparing. The Czar begged the Kaiser not to consent to the slaughter of little Servia by the Austrian big bully. The Kaiser replied that Austria should have a free hand. The Czar appealed to England and to France, to help him avert a war; and both those nations did their level best to avert hostilities. No plea that could postpone the clash of armies, or promote a peaceful settlement was omitted. The last telegram of Czar Nicholas to Kaiser Wilhelm (August 1) was a pathetic appeal for delay, and a chance "to negotiate for the welfare of our two countries and the universal peace which is so dear to our hearts. With the aid of God," said the Czar, "it must be possible to our long-tried friendship to prevent the shedding of blood." To this the Kaiser icily replied: "Although I asked for a reply by to-day noon [to his telegraphed ultimatum], no telegram from my Ambassador has reached me," and "I therefore have been forced to mobilize my army." Germany's many statements that France began hostilities with her are one and all totally false.
Now, here is a significant fact:
On July 14, 1917, in a speech before the Austrian Reichsrath former Minister Praschek (a Czech) cried out:
"Must we continue to sacrifice our interests for the expansion of Germany? Must we continue to submit to the German militarism that has drawn us into this war?"
Alas! At last the truth is out, officially and openly! We thought as much! Many men have believed that Germany shoved Austria into the war, because Germany was all ready for her great offense, and the murder at Sarajevo served as a convenient excuse. If Germany had not backed up Austria, and Russia had forbidden Austria to attack Servia, there would have been no war! But Germany hailed that murder as her heaven-sent opportunity to begin. It was to her "Der Tag"!