Itmaybesafelysaidthat，atanygivenmoment，heknowsdirectly，orwillshortlyknow，thepersonandworkofeverymaninhisempirewhoisreallytakingtheleadinanythingworthyofspecialstudyorcloseattention。TheGermancourtisconsideredveryexclusive，butoneconstantlysawatitsassemblagesmennotedinworthyfieldsfromeverypartofGermanyand，indeed，ofEurope。HereinisagreatdifferencebetweentheGermanandRussiancourts。If，duringmyofficiallifeatSt。Petersburg，I
　　wishedtomaketheacquaintanceofamannotedinscience，literature，orart，hemustbefoundatprofessorialgatheringsacrosstheNeva。Herarely，ifever，appearedinthethrongofmilitaryandcivilofficialsattheWinterPalace。ButatBerlinsuchmentookanhonoredplaceatthecourtamongthosewhomtherulersoughtoutandwasgladtoconversewith。
　　Astotheworldoutsidetheempire，Idoubtwhetheranyothersovereignequalshiminpersonalacquaintancewithleadersineveryfieldofworthyactivity。Itwasinterestingfromtimetotimetolookovertheofficiallistsofhisguestsatbreakfast，orluncheon，ordinner，orsupper，oratmilitaryexercises，oratthetheater;fortheyusuallyembracedmennotedincivil，ecclesiastical，ormilitaryaffairs，inliterature，science，art，commerce，orindustryfromeverynation。Oneclasswasconspicuousbyitsabsenceatallsuchgatherings，largeorsmall;namely，theMERELYrich。Richmentherewere，buttheywerealwaysmenwhohaddonesomethingofmarkedvaluetotheircountryortomankind;forthemere"fattytumors"ofthefinancialworldheevidentlycarednothing。
　　AspecialcharacteristicintheGermanrulerisindependenceofthought。Thisqualityshouldnotbeconfounded，asitoftenis，withmereoffhanddecisionbaseduponprejudicesorwhimsies。Oneexample，whichIhavegivenelsewhere，maybeherereferredtoasshowingthathisrapidjudgmentsarebaseduponclearinsight:
　　hisOWNinsight，andnotthatofothers。OnmygivinghimnewsofthedestructionoftheMaineatHavana，heatonceaskedmewhethertheexplosionwasfromtheoutside;andfromfirsttolast，againsttheopinionsofhisadmiralsandcaptains，insistedthatitmusthavebeenso。
　　Heiscertainly，intheopinionofallwhoknowhim，impulsive——indeed，averylargeproportionofhisactswhichstriketheattentionoftheworldseemtheresultofimpulse;
　　but，asarule，itwillbefoundthatbeneaththeseimpulsesisacalmjudgment。Evenwhenthisseemsnottobethecase，theyarelikelytoappealallthemorestronglytohumanityatlarge。
　　TypicalwashisimpulsiveproposaltomakeuptotheRegentofBavariatheartappropriationdeniedbysundryunpatrioticbigots。Itsimmediateresultwasatemporarytriumphforthecommonenemy，butitcertainlydrewtotheEmperortheheartsofanimmensenumberofpeople，notonlyinside，butoutsidehisempire;and，inthelongrun，itwilldoubtlessbefoundtohavewroughtpowerfullyforrightreason。Asanexampleofanutteranceofhiswhichtomanymightseemtobetheresultofamomentaryimpulse，butwhichrevealssobercontemplationofproblemsloominglargebeforetheUnitedStatesaswellasGermany，ImightcitearemarkmadelastyeartoanAmericaneminentinpublicaffairs。Hesaid，"YouinAmericamaydowhatyouplease，butIwillnotsuffercapitalistsinGermanytosuckthelifeoutoftheworkingmenandthenflingthemlikesqueezedlemon—skinsintothegutter。"
　　Anyonewhorunsthroughtheprintedvolumeofhisspeecheswillseethatheisfertileinideasonmanysubjects，andknowshowtoimpressthemuponhisaudiences。Hisvoiceandmanneraregood，andattimesthereareevidencesofdeepfeeling，showingthemanbeneaththegarbofthesovereign。Thiswasespeciallythecaseinhisspeechatthecomingofageofhisson。Theaudiencewasnoteworthy，therebeingpresenttheAustrianEmperor，membersofallthegreatrulinghousesofEuropetheforemostmenincontemporaryGermanhistory，andthediplomaticrepresentativesofforeignpowers——anaudiencerepresentingwidedifferencesinpointsofviewandinlinesofthought，yetnooneofthemcouldfailtobeimpressedbysundryreferencestothesignificanceoftheoccasion。
　　EventhemostrapidsketchoftheEmperorwouldbeinadequatewithoutsomereferencetohisreligiousviews。ItiscurioustonotethatwhileFredericktheGreatisoneofthegodsofhisidolatry，thetwomonarchsareseparatedbyawholeorbofthoughtintheirreligioustheoriesandfeelings。Whileaphilosophicalobservermayseeinthistheresultofcarefultraininginviewoftheevidentinterestsofthemonarchyinthesedays，hemustnonethelessacknowledgetherealityanddepthofthosefeelingsinthepresentsovereign。Noonewhohasobservedhisconductandutterances，andespeciallynoonewhohasreadhissermonandprayeronthedeckofoneofhiswar—shipsjustatthebeginningoftheChinesewar，candoubtthatthereisinhisthinkingagenuinesubstratumofreligiousfeeling。ItistruethatattimesoneisremindedoftheremarkmadetoanAmericanecclesiasticbyaneminentGermantheologicalprofessorregardingthattougholdmonarch，FrederickWilliamI;
　　namely，thatwhilehewasdeeplyreligious，hisreligionwas"ofanOldTestamenttype。"Ofcourse，thereligionofthepresentEmperorisofatypevastlyhigherthanthatofhisancestor，whoseharshnesstotheyouthwhoafterwardbecamethegreatFrederickhasbeendepictedinthe"Memoirs"oftheMargravineofBayreuth;butthereremainsclearlyinthereligionofthepresentEmperoracertain"OldTestament"character——afeelingofdirectrelianceupontheAlmighty，aconsciousnessofhisownpartinguidingachosenpeople，andareadiness，ifneedbe，tosmitethePhilistines。Onephaseofthisfeelingappearsinthemusicatthegreatanniversaries，whentheleadingmenoftheempirearebroughttogetherbeneaththedomeofthePalaceChurch。Theanthemsexecutedbythebandsandchoirs，andthegreatchoralssungbythecongregation，breatheanythingbutthespiritoftheSermonontheMount;theyseemrathertoechothegrimoldbattle—hymnsoftheThirtyYears’WarandthewarintheNetherlands。
　　Andyetitmustbesaidthattheregoeswiththisaremarkablefeelingofjusticetohissubjectsofotherconfessionsthanhisown，andastillmoreremarkablebreadthofviewasregardstherelationsofmodernsciencetowhatisgenerallyheldasorthodoxtheology。ThefearlessnesswithwhichherecentlysummonedProfessorDelitzschtounfoldtohimandtohisfamilyandcourtthenewlyrevealedrelationsofAssyrianresearchtobiblicalstudy，whichgavesuchalarminhighlyorthodoxcircles，andhisfairnessinestimatingtheseresearches，certainlyrevealedbreadthofmindaswellastrustinwhatheconsideredthefundamentalveritiesofreligion。
　　Agoodexampleofthecuriousunion，inhismind，ofreligiousfeeling，tolerance，andshrewdpolicyisshowninvariousdealingswithhisRomanCatholicsubjects。
　　OfcourseheisnotignorantthathisveryexistenceasKingofPrussiaandGermanEmperorisathorninthesideoftheRomanCuria;heknows，aseverythinkingGermanknows，that，withthepossibleexceptionoftheBritishmonarchy，nootherissohatedbytheVaticanmonsignoriashisown。Heisperfectlyawareoftheparttakeninthatquarteragainsthiscountryanddynastyatalltimes，andespeciallyduringtherecentwars;andyetallthisseemsnottoinfluencehimintheslightestasregardsjusticetohisRomanCatholicsubjects。Hedoesindeed，resistthereturnoftheJesuitsintotheempire，——hiskeeninsightforbidshimtoimitatethepolicyofFredericktheGreatinthisrespect，——buthisdealingswiththeRomanCatholicChurchatlargeshownotmerelywisdombutkindliness。Ifhefeltboundtoresist，anddidsuccessfullyresist，theeffortsofCardinalRampollatoundermineGermanruleandinfluenceinAlsaceandLorraine，therewasaquietfairnessandjusticeinhisactionwhichshowedavastdealoftolerantwisdom。HisvisitstotheoldAbbeyofLaach，hisformerrelationswithitsyoungabbot，hissettlementofavexedquestionbythetransferoftheabbottothebishopricofMetz，hisbringingofaloyalGermanintoepiscopalpoweratStrasburg，hisrecenttreatmentoftheprincebishopofBreslauandthearchbishopofCologne，allshowawisebreadthofview。PerhapsoneofthebrightestdiplomaticstrokesinhiscareerwashisdealingwithaVaticanquestionduringhisjourneyintheEast。ForyearstherehadbeengrowingupinworldpoliticsthetheorythatFrance，nomatterhowshemaydealwithmonksandnunsandultramontaneeffortswithinherownimmediateboundaries，istheirprotectorinalltheworldbeside，andespeciallyintheHolyLand。TherelationofthistheorytotheCrimeanWar，fiftyyearsago，isoneofthecuriousthingsofhistory，andfromthatdaytothisithasseemedtobehardeningmoreandmoreintoafixedpolicy——evenintosomethinglikeadoctrineofinternationallaw。Interestingwasit，then，toseetheEmperor，onhisvisittotheSultan，knockthegroundfromunderthefeetofallthisdoctrinebysecuringfortheRomanCatholicinterestatJerusalemwhattheFrenchhadneverbeenabletoobtain——thepieceofgroundattheHolyCity，solongcovetedbypiousCatholics，whereon，accordingtotradition，oncestoodthelodgingoftheVirginMary。ThistheEmperorquietlyobtainedoftheSultan，and，afterassistingatthededicationofaLutheranchurchatJerusalem，hetelegraphedtothePopeandtootherrepresentativesoftheolderchurchthathehadmadeagiftofthissacredsitetothosewhohadsolongandsoardentlydesiredit。
　　Considerablecriticismhasbeenmadeonthescoreofhisevidentappreciationofhisposition，andhistheoryofhisrelationtoit;butwhenhispointofviewiscited，oneperhapsappreciatesitmorejustly。Ihavealreadyshownthispointofviewintheaccountoftheparttakenbyhimatthetwo—hundredthanniversaryoftheRoyalAcademy，andofhisremark，afterward，contrastinghistheoryofmonarchywiththatofDomPedroofBrazil。Jocoseaswasthemannerofit，itthrowslightuponhisideaofhisdutyinthestate。Whileaconstitutionalmonarch，heisnotsointheBritishsense。Britishconstitutionalmonarchyismadepossiblebythe"silverstreak";butaroundtheGermanEmpire，aseveryGermanfeelsinhisheart，isno"silverstreak。"ThisfactshouldbeconstantlyborneinmindbythosewhocarereallytounderstandtheconditionsofnationalexistenceonthecontinentofEurope。HereinliestheanswertoonechargethathasbeensooftenmadeagainsttheGermanEmperor——ofunduesolicituderegardinghisofficialandpersonalposition，asshowninsundrypettytreasontrials。ThesimplefactisthatGermanpublicopinion，embodiedinGermanlaw，hasarrivedattheconclusionthatitisnotbesttoallowtheheadofthestatetobethesportofeverycrankorblackguardwhocanwieldapenorpencil。
　　TheAmericanview，whichallowedLincoln，Garfield，andMcKinleytobeattackedinallthemoodsandtensesofvituperation，andtobeartisticallyportrayedastyrants，drunkards，clowns，beastsofprey，andreptiles，hasnotyetbeenreceivedintoGermanmodesofthought。Luthersaidthathe"wouldnotsufferanymantotreattheGospelasasowtreatsasackofoats";andthatseemstobethefeelinginherentintheGermanmindregardingthetreatmentofthosewhorepresentthemajestyofthenation。
　　AndhereawordregardingtherelationofKaiserandpeople。InoneoftheletterstoJohnAdamswrittenbyThomasJeffersonastheybothwereapproachingthecloseoflife，thefounderofAmericandemocracydeclaredthathehadforeseenthefailureofFrenchpopularrule，andhadthereforefavoredinFrance，democratthoughhewas，aconstitutionalmonarchy。HadJeffersonlivedinourtime，hewoulddoubtlesshavearrivedatasimilarconclusionregardingGermany，forhewouldhavetakenaccountofthedifferencebetweenacountrylikeours，withnolongperiodofhistorywhichhadgiventodominantpoliticalideasareligiouscharacter，——acountrystretchingfromoceantoocean，withnoneighborstomakeusafraid，——andacountrylikeGermany，withanancienthistorichead，withnonaturalfrontiers，andbesetoneverysidebyenemies;andJeffersonwoulddoubtlesshavetakenaccountalsoofthefactthat，werethemattersubmittedtopopularvote，thepresentsovereign，withhispresentpowers，wouldbethechoiceofanoverwhelmingmajorityoftheGermanpeople。TheGermanimperialsystem，likeourownAmericanrepublicansystem，istheresultofanevolutionduringmanygenerations——anevolutionwhichhasproducedthepresentgovernment，decideditscharacter，fixeditsform，allotteditspowers，anddecidedonthemenattheheadofit;
　　andthisfactanAmerican，nomatterhowdevotedtorepublicanismanddemocracyinhisowncountry，maywellacknowledgetobeasfixedinthepoliticalasinthephysicalworld。
　　OfcoursesomeverybitterchargeshavebeenmadeagainsthimasregardsGermany，themainonebeingthathedoesnotloveparliamentarygovernmentandhas，atvarioustimes，infringedupontheconstitutionoftheempire。
　　Astolovingparliamentarygovernment，hewouldprobablysaythathecannotregardasystemasfinalwhich，whileattachingtothefrontofthechariotofprogressafullteamtopullitforward，attachesanotherteamtothereartopullitbackward。Butwhateverhistheory，hehasinpracticedonehisbesttopromotetheefficiencyofparliamentarygovernment，andtoincreaserespectforitinhiskingdomofPrussia，bynamingaslifemembersoftheSenatesundrymenofthehighestcharacterandofimmensevalueinthediscussionofthemostimportantquestions。
　　Twoofthese，appointedduringmystay，Iknewandadmired。Thefirst，ProfessorGustavSchmoller，formerlyrectoroftheUniversityofBerlin，isoneoftheleadingeconomistsoftheworld，whohasshowngeniusinstudyingandexhibitingthepracticalneedsoftheGermanpeople，andindiscerningthebestsolutionsofsimilarproblemsthroughouttheworld——profound，eloquent，conciliatory，suretobeofimmensevalueasasenator。
　　Thesecond，ProfessorSlaby，directorofthegreattechnicalinstitutionofGermanyatCharlottenburg，isoneoftheleadingauthoritiesoftheworldoneverythingthatpertainstotheapplicationsofelectricity，agreatadministrator，awisecounseloronquestionspertainingtotheGermaneducationalsystem。Neitherofthesemenorates，butbothareadmirablespeakers，andaresuretobeofincalculablevalue。Inamethemsimplyastypes:otherswereappointed，equallydistinguishedinotherfields。If，then，theEmperorisblamedfornotlikingparliamentaryandpartygovernment，itisonlyfairtosaythathehastakenthesurestwaytogiveitstrengthandcredit。
　　AstotheallegedviolationsoftheGermanconstitution，thesame，inafarhigherdegree，werechargedagainstKaiserWilliamIandBismarck，——andthesechargesweretrue，——butitisalsotruethattherebythosemensavedandbuiltuptheircountry。Asamatteroffact，theintuitivesenseaswellasthereflectivepowersofGermansseemtoshowthemthattherealdangerstotheircountrycomefromaverydifferentquarter——frommenwhopromotehatredsofrace，class，andreligionwithintheempire，andhistoricinternationalhatredswithoutit。
　　So，too，variouschargeshavebeenmadeagainsttheEmperorasregardstheUnitedStates。Fromtimetotimetherecame，duringmystay，statementsinsundryAmericannewspapers，somebelligerent，somelacrymose，regardinghisattitudetowardourcountry。ItseemedtobetakenforgrantedbymanygoodpeopleduringourSpanishWarthattheEmperorwaspersonallyagainstus。Itisnotunlikelythathemayhavefeltsympathyforthatforlorn，widowedQueenRegentofSpain，makingsodesperateastruggletosavethekingdomforheryoungson;ifso，hebutsharedafeelingcommontoaverylargepartofhumanity，forcertainlytherehavebeenfewmorepatheticsituations;butthathereallycaredanythingforthesuccessofSpainisexceedinglydoubtful。TheHohenzollerncommonsenseinhimmusthavebeenforyearsvexedatthefollyandfatuityofSpanishpolicy。Heprobablyinheritsthefeelingofhisfather，who，whenvisitingthelateSpanishmonarchsomeyearsbeforehisdeath，showedamostkindlypersonalfeelingtowardSpainanditsruler，andanintenseinterestinvariousphasesofartdevelopedintheSpanishpeninsula;but，inhisdiary，letfallremarkswhichshowhisfeelingtowardthewholeexistingSpanishsystem。OneoftheseIrecallespecially。PassinganotedSpanishtown，heremarks:"Herearetenchurches，twentymonasteries，andnotasingleschool。"NoHohenzollernislikelytowastemuchsympathyonanationwhichbringsonitsfatebypreferringmonasticismtoeducation;andneverduringtheSpanishWardidheorhisgovernment，tomyknowledge，showtheslightestleaningtowardourenemies。CertainitisthatwhensundryhystericalpublicistsandmeddlesomestatesmenoftheContinentproposedmeasuresagainstwhattheythoughtthedangerousencroachmentsofourRepublic，hequietly，butresolutelyandeffectually，puthisfootuponthem。
　　AnothercomplaintsometimesheardinAmericareallyamountstothis:thattheEmperorispushingGermaninterestsinallpartsoftheworld，andisnotgivinghimselfmuchtroubleabouttheinterestsofothercountries。Thereistruthinthis，butthecomplainantsevidentlyneverstoptoconsiderthateverythinkingmanineverynationwoulddespisehimwereitotherwise。
　　Yetanothergrievance，alittletimesince，wasthat，apparentlywithhisapproval，hisshipsofwarhandledsundryVenezuelanswithdecidedroughness。Thiswastrueenoughandoughttowarmeveryhonestman’sheart。
　　Themainfactsinthecasewerethese:apettyequatorial"republic，"afteralongseriesofrevolutions，——onehundredandfourinseventyyears，LordLansdownetellsus，——wasenjoyingpeaceandthebeginningsofprosperity。ThankstotheUnitedStates，ithadreceivedfromaninternationaltribunaltheterritorytowhichitwasentitled，wasfreefromdisturbanceathomeorannoyanceabroad，andwasunderaregulargovernmentsanctionedbyitspeople。Suddenly，anindividualstartedanotherso—called"revolution。"Hewasthechampionofnoreform，principle，oridea;hesimplyrepresentedthegreedofhimselfandapackofconfederateswhoseidealwasthatofagangofburglars。Withtheiraidhekilled，plundered，orterrorizeduntilhegotcontrolofthegovernment——or，rather，becamehimselfthegovernment。Underthenameofa"republic"heerectedadespotismandusurpedpowerssuchasnoRussianautocratwoulddareclaim。LikethemenofhissortwhosooftenafflictrepublicsintheequatorialregionsofSouthAmerica，hehadnohesitationinconfiscatingthepropertyandtakingthelives，notonlyofsuchofhisfellow—citizensashethoughtdangeroustohimself，butalsoofthosewhomhethoughtlikelytobecomeso。
　　Hemadethepublictreasuryhisown，anddoubtlesspreparedtheway，assomanyotherpatriotsofhissortinsuch"republics"
　　havedone，forretirementintoapalaceatParis，withamplefundsforenjoyingthepleasuresofthatcapital，afterhe，likesomanyothers，shallhavebeen，inturn，kickedoutofhiscountrybysomenewbanditstrongerthanhe。
　　Sofarsogood。IfthecitizensofVenezuelalikeorpermitthatsortofthing，outsidenationshavenocalltointerfere;butthispettydespot，havingrobbed，maltreated，andevenmurderedcitizensofhisowncountry，proceededtomaltreatandrobcitizensofothercountriesand，amongthem，thoseoftheGermanEmpire。Hewasatfirstaskedindiplomaticfashiontodesistandtomakeamends，butforsuchappealshesimplyshowedcontempt。
　　HispurposewasevidentlytoplunderallGermansubjectswithinhisreach，andtocheatallGermancreditorsbeyondhisreach。AtthistheGermanGovernment，aseverygovernmentinsimilarcircumstancesisboundtodo，demandedredressandsentshipstoenforcethedemand。Thiswasperfectlylegitimate;butimmediatelytherearoseintheUnitedStatesanoutcryagainsta"violationoftheMonroeDoctrine。"Asamatteroffact，theMonroeDoctrinewasnomoreconcernedinthematterthanwasthedoctrineofthePerseveranceoftheSaints;buttherewasenoughtostartanoutcryagainstGermany，andsoitbegantospread。
　　TheGermanswerecarefultoobservethebestprecedentsininternationallaw，yeteverysteptheytookwasexhibitedinsundryAmericanpapersasamenacetotheUnitedStates。TherewasnomoremenacetotheUnitedStatesthantotheplanetSaturn。TheconductoftheGermanGovernmentwasintheinterestoftheUnitedStatesaswellasofeveryotherdecentgovernment。
　　Finally，thesoldiersinaVenezuelanfortwantonlyfireduponaGermanwarvessel——whereuponthecommanderoftheship，actingentirelyinaccordance，notonlywithinternationallaw，butwithnaturalright，defendedhimself，andknockedthefortabouttheearsofthosewhooccupiedit，thusgivingthecreatureswhodirectedthemalessonwhichoughttorejoiceeverythinkingAmerican。AtthisthestormonpaperagainstGermany，bothinAmericaandGreatBritain，brokeoutwithrenewedviolence，andtherewasmoretalkaboutdangerstotheMonroeDoctrine。Asonewho，atTheHagueConference，wasabletodosomethingforrecognitionoftheMonroeDoctrinebyEuropeanpowers，andwho，asamemberoftheVenezuelanCommission，didwhatwaspossibletosecurejusticetoVenezuela，Itakethisopportunitytoexpresstheopinionthatthetimehascomeforplainspeakinginthismatter。EvenwiththoseofuswhobelieveintheMonroeDoctrinetherebeginstoariseaquestionastowhicharenearesttheinterestsandtheheartsofAmericans，——thesortof"dumbdrivencattle"whoallowthemselvestobegovernedbysuchmenasnowcontrolVenezuela，orthepeopleofGermanyandothercivilizedpartsofEurope，aswellasthoseofthebetterSouthAmericanrepublics，likeChile，theArgentineRepublic，Brazil，andothers，whoseinterests，aspirations，ideals，andfeelingsaresomuchmorecloselyakintoourown。
　　Occasionally，too，therehavearisenplaintivedeclarationsthattheEmperordoesnotlovetheUnitedStatesoradmireitsinstitutions。AstothatIneversaworheardofanythingshowingdisliketoourcountry;but，afterall，heisafreeman，andthereisnothingininternationallaworinternationalcomityrequiringhimtolovetheUnitedStates;itissufficientthatherespectswhatisrespectableinourgovernmentandpeople，andwemayfairlyallowtohimhisopiniononsundrynoxiousandnauseousdevelopmentsamonguswhichwehopemayprovetemporary。
　　Astoadmiringourinstitutions，heisprobablynotfascinatedbyourlaxadministrationofcriminaljustice，whichleavesatlargemoreunpunishedcriminals，andespeciallymurderers，thanaretobefoundinanyotherpartofthecivilizedworld，save，possibly，somedistrictsoflowerItalyandSicily。HeprobablydoesnotadmireTammanyHallorthePhiladelphiaRing，andhashisownopinionofcitieswhichsubmittosuchtyranny;quitelikelyhehasnotbeenfavorablyimpressedbytherecklesswasteandsordidjobberyrecentlyrevealedatSt。LouisandMinneapolis;itisexceedinglydoubtfulwhetherheadmiressomeofthespeechesonnationalaffairsmadeforthe"Buncombedistrict"andthegalleries;butthatheadmiresandrespectsthemenintheUnitedStateswhodothingsworthdoing，andsaythingsworthsaying;thathetakesadeepinterestinthosefeaturesofourpolicy，orachievementsofourpeople，whicharetoourcredit;thatheenjoysthebestofourliterature;thatherespectseverytrueAmericansoldierandsailor，everyAmericanstatesmanorscholarorwriterorworkerofanysortwhoreallyaccomplishesanythingforourcountry，iscertain。
　　Tosumuphispositionincontemporaryhistory:AstheGermannationistheresultofanevolutionofindividualandnationalcharacterinobediencetoresistlessinnerforcesandtoitsenvironment，sooutofthemedleyofimperialandroyalHohenstaufens，Hapsburgs，Wittelsbachs，Wettins，Guelphs，andthelike，havearisen，asbyasurvivalofthefittest，theHohenzollerns。Thesehavegiventotheworldvariousstrongtypes，andespeciallysuchastheGreatElector，FrederickII，andWilliamI。Mainlyunderthemandundermentrainedorselectedbythem，Germany，fromagreatconfusedmassofwarriorsandthinkersandworkers，militantatcross—purposes，wearingthemselvesoutinvainstruggles，andpreyeduponbymalevolentneighbors，hasbecomeagreatpowerinarms，inart，inscience，inliterature;afortressofhighthought;aguardianofcivilization;thenaturalallyofeverynationwhichseeksthebetterdevelopmentofhumanity。Andtheyoungmonarchwhoisnowatitshead——original，yetstudiousofthegreatmenanddeedsofthepast;brave，yetconciliatory;neverallowingthemail—cladfisttobecomeunnerved，butnonethelessdevotedtotheconquestsofpeace;standingfirmlyonrealities，butwithasteadyvisionofideals——seemslikelytoaddanewnametothelistofthosewho，asleadersofGermany，haveadvancedtheworld。
　　CHAPTERXLV
　　ASPRESIDENTOFTHEAMERICANDELEGATIONATTHEPEACECONFERENCE
　　OFTHEHAGUE:I——1899
　　Onthe24thofAugust，1898，theRussianGovernmentproposed，inthenameoftheEmperorNicholasII，aconferencewhichshouldseektoarresttheconstantlyincreasingdevelopmentofarmamentsandthuscontributetoadurablepeace;andonthe11thofJanuary，1899，hisministerofforeignaffairs，CountMouravieff，havingreceivedfavorableanswerstothisproposal，sentforthacircularindicatingtheRussianviewastosubjectsofdiscussion。Astotheplaceofmeeting，therewereobviousreasonswhyitshouldnotbethecapitalofoneofthegreaterpowers。AstoSwitzerland，thenumberofanarchistsandnihilistswhohadtakenrefugethere，andthemurderoftheEmpressofAustriabyoneofthemshortlybefore，atGeneva，inbroaddaylight，hadthrowndiscreditovertheabilityoftheSwissGovernmenttoguaranteesafetytotheconference;theRussianGovernmentthereforeproposedthatitssessionsbeheldatTheHague，andthisbeingagreedto，theopeningwasfixedforthe18thofMay。
　　FromthefirsttherewasamisunderstandingthroughouttheworldastowhattheEmperorNicholasreallyproposed。Farandnearitwastakenforgrantedthathedesiredageneraldisarmament，andthislegendspreadrapidly。Asamatteroffact，thiswasneitherhisproposalnorhispurpose;themeasureshesuggestedbeingdesigned"toputanendtotheconstantlyincreasingdevelopmentofarmaments。"
　　AttheoutsetIwasskepticalastothewholematter。WhatIhadseenoftheEmperorNicholasduringmystayinRussiahadnotencouragedmetoexpectthathewouldhavethebreadthofvieworthestrengthofpurposetocarryoutthevastreformswhichthinkingmenhopedfor。Irecalledourconversationatmyreceptionasminister，when，tomyamazement，heshowedhimselfentirelyignorantofthestarvingconditionofthepeasantrythroughoutlargedistrictsintheveryheartoftheempire。[8]
　　Thathewasakindlyman，wishinginalanguidwaythegoodofhiscountry，couldnotbedoubted;buttheindifferencetoeverythingabouthimevidentinallhisactions，hislackofforceeveninthesimplesteffortsfortheimprovementofhispeople，and，aboveall，hisyieldingtotheworstelementsinhistreatmentoftheBalticprovincesandFinland，didnotencouragemetobelievethathewouldleadamovementagainsttheenormouspowerofthemilitarypartyinhisvastempire。Onthisaccount，whentheAmericannewspapersprophesiedthatIwastobeoneofthedelegates，myfeelingswerestronglyagainstacceptinganysuchpost。ButinduetimethetenderofitcameinawayverydifferentfromanythingIhadanticipated:PresidentMcKinleycabledapersonalrequestthatIacceptapositiononthedelegation，andprivatelettersfromverydearfriends，inwhosegoodjudgmentIhadconfidence，gaveexcellentreasonsformydoingso。Atthesametimecamethenamesofmycolleagues，andthisledmetofeelthatthedelegationwastobeplacedonahigherplanethanIhadexpected。IntheordernamedbythePresident，theywereasfollows:AndrewD。White;SethLow，PresidentofColumbiaUniversity;StanfordNewel，MinisteratTheHague;CaptainMahan，oftheUnitedStatesnavy;CaptainCrozier，ofthearmy;andtheHon。FrederickW。Hollsassecretary。Inviewofallthis，Iaccepted。
　　[8]Seeaccountofthisconversationin"MyMissiontoRussia，"
　　ChapterXXXIII，pp。9—10。
　　Sooncameevidencesofaninterestintheconferencemoreearnestandwide—spreadthananythingIhaddreamed。Books，documents，letters，wiseandunwise，thoughtfulandcrankish，shrewdandchildish，pouredinuponme;inallclassesofsocietythereseemedfermentingamixtureofhopeanddoubt;eventheGermanEmperorapparentlyfeltit，forshortlytherecameaninvitationtothepalace，andonmyarrivalIfoundthatthesubjectuppermostinhismindwastheapproachingconference。Ofourconversation，aswellasofsomeotherinterviewsatthisperiod，Ispeakelsewhere。
　　Onthe16thofMayIleftBerlin，andarrivedlateintheeveningatTheHague。Aseveryday’sdoingswereenteredinmydiary，itseemsbesttogiveanaccountofthispartofmylifeintheshapeofextractsfromit。
　　May17，1899。
　　Thismorning，ongoingoutofourhotel，theOudeDoelen，Ifoundthatsincemyformervisit，thirty—fiveyearsago，therehadbeenlittleapparentchange。Itisthesameoldtown，quiet，picturesque，fullofhistoricalmonumentsandarttreasures。Thishotelandtheneighboringstreetshadbeendecoratedwiththeflagsofvariousnations，includingourown，andcrowdswereassembledunderourwindowsandinthepublicplaces。Thehotelisinoneofthemostattractivepartsofthecityarchitecturallyandhistorically，andisitselfinterestingfrombothpointsofview。Ithasbeenahostelryeversincethemiddleages，andoverthemainentranceatabletindicatesrebuildingin1625。Connectedwithitbyinteriorpassagesareanumberofbuildingswhichwereonceprivateresidences，andoneofthelargestandbestofthesehasbeenengagedforus。FortunatelythepresentSecretaryofState，JohnHay，hasbeeninthediplomaticservice;andwhenIwrotehim，someweeksago，ontheimportanceofproperquartersbeingsecuredforus，heenteredheartilyintothematter，givingfullpowerstotheministerheretodowhateverwasnecessary，subjecttomyapproval。Theresultisthatwearequiteaswellprovidedforasanyotherdelegationattheconference。
　　IntheafternoonourdelegationmetatthehouseoftheAmericanministerandwasdulyorganized。AlthoughnamedbythePresidentfirstinthelistofdelegates，Ipreferredtoleavethematterofthechairmanshipentirelytomyassociates，andtheynowunanimouslyelectedmeastheirPresident。
　　TheinstructionsfromtheStateDepartmentwerethenread。Thesewere，ineffect，asfollows:
　　ThefirstarticleoftheRussianproposals，relatingtothenon—augmentationoflandandseaforces，issoinapplicabletotheUnitedStatesatpresentthatitisdeemedadvisabletoleavetheinitiative，uponthissubject，totherepresentativesofthosepowerstowhichitmayproperlyapply。
　　Asregardsthearticlesrelatingtothenon—employmentofnewfirearms，explosives，andotherdestructiveagencies，therestricteduseoftheexistinginstrumentsofdestruction，andtheprohibitionofcertaincontrivancesemployedinnavalwarfare，itseemstothedepartmentthattheyarelackinginpracticabilityandthatthediscussionofthesearticleswouldprobablyprovokedivergencyratherthanunanimityofview。Thesecretarygoesontosaythat"itisdoubtfulifwarswillbediminishedbyrenderingthemlessdestructive，foritistheplainlessonofhistorythattheperiodsofpeacehavebeenlongerprotractedasthecostanddestructivenessofwarhaveincreased。Theexpediencyofrestrainingtheinventivegeniusofourpeopleinthedirectionofdevisingmeansofdefenseisbynomeansclear，and，consideringthetemptationstowhichmenandnationsmaybeexposedinatimeofconflict，itisdoubtfulifaninternationalagreementofthisnaturewouldproveeffective。"
　　Astothefifth，sixth，andseventharticles，aiming，intheinterestofhumanity，tosuccorthosewhobythechanceofbattlehavebeenrenderedhelpless，toalleviatetheirsufferings，andtoinsurethesafetyofthosewhosemissionispurelyoneofpeaceandbeneficence，weareinstructedthatanypracticableproposalsshouldreceiveourearnestsupport。
　　Ontheeightharticle，whichproposesthewiderextensionof"goodoffices，mediation，andarbitration，"thesecretarydwellswithmuchforce，andfinallysays:"Theproposaloftheconferencepromisestoofferanopportunitythusfarunequaledinthehistoryoftheworldforinitiatingaseriesofnegotiationsthatmayleadtoimportantpracticalresults。"Thedelegationisthereforeenjoinedtopropose，atanopportunemoment，aplanforanInternationalTribunalofArbitrationwhichisannexedtotheinstructions，andtousetheirinfluenceintheconferencetoprocuretheadoptionofitssubstance。
　　And，finally，weareinstructedtoproposetotheconferencetheprincipleofextendingtostrictlyprivatepropertyatseatheimmunityfromdestructionorcapturebybelligerentpowersanalogoustothatwhichsuchpropertyalreadyenjoysonland，andtoendeavortohavethisprincipleincorporatedinthepermanentlawofcivilizednations。Awell—drawnhistoricalresumeoftherelationsoftheUnitedStatestothequestionofarbitrationthusfarisadded，andahistoricalsummaryoftheactionoftheUnitedStates，hitherto，regardingtheexemptionofprivatepropertyatseafromseizureduringwar。
　　Thedocumentofmostimmediateimportanceistheplanfurnishedusforinternationalarbitration。Itsmainfeaturesareasfollows:
　　First，atribunal"composedofjudgeschosen，onaccountoftheirpersonalintegrityandlearningininternationallaw，byamajorityofthemembersofthehighestcourtnowexistingineachoftheadheringstates，onefromeachsovereignstateparticipatinginthetreaty，whoshallholdofficeuntiltheirsuccessorsareappointedbythesamebody。"
　　Secondly，thetribunaltomeetfororganizationnotlaterthansixmonthsafterthetreatyshallhavebeenratifiedbyninepowers;toorganizeitselfasapermanentcourt，withsuchofficersasmaybefoundnecessary，andtofixitsownplaceofsessionandrulesofprocedure。
　　Thethirdarticleprovidesthat"thecontractingnationswillmutuallyagreetosubmittotheinternationaltribunalallquestionsofdisagreementbetweenthem，exceptingsuchasmayrelatetoorinvolvetheirpoliticalindependenceorterritorialintegrity。"
　　Thefiftharticlerunsasfollows:"Abenchofjudgesforeachparticularcaseshallconsistofnotfewerthanthreenormorethanseven，asmaybedeemedexpedient，appointedbytheunanimousconsentofthetribunal，andshallnotincludeanymemberwhoiseitheranative，subject，orcitizenofthestatewhoseinterestsareinlitigationinthecase。"
　　Thesixtharticleprovidesthatthegeneralexpensesofthetribunalbedividedequallyamongtheadherentpowers;butthatthosearisingfromeachparticularcasebeprovidedforasmaybedirectedbythetribunal;alsothatnon—adherentstatesmaybringtheircasesbeforeit，onconditionofthemutualagreementthatthestateagainstwhichjudgmentshallbefoundshallpay，inadditiontothejudgment，theexpensesoftheadjudication。