came to Berlin to return the Emperor's visit. A state banquet was
held, at which the Emperor proposed the following toast to the King
of Italy:
May it please your Majesty to accept from me and my people our
heartiest thanks for the proof of the friendship which your Majesty has
given me by this visit!
My troops, likewise, are filled with grateful pride that they have been
able to conduct themselves with honor in the eyes of your Majesty, an
experienced soldier.
Full of the happy remembrance of the army manoeuvres at Rome, I raise
my glass and drink to the health of your Majesty and of her Majesty,
the Queen; to the health of your brave troops as well as to the
unchanging friendship with the house of Savoy, whose motto, "_Sempre
avanti, Savoja_," has led to the unification of the kingdom of Italy.
Long live his Majesty, King Humbert!
THE ENGLISH FLEET AND THE GERMAN ARMY
SANDOWN BAY, AUGUST 5, 1889
On this date the Emperor was created admiral of the English fleet
by Queen Victoria. On the same day he was present at a regatta on
Sandown Bay, where he replied as follows to a toast offered by the
Prince of Wales:
I prize most highly the honor which has been shown me by the Queen in
appointing me admiral of the English fleet. I sincerely rejoice to have
seen the manoeuvres of the fleet, which I consider the finest in the
world. Germany possesses an army which answers to her needs, and if the
British nation possesses a fleet sufficient for the needs of England,
this in itself will be considered by Europe in general as a weighty
factor in the maintenance of peace.
THE ENGLISH ARMY
ALDERSHOT, AUGUST 7, 1889
On his mother's side, who was a princess royal of England, the
Emperor was a grandson of Queen Victoria, to whom he paid frequent
visits and whom he held in high regard. William II began his
reign with cordial feelings toward his island neighbors. If the
friendship between the two nations was never particularly close,
the estrangement of modern times may be said to have begun in
colonial and commercial rivalries in the last decades of the
nineteenth century and to have been sharpened by events in China
and especially by the Boer War. The situation became more acute
after the Morocco incident, in 1904-5, and when on that occasion
England sided with France she was by a large portion of the German
people definitely aligned with their enemies. The present toast,
which was reported in this form in the _Kreuzzeitung_ of August 9,
1889, was received with no protest or denial. The Emperor had been
present at the manoeuvres of 29,000 English troops at Aldershot,
under General Sir Evelyn Wood. The toast was offered in the camp
tent of the Duke of Cambridge, in response to one by that officer.
It gives me particular satisfaction to have appointed the Duke of
Cambridge, the commander-in-chief of the English army, as a member of
the 28th Regiment, since this same regiment had as chief at one time
our comrade at Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington.
The friendship with the English, which had been sealed in blood, my
honored grandfather maintained to the end of his life.
The British army fills me with the greatest admiration. If ever the
possibility of counting upon volunteers is doubted, I shall be in a
position to give testimony to their capacity.
At Malplaquet and at Waterloo the Prussian and British blood was shed
in a common cause.
THE CZAR AT BERLIN
BERLIN, OCTOBER 11, 1889
On the occasion of Alexander III's visit to Berlin the Emperor
offered the following toast at the banquet in the White Room of the
Royal Palace. It may be "considering too curiously to consider
so," but to many there will seem to be something matter-of-fact in
the Czar's reply, which is printed below. This friendship between
the rulers of the two neighboring countries was, however, outwardly
preserved up to the time of the present war, as is evident to
those who will consult the telegrams exchanged between William and
Nicolas on the eve of the outbreak.
I drink to the health of my honored friend, his Majesty, the Emperor of
Russia, and to the continuation of the friendship which has existed for
more than one hundred years between our houses and which, as a legacy
received from my ancestors, I am determined to foster.
The Czar replied in French, as follows:
_Je remercie Votre Majesté de Vos bonnes paroles et je partage
entièrement les sentiments que Vous venez d'exprimer. A la santé de Sa
Majesté, l'Empereur et Roi--Hourra!_
ON BOARD AN ENGLISH FLAG-SHIP
THE PIRÆUS, OCTOBER 30, 1889
On visits to his English relatives the Emperor had, as a lad, made
occasional sojourns in Great Britain, and that romantic temperament
of which he was to give indications even in much later years was
much impressed by the sight of English ships. He recalls the memory
on many occasions. As will be plain later, he early conceived the
idea and realized the necessity of a powerful fleet. As this is his
first reference to the navy in the present volume it is interesting
to note the attitude of humble discipleship which in the mid-years
of the next decade is to give way to quite another conception.
I am proud of the rank which Queen Victoria has bestowed upon me. It
might be supposed that my interest in the British navy dated from my
appointment as admiral; that, however, is not so. From my earliest
youth, when as a boy I ran about on the wharves at Portsmouth, I was
much interested in British ships. My inspection of the ships to-day
has afforded me great satisfaction, and I congratulate you on their
appearance. Nelson's famous watchword is no longer necessary. They all
do their duty, and we as a young sea power follow England in order to
learn from the English navy.
III
AFTER BISMARCK
MAY 6, 1890--JUNE 21, 1895
OPENING OF THE REICHSTAG
BERLIN, MAY 6, 1890
This address to the Reichstag is of particular importance. The
Emperor had now visited most of the sovereigns of Europe and felt
that he had established himself. He was here definitely outlining
a policy which he himself had framed. In that period when the
Emperor was still Prince William, Bismarck had said: "In him there
is something of Frederick the Great, and he is also able to become
as despotic as Frederick the Great. What a blessing that we have
a parliamentary government!" He had likewise prophesied that the
Emperor would be his own chancellor, and he had discovered in
his own case that the prophecy was a true one. In the spring of
this year, after numerous misunderstandings, Bismarck had himself
been forced into retirement, and henceforth his name will be
mentioned but rarely. One of the points on which they had disagreed
was precisely this project for labor legislation, which was,
unfortunately, not destined to fulfil the hopes entertained by
William II. A number of the projects here laid down were carried
out only partially and others not at all. So, for instance, in this
same year the Emperor had issued the following decree:
"For the fostering of peace between employers and laborers
legal regulations are contemplated regarding the forms in which
the laborers shall, through representatives who possess their
confidence, participate in the regulation of matters of common
concern and the protection of their interests in negotiations
with employers and with the organs of my government. By such
institutions the laborers are to be enabled to give free and
peaceful expression to their wishes and complaints, and the
state authorities are to be given the opportunity of continually
acquainting themselves with the conditions of the workers and of
cultivating contact with the latter."
As late as 1905 it had not been carried into execution, though
chambers of labor have since been established which partially carry
out this end.
The industrial courts of which the Emperor speaks have been far
from successful in arbitration disputes. They are established in
all cities of over 20,000 inhabitants and consist of equal numbers
of employers and employees. Dawson holds that unwillingness to
mediate lies with the employers. During the year 1905, 406 courts
acted as boards of conciliation on 350 occasions, all told, and
in only 128 cases were they successful. Part of the failure lies
in the fact that no wage agreements existed. Of 219 "aggressive"
strikes in Berlin in 1905, organized by the "free" trades
federations, 55 were for the introduction of wage agreements.
The Emperor's disappointment at the failure of his policy to check
the growing disaffection of the laboring classes will later be
evident.
It is significant that in this address, though measures for the
army are strongly urged, there is as yet no mention of the navy.
HONORED GENTLEMEN:
Since you have been chosen in the recent elections to work in common
with the allied governments, I bid you welcome at this the opening of
the eighth legislative session of the Reichstag. I earnestly hope that
you may succeed in finding a satisfactory solution for the important
problems of legislation which here confront you. A number of these
problems are of so pressing a nature that it did not seem possible to
defer longer the summoning of the Reichstag.
I consider as most important among them the further enlargement of the
bill concerning the protection of the laborer. The strikes which have
occurred in different parts of the country during the past year have
given me occasion to bring about an investigation of the question as
to whether our present legislation has, to the fullest extent, taken
cognizance of those wishes of the working people which are really just
and reasonable and within the state's power of regulation. The question
of first importance concerns the guarantee of Sunday as a day of rest
for the laboring man, as well as the limitation of woman and child
labor in accordance with consideration for humanity and with regard
to the natural laws of development. The governments of the affiliated
states are convinced that the proposals in this connection made by the
last Reichstag can, according to their present content, be given legal
effectiveness without harm to other interests. In this connection,
however, numerous other provisions have shown themselves unsatisfactory
and capable of improvement. To this category belong especially the
legal provisions for the protection of the laborer against danger
to his life, health, and morals, as well as the laws concerning the
announcement of regulations of labor. The prescriptions concerning
the working men's books need amplification with the aim of insuring
the respect due the older men against the increasing impertinence of
the younger laborers. The consequent changes demanded and the further
expansion of the trade regulations find their expression in a bill
which you will shortly receive.
A further proposal endeavors to secure the better regulation of the
industrial arbitration courts and, likewise, an organization of these
which shall make it possible to use them as mediators in cases of
dispute between employers and employees over the terms on which labor
shall be continued or resumed.
I trust that your willing co-operation will secure an agreement of
the law-making bodies concerning the reform laid before you and
thereby take a step forward toward the solution of our relations to
the laboring class. The more the laboring population recognizes the
serious earnestness with which the government is striving to render
their status satisfactory, so much the more will they be conscious of
the dangers which must arise from their insistence upon extravagant
and impossible demands. In the proper provision for the laborer lies
the most effective means of increasing the strength which I and my
associated rulers are called upon and willing to use in opposing with
unyielding determination any attempt to shake the provisions of the law.
Nevertheless, in the case of this reform there can be question only
of such measures as are feasible without endangering the Fatherland's
industrial activity and with it the most important vital interests of
the laborer himself. Our industry forms only one department in the
economic work of all the peoples who take part in the competition in
the market of the world. With this in mind, I have sought to bring
about an interchange of opinions on the matter, among the states
of Europe where similar economic conditions prevail, as to how far
a general recognition of the legislative problems relative to the
safety of the working man can be established and brought to pass. I
am compelled to gratefully acknowledge that these suggestions have
found favor in all states concerned and especially in those where the
same idea was already being agitated and was approaching execution.
The course of the international conference which met here fills me
with especial satisfaction. Its conclusions are the expression of a
general attitude with regard to this most important province of our
contemporary civilization. The principles there laid down will, I have
no doubt, prove a rich field which, with God's help, shall blossom to
the blessing of the workers of all countries and which will also bear
fruit in drawing all nations together.
The continued preservation of peace is ever the goal of my efforts.
I dare express the conviction that I have succeeded in securing the
confidence of all foreign governments in the good faith of this policy
of mine. Like myself and my esteemed affiliated rulers, the German
people recognize that it is the problem of the empire to preserve peace
by cultivating the alliances already concluded for our defense, and
the friendly relations now existing with all foreign powers, in order
to further prosperity and civilization. For the accomplishment of this
task, however, we need an armed force compatible with our position in
the heart of Europe. Every postponement of matters pertaining to the
army endangers the political balance of power and with it the success
of our policy directed toward maintaining peace.
Since the basis of our army organization was decided upon for a
definite period the military organization of our neighbors has been
broadened and perfected to an unforeseen degree. Indeed, we, too,
have neglected nothing in our attempt to strengthen our forces, in
so far as this was possible within the limits prescribed by the law.
Nevertheless, what we could do within these limits was so little that
we cannot postpone a consideration of the whole question without danger
to ourselves. An increase of the present peace strength and an increase
of the bodies of troops--especially for the field-artillery--must not
be longer deferred. A bill will be laid before you according to which
the necessary measures for strengthening the army will go into effect
on the 1st of October of this year.
The plan which has been instituted in West Africa toward the
suppression of the slave-trade and for the protection of the German
interests has, during the last months, made progress, thanks to the
self-sacrificing activity of our officers and officials who are
stationed there. The complete restoration of peace in those districts
may be expected very shortly. The expense thus incurred will be covered
by an additional grant.
The budget for the current fiscal year already needs a corresponding
enlargement on account of the plans referred to. Furthermore, the
increase of salary for a part of the officials of the realm, which has
long been projected and which has become ever more pressing, can no
longer be delayed. The supplementary budget which is to be submitted
to you will give you an opportunity to prove your friendly interest in
satisfying this need.
If the labors hereby imposed upon you come to a successful issue, new
and sound guarantees for the inner welfare of the Fatherland will then
have been won. May it be granted to us through common effort to achieve
this end!
REVIEW OF THE NINTH ARMY CORPS
FLENSBURG, SEPTEMBER 4, 1890
The review of the Ninth Army Corps took place in the presence of
the Empress, Princes Henry and Albert, of Archduke Karl Stephen
of Austria, and Count Moltke at Flensburg. It will be remembered
that in 1864 Bismarck succeeded in enlisting Austria to aid
Prussia in a war upon Denmark, which was at that time deprived of
Schleswig-Holstein, the harbor of Kiel, and more than 1,000,000
inhabitants. One of the battles of the war to which the Emperor
refers was fought in this district. The address was made at the
banquet following the review.
My opinion of to-day's performance of the Ninth Army Corps under the
command of your Excellency [General von Leszczynski] I have already
expressed to you and your officers.
Whoever, like myself, has for any length of time stood at the front
or partly at the front and partly as spectator has been present at
many imperial manoeuvres knows what such a parade means to an army
corps. I know very well what arduous preliminary labor is involved, the
agitation, the attention, the exertion of the troops. I know very well
how each individual officer, high or low, every soldier, rejoices in
and yet with a certain solicitude looks forward to the moment when he
shall parade before his war lord.[5]
[5] Kriegsherr.
I know from my own experience when I was still a captain what
satisfaction I felt when my adjutant could call to me that the Emperor
had nodded as the company passed by him. This is true to-day,
likewise, in the case of every officer.
I repeat to you my hearty thanks and express to you my congratulation
for the magnificent parade. This army corps which you have marshalled
before me has a bearing and discipline which I must demand
unconditionally from every army corps. I do not doubt for a moment
that the work done in preparing for a review will prove useful in the
preparation for battle.
We stand here upon historic ground, on which our armies, united with
those of Austria, jointly won a bloody victory.
I raise my glass and drink to the Ninth Army Corps in the expectation
that here and hereafter, in war as in peace, it will maintain its
famous traditions. Long live the Ninth Army Corps!
ACCIDENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
BERLIN, NOVEMBER 11, 1890
The following address shows the Emperor in one of the little-known
phases of his amazingly versatile career. It exhibits, likewise,
his command of detailed knowledge in a field where we should least
expect it and his solicitude for the welfare of faithful subjects.
Besides his interest in the sea, he has also for many years been
much interested in agriculture; and his estate in East Prussia
has been in a sense an experiment station. He prides himself on
being a pioneer and in personally supervising his domain and is
occasionally pleased to call himself a farmer. He attended the
meetings of the Prussian Agricultural Commission and at one of the
sessions took part in the discussion on the means of safeguarding
the life of the laborers.
Two points have occurred to me which I would like to ask you to
consider. It is worthy of note that during my reign there have
been brought to my attention many striking cases in which laboring
women have been killed through accidents with machinery. I receive
regularly from the Minister of Justice tabulated lists of requests[6]
for pardon, and it seems to me that there is among them a striking
number of cases of women farmhands who have met with accidents in
tending machines. As has already been said, I am not granting these
pardons as freely as formerly. It is to be noted, furthermore, that a
great difference prevails in the adjudication of the cases in which
penalties may be inflicted and in the penalties themselves. I next
inquired why these women workers--it was especially girls working with
the thrashing-machines--were killed, and it usually appeared that
the girls were caught by their dresses in the transmission pulleys
and so became entangled in them. Then I asked if there were no means
of protection there. Yes, indeed, they said, according to the police
regulations the pulleys must have a cover or a box must be put over
them, but in each of these cases this had not been attended to. There
also appeared here, on the one side, a certain indifference either on
the part of the owner or of the person who was conducting the work
concerning the life of the women in his employ and, on the other
side, an indifference on the part of the women themselves, who had
become accustomed to working near the moving parts of the machines
and to stepping over the pulleys, and finally the accident happened.
Therefore, may I ask you that in using the word "machines" these
provisions regarding power transmission be not forgotten. Many of
the machines stand in one place and the apparatus for transmission
is in another place or in the yard, and that is a chief cause of the
accidents. For every one passes through the yard, and especially if
there are children playing there, all too easily some misfortune may
occur.
[6] From employers, of course.
Let me, therefore, remark, concerning what one of the preceding
speakers has said, that I myself have come to the same conclusion as
Professor Schmoller. I believe that it is not sufficient that the
state should lay upon the worker the obligation to be careful and that
it should give him directions how to conduct himself with regard to the
machines. This cannot be carried out.
I am much more of the opinion that, if such is your desire and if it is
plain that harm has resulted from the fact that the workers move about
too carelessly, it is much better that the obligation should be put
upon the owner or upon the person commissioned to conduct the machines
and that he be required to watch over the employees more carefully.
If the owner cannot burden himself with it then he should have such
officials as would have sufficient influence with the worker to make
him be careful. We must not forget what, for the most part, such a
worker is like and what he knows of machinery. Frequently he knows only
that it cuts or that it is otherwise dangerous. A certain grip is shown
him--he must do it like this--but the rest he does not understand and
regards with indifference. Consequently regulations which concern only
or more particularly the laborer would not help, for the people would
not understand their aim and when the regulation caused them annoyance
or trouble would fail to consider it and thus render themselves liable
to accident.
I believe, therefore, that it is most important in the question of
the conduct of agricultural machinery that we should work toward
proper supervision over the laborer by the employer. When this happens
accidents will begin to diminish.
It has interested me very much to learn here that it is not the
machines but altogether different circumstances which cause most of
the accidents in agricultural operations and that particularly in
all provinces where horses are employed accidents are frequent. I am
therefore pleased that this phase of the question of protecting against
accident has also come up here and that the gentlemen are now engaged
upon it.
For the rest it has been a great pleasure to me to take part in these
deliberations.
ALSACE-LORRAINE
BERLIN, MARCH 14, 1891