of his vacations have been taken aboard his famous yacht
_Hohenzollern_, and almost every year he has been an enthusiastic
spectator, and occasionally participant, in the regattas on the
Elbe. On this occasion the steam-yacht _Prinzessin Victoria
Luise_ was placed at his disposition by the directors of the
Hamburg-American Line. He is using his famous phrase, "a place in
the sun" with reference to the happy outcome of events in China,
for on May 27 of this year China had finally accepted the terms
of the powers. Of the 90,000 men sent by the powers, Germany had
furnished 22,000, and the general direction of the expedition had
been intrusted to the German general Von Waldersee. Ballin, of the
Hamburg-American Line, had acquired 3,000 feet of water-front and
had leased for twenty-five years most of the landings of a Chinese
navigation company. The Emperor's speech was delivered in reply to
one by Burgomaster Mönckeberg of Hamburg.
I offer my heartiest thanks for the eloquent address of your
Magnificence. I express to you and all comrades on the water the
pleasure which I feel that I should once more be allowed to appear
among you and take part in the races of the North German Regatta
Association.
His Magnificence, in his short and pregnant speech, gave us as good and
beautiful a picture as possible of the development of our Fatherland
during recent years in the field of water sports and of our relations
to foreign countries. It will be my sole task for the future to see
to it that the seeds which have been sown may develop in peace and
security.
In spite of the fact that we have no such fleet as we should have, we
have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun. It will now be my task
to see to it that this place in the sun shall remain our undisputed
possession, in order that the sun's rays may fall fruitfully upon our
activity and trade in foreign parts, that our industry and agriculture
may develop within the state and our sailing sports upon the water,
for our future lies upon the water. The more Germans go out upon the
waters, whether it be in the races of regattas, whether it be in
journeys across the ocean, or in the service of the battle-flag, so
much the better will it be for us. For when the German has once learned
to direct his glance upon what is distant and great, the pettiness
which surrounds him in daily life on all sides will disappear. Whoever
wishes to have this larger and freer outlook can find no better place
than one of the Hanseatic cities. What we have learned out of the
previous history of our development amounts really to what I already
pointed out when I sent my brother to the East Asiatic station (Dec.
15, 1897). We have merely drawn the logical conclusions from the
work which was left us by Emperor William the Great, my memorable
grandfather, and the great man whose monument we have recently
unveiled.[35] These consequences lie in the fact that we are now making
our efforts to do what, in the old time, the Hanseatic cities could
not accomplish, because they lacked the vivifying and protecting power
of the empire. May it be the function of my Hansa during many years of
peace to protect and advance commerce and trade!
[35] Bismarck.
In the events which have taken place in China I see the indication that
European peace is assured for many years to come; for the achievements
of the particular contingents have brought about a mutual respect and
feeling of comradeship that can only serve the furtherance of peace.
But in this period of peace I hope that our Hanseatic cities will
flourish. Our new Hansa will open new paths and create and conquer new
markets for them.
As head of the empire I therefore rejoice over every citizen, whether
from Hamburg, Bremen, or Lübeck, who goes forth with this large outlook
and seeks new points where we can drive in the nail on which to hang
our armor. Therefore, I believe that I express the feeling of all your
hearts when I recognize gratefully that the director of this company
who has placed at our disposal the wonderful ship which bears my
daughter's name has gone forth as a courageous servant of the Hansa, in
order to make for us friendly conquests whose fruits will be gathered
by our descendants.
In the joyful hope that this enterprising Hanseatic spirit may be
spread even further, I raise my glass and ask all of those who are my
comrades upon the water to join with me in a cheer for sailing and the
Hanseatic spirit!
THE GREAT ELECTOR
KIEL, JUNE 20, 1901
Because of his activity in founding the Brandenburg fleet, a
monument was erected to the Great Elector at Kiel. His history has
been touched upon in chapter I. In connection with the services
of the Dutch admirals it is interesting to note that one of the
Emperor's heroes was the God-fearing Dutch admiral De Ruyter,
who always offered prayers before battle. The Emperor once laid
a wreath upon his grave, and to-day on board the battle-ships
the Dutch prayer before going into action is often read by the
chaplains of the navy.
What extraordinary progress has been made in naval matters
under the Emperor we may judge when we remember that before the
Franco-Prussian War there were in Germany no construction bureaus
and no wharves in which cruisers could be built. The first armored
cruisers, _König Wilhelm_, _Kronprinz_, _Friedrich Karl_, were
bought from England and France. In thirty years Germany has here
achieved not only complete independence but something approaching
very nearly to supremacy. His service in this field has been
generally recognized. A German critic not usually favorable to the
Emperor speaks thus: "Perhaps nowhere in the development of our
political life does the personal activity of the Emperor stand out
so strongly as in the building up of the German fleet. From the
beginning he has displayed so much energy and perseverance, in
this respect, and has so emphatically carried his will into effect
that history will certainly credit him with a great and unique
service."
At the unveiling of the monument to the Great Elector, the founder
of the German navy, the Emperor spoke as follows:
Downtrodden fields, desolate plains, razed villages, disease, poverty,
and misery; these were the conditions in the sandy mark when the
young Elector in his earliest youth was called to the throne by the
sudden death of his father. Truly, no enviable heritage; a task that
called for a man who was mature, experienced, and conversant with all
branches, and one which, even so, might have proved too difficult.
Undismayed, the young man entered upon his mission, and with wonderful
ability he succeeded in discharging it. With an iron energy, keeping
the goal which he had once set for himself ever before his eyes,
allowing nothing to turn him aside, the Elector raised up and
strengthened his country, put his people in a position to defend
themselves, freed his borders of enemies, and soon acquired for himself
such a position that the contemporary world, and even his enemies, gave
him while still living that title, "The Great," which in other cases a
grateful people only bestows after an arduous life of service upon a
departed ruler.
And this youth who grew up to powerful manhood, who had directed his
country in this work, was the first prince who called our attention to
the sea; he was the founder of the Brandenburg fleet.
If the German fleet, then, sets up a monument to him, and if her
officers and crews educate themselves and learn steadfastness of
purpose by looking at his statue, they are merely discharging their
honorable duty. God had so disposed that the Elector should pass his
youth in the Netherlands and learn to foster and appreciate labor,
industry, foreign relationships, and the advantages of trade. He
carried over into his own country what he had acquired among that
industrious and simple folk of seafarers who come from German stock. At
that time it was, indeed, a most important decision, and one which at
first his subjects and contemporaries could hardly understand.
Under his powerful will and protection, and in the hands of tried
Netherlanders, the Admiral Raule and his brother, the Brandenburg fleet
flourished. Only after the death of the Elector did his creation fall
to decay. They were not destined to harvest the fruits of their labor.
His successors in power had first to establish through battles their
rights, in order to have a voice in the world and to be allowed to
rule, undisturbed and in peace, the people within their borders. As a
result, our eyes were turned from the sea again in order that after
centuries of fierce conflict the mark and Prussia might finally be
welded together.
Thus, through the guidance of God and through the labors of the
successors of the Great Elector, the power of his house was founded
on that firm foundation and with the corner-stone which he had laid.
It was this princely power that made it possible for the house of
Hohenzollern to take up the German imperial dignity. They founded that
dynastic power which the German Emperor must have in order to be in a
position to care for and protect powerfully the welfare of the empire
everywhere and to force its opponents to respect its flag.
His monument now stands before the academy. That younger generation to
whom the future belongs, which is to cultivate the seeds that we have
sown and to reap the harvest of our labors, may now direct its gaze
toward this prince and be edified by his example.
He was God-fearing and stern, inflexibly stern toward himself and
toward others; he trusted firmly in God and allowed God to direct him,
undismayed by any reverse or by any disappointment; as a Christian, he
looked upon these merely as trials sent him from on high. In this way
the Great Elector lived his life, and this is the example which we are
to follow. The motto which made it possible for him never to lose his
hope and courage, in spite of all vexations, in spite of all reverses
and all grievous experiences and trials, was the red thread which ran
through his life and which is expressed in his phrase: "_Domine, fac me
scire viam, quam ambulem._"
May this be true also of the officers and crews of my navy! So long
as we work on this basis we can overcome, undismayed, every grievous
phase in the development of the navy and of our Fatherland which God's
providence may have in store for us. Let that be the way that you shall
go! Let that be the foundation on which my navy is built up! This will
enable you to conquer in battle and to endure all vexations until the
sun again breaks forth from the clouds.
I therefore turn over this new monument to the navy. May she protect,
cherish, and honor it, so that in the future she may develop characters
which are like his who now stands before her! Let the monument be
unveiled!
ENTRANCE OF PRINCE EITEL FRIEDRICH INTO THE ARMY
JULY 7, 1901
The second son of the Emperor took up his service in the 1st
Infantry Regiment of the Guard on the completion of his eighteenth
year. On this occasion, in the presence of many princes, officers
of the army, and military attachés, the Emperor turned over his son
to the regiment with the following words:
My second son, Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia, having applied
himself eagerly to his studies, has now, according to the verdict of
his superiors, passed his examination with a "good." His childish
years lie behind him, and to-day he takes up the tasks of life for
which he has prepared himself--his foremost task the defense of the
Fatherland--his noblest weapon the sword, his noblest uniform the
Prussian soldier's uniform, the uniform of my 1st Infantry Regiment of
the Guard.
The qualities which the Prince has shown in the course of his youthful
development, as well as his oath, are a pledge to me that he will be
a thoroughgoing officer and a faithful servant of his Fatherland.
Particularly gifted for the military life, with a quick eye for detail,
the Prince, as soon as he has passed his examination as an officer,
will in the ranks of the regiment devote himself actively to the
service for which he longs.
Although still very youthful, he should, nevertheless, be an example
of earnestness, an example in observing all military rules, an example
above all as an officer and man. I can think of nothing more beautiful
than this, that he may be an earnest officer who turns an experienced
eye upon life, unbending as iron in everything which constitutes the
chivalry of the officer's position, stern with himself and maintaining
in strictest self-control the traditions of his house and of this great
regiment. May he go his way untroubled by voices from without, with his
eye firmly fixed upon his goal, and responsible only to his God and to
his father!
But the regiment in which I have now enrolled my second son gives me
the assurance that the young Prince will grow up in an environment,
where from all sides the glorious traditions of Prussian history in
good and evil days will be brought before him. The grenadiers of this
regiment will be fully conscious of the honor which is bestowed upon
them through the fact that once more a young Hohenzollern takes his
place under her flag.
My son, I wish you happiness of this day. Up to the present you have
given me joy, and from this time forth I hope that you will experience
joy in the life and the work which lies before you. Step into the ranks
and draw your sword!
TRUE ART
BERLIN, DECEMBER 18, 1901
The family of the Hohenzollerns has possessed undoubted genius
in many lines. Frederick the Great and the Emperor's great-uncle
Frederick William IV were particularly gifted on the artistic
side. The present Emperor, whose versatility is amazing, has taken
a particular interest in things literary and artistic, and has
himself occasionally assumed the rôle of creative artist. The
symbolic picture, representing the coming of the "Yellow Peril,"
which he is said to have painted for the Czar, caused much comment,
mostly unfavorable.[36] He has, however, assumed a prominent if not
a decisive rôle in directing sculpture, painting, and drama in his
capital. Just as he has directed modifications in battle-ships,
so also he has directed modifications in public buildings. As he
is in a position to distribute rewards, his advice is frequently
accepted without question. The following anecdote, told by a
prominent German architect and recounted by a recent writer, may
serve as an illustration: Drawings for a new church in Berlin were
submitted to the Emperor for assent or correction. His Majesty,
intending to make a marginal remark, with regard to the cross on
the top of the steeple, put a letter for reference above the cross
and drew a straight line from the letter down to the cross. Having
changed his mind, he drew an X vigorously through the letter. When
the architect received his plans again he studied carefully all
the Emperor's corrections, but mistook the cancelled letter for a
star. Knowing better than to ask questions, he built the church
and put a big star on a huge iron pole above the top of the cross.
This strange excrescence was in existence a few years ago and is
probably still visible.
[36] "Emperor William, one of the most comical persons of our
time, orator, poet, musician, dramatic writer, and artist,
and, above all, patriot, has lately painted a picture
representing all the nations of Europe with swords, standing
at the seashore and, at the indication of Archangel Michael,
looking at the sitting figures of Buddha and Confucius in the
distance. According to William's intention, this should mean
that the nations of Europe ought to unite in order to defend
themselves against the peril which is proceeding from there.
He is quite right from his coarse, pagan, patriotic point of
view, which is eighteen hundred years behind the times. The
European nations, forgetting Christ, have in the name of their
patriotism more and more irritated these peaceful nations and
have taught them patriotism and war, and have now irritated
them so much that, indeed, if Japan and China will as fully
forget the teachings of Buddha and of Confucius as we have
forgotten the teachings of Christ, they will soon learn the
art of killing people (they learn these things quickly, as
Japan has proved), and, being fearless, agile, strong, and
populous, they will inevitably very soon make of the countries
of Europe, if Europe does not invent something stronger than
guns and Edison's inventions, what the countries of Europe
are making of Africa. 'The disciple is not above his master:
but every one that is perfect shall be as his master' (Luke
6:40)."--TOLSTOI.
It is a curious fact that for all the Emperor's insistence upon
what might be called nationalism, in artistic matters at least,
in poetry, sculpture, and the drama, he has very little sympathy
with the modern German tendencies. Klinger and Stuck, Ludwig von
Hofmann and Thoma have found no favor, and no attention was paid to
Böcklin. His literary preferences will become more evident after a
reading of his talk with Ganghofer (November 12, 1906).
In the matter of sculpture, the achievement in which the Emperor
takes most pride is undoubtedly the famous Siegesallee in Berlin.
It consists of a number of monumental, heroic figures taken from
the history of his house. The avenue, the general scheme, and the
arrangement of many of the figures were planned by him, and the
figures were chosen in consultation with his historiographer. The
style is supposedly classic; there are many incidental animal
figures, and a sphinx and the sibyl help to represent Bismarck. The
attempt to make heroic and classic certain of the fairly mediocre
representatives of his line, like Albrecht, Otto and John, Joachim,
Frederick, and George William, seems to have been too difficult
a task even for that Berlin school of sculpture, which the
Emperor feels would bear comparison with that of the Renaissance.
Notwithstanding his own efforts to awaken art "from the cold sleep
of unculture," it is perhaps significant that powerful, independent
personalities, Michelangelos in sculpture and Bismarcks in
politics, do not seem to thrive under the Emperor's protection.
This eighteenth day of December has a certain significance in the
history of our art here in Berlin, from the fact that that revered
protector of the Muses, my late father, and my mother, who was so
gifted in the arts, dedicated on that day, fifteen years ago, the
Anthropological Museum. This was in a way the last great closing act
which my father accomplished in this direction, and I look upon it as a
special piece of good fortune that it is on precisely this day of the
year that the works for the Siegesallee could be completed.
I seize with joy the opportunity to express to you all, first, my
congratulations and, secondly, my thanks for the way and manner
in which you have helped me to carry out my original plan. The
accomplishment of the programme for the Siegesallee has required a
number of years, and it was the able historiographer of my house,
Professor Doctor Koser, who put me in a position to assign to the
gentlemen the tasks which it was possible for them to carry out.
Once we had found the historical basis, it was possible to go ahead;
and after the choice of the princes was decided upon, then the most
competent men in the way of historical research were found to help the
gentlemen in their work. In this way the groups were conceived, and,
conditioned to a certain degree by history, they gradually took form.
After this part of the work was done, then, naturally, came the
hardest question of all: Would it be possible, as I hoped, to find
enough artists in Berlin who would be in a position to give themselves
entirely to the execution of this programme?
I had in mind when I approached the solution of this problem, if I
were successful, to show to the world what I considered to be the most
advantageous method of solving an artistic question of this character.
The best way to go about it, I believe, consists not in the appointment
of commissions, not in the establishment of all possible kinds of prize
contests and competitions, but in following the old established method
which they used in classical times and also later in the Middle Ages.
In this way, the direct intercourse between the employer and the artist
offers a security for the favorable shaping of the work and for the
successful accomplishment of the task.
I am especially indebted in this particular to Professor Rheinhold
Begas in that, when I went to him with these thoughts, he made it clear
to me without further ceremony that there was absolutely no doubt but
that there were enough artists of all kinds in Berlin to carry out
such an idea without difficulty. With his help and on the basis of
friendships formed in the circle of sculptors here through visits to
exhibitions and studios I did, indeed, succeed in getting together
a staff with which to proceed in carrying out this task--a staff the
greater part of which I see gathered about me here to-day.
I believe that you will not deny that I have made the execution of the
programme developed by me as easy as possible for you. I have placed
the task before you and limited it in a general way, but for the rest
I have given you absolute freedom, not only freedom in the combination
and composition but precisely that freedom to put into it a certain
amount of yourselves--a thing that every artist must do in order to put
his own stamp upon his work; for every work of art contains within it a
kernel of the artist's own character. I believe that this experiment,
if I may call it so, through which the Siegesallee was completed, dare
be looked upon as a success.
Although interviews have been necessary between me and the artists
who were carrying out the work in order to settle every doubt and to
answer every question, no difficulties of a more serious nature have
shown themselves. I believe, therefore, that from this point of view
we can look back upon the Siegesallee with general satisfaction. You
have individually solved your problems as you saw fit, and I, on my
side, have the feeling that I have allowed you the fullest measure of
freedom and time--a thing I hold to be necessary for the artist. I have
never gone into details and have contented myself with giving merely
the direction, the impulse.
But it fills me with pride and joy to-day when I think that Berlin
stands before the whole world with a body of artists who are capable
of carrying out such a magnificent work. It proves that the Berlin
school of sculpture stands at a height such as could hardly have been
surpassed even in the time of the Renaissance. And I think every one
of you will agree, without jealousy, that the effective example of
Rheinhold Begas and his conception, based upon his knowledge of the
antique, has been a guide to many of you in the working out of this
great task.
Here, also, we could draw a parallel between the great achievements in
the art of the Middle Ages and of the Italians; since in that time,
also, the sovereign and art-loving prince who offered the commissions
to the artists at the same time found the masters, about whom a crowd
of young disciples gathered, so that a certain school was in this way
developed which was able to accomplish remarkable things.
Now, gentlemen, the Pergamon Museum has also been opened on this same
day, in Berlin. I regard that, too, as a very important portion of
our art history and as a good omen and a happy coincidence. A more
magnificent collection cannot be imagined than the abundance of beauty
which is displayed in these rooms before the eyes of the astonished
observer.
But how does art stand in the world to-day? It takes its examples and
creates out of the great sources of Mother Nature; and Nature, in spite
of her great, apparently boundless, limitless freedom, acts according
to everlasting laws which the Creator has set for Himself and which
can never be infringed upon or overstepped without endangering the
development of the world.
It is the same in art. And in looking upon the magnificent remains
from the old classic period we experience the same feeling. Here, too,
an eternal, unchanging law rules; the law of beauty and harmony--of
æsthetics. This law was expressed by the ancients in so surprising and
powerful a manner and in so complete a form that we, for all our modern
perceptions and our power of accomplishment, are proud if it can be
said of some very especially good piece of work: "That is almost as
good as if it had been done 1900 years ago."
"Almost!" Under this impression I shall ask you to take this injunction
to heart. Sculpture has for the most part remained free from the
so-called modern tendencies and influences; it still stands high
and sublime. Keep it so; do not let yourselves be led astray by the
judgment of men and by all sorts of windy doctrines to give up these
great principles upon which it is based.