THE KAISER'S AFTERTHOUGHT.

Auckland Star, Issue 38, 14 February 1929, Page 6

THE KAISER'S AFTERTHOUGHT.

The preface which the ex-Kaiser has supplied to the German edition of his royal mother's letters is interesting chiefly by way of contrast with his own well-authenticated biographical record. It is some satisfaction to learn that now in his old age the exiled monarch can look back upon his youth without bitterness and with the desire to make spme amends for the injury and suffering that he inflicted upon his parents in his earlier years. For, quite apart from the letters of the Empress Frederick, there is ample evidence to prove that the Kaiser was a most undutiful son, and that his arrogance and his complete disregard of the feelings and interests of others caused constant humiliation and pain to his father and his mother. Emil Ludwig's fascinating biography of "Wilhelm II." provides enough testimony on this point to convince any impartial reader. But so far as the wife of "Frederick the Noble" is concerned, it is some consolation to learn that her .son has at least attempted to clear away the cloud of prejudice and calumny that have so long veiled her real nature from German eyes. There is no more tragic figure in modern history than that of our "Princess Royal,"' condemned to live in uncongenial surroundings amid an unsympathetic people, torn with ceaseless anxiety for her doomed and beloved husband, thwarted and embarrassed at every turn by the unscrupulous and wily "Iron Chancellor," and receiving little but ingrati-] tude from her eldest son. Wilhelm's attempt at reparation has been made late in the day, but it is none the less welcome and consoling.