THE KAISER'S VIEAVS OF LIFE.

Evening Star, Issue 13013, 7 January 1907, Page 3

THE KAISER'S VIEAVS OF LIFE.

"AN OUT-AND-OUT OPTIMIST.'' The Kaiser has s-poken in his own defence against the avalanche of personal criticism which has latterly attained such unprecedented proportions in Germany. He has (fays the Berlin correspondent of the 'Daily Mail') made bit* appeal for fair play through the Bavarian poet, Gangto whom he opened his lieart at Munich las; week. Herr Ganghofcr made public His Majesty's laments through the medium of a newspaper and in the form of an interview. The following are the Emperor's chief observations: "I am an out-and-out optimist, and will iijlow nothing to prevent my being one until the end of my davs. lam a man full of work, and I believe in my work. becau. , se I wish to go forward. It will gratify me when tie people understand what I want and help mo to attain it. Hard is the lot of the man whose work is mistrusted- Sceptics do injustice to others, and injure themselves. It is our duty to ascribe good motives to our fellow-men until they have done something to prove the contrary. This remains my principle, ( notwithstanding some bitter experiences. Optimism brings us much further ahead than pessimism. This holds good in politics as well as in private life. " The German people have a future. A word which always depresses me when I hear it is Reichsverdrossenheit (' Empire-loathing. : or perhaps rendered more accurately, though colloquially, by the phrase Mmperial blues.' The word bears? both constructions). I work with a stout heart, and believe I thereby progress, though the arduouness of my work often fatigues me. Thus I feel the neccfEity of getting out of harness and seeing a fresh bit of the world. I know people call me the Reiso Kaiser, but I have always looked on that as being goodnatured, and have never let it hamper my 'joy of the world.' Trips across home sod are also enjoyable. They tend to solidify the national esprit de corps. Many Germans do not know how much of the beautiful Germany contains. lam alwnys gratified to see a new. piece of German soil, and I regret that much comprehensive 'apparatus' is necessary for mv journeys. Sometimes, however, I experience much that is pleasant, especially during my travelswhich people complain about. Nothing would please me better than to jump into my motor-car for a simple two-days' jaunt through the country, and to return to my work filled with new energy. Such relaxation is peculiarlv necessary in my earnest profession—doubly necessary when one has to combat countless misunderstandings. For one is in a thankless position when one is given credit for no independence. If I succeed in anything, all the. world asks: ' Who was his adviserT If I fail, people say: 'Ho did not know what he was about.' In matters which with other monarchs are regarded as entirely natural people always ask of me 'Wbv?' and the only answer can be because 1 would do good for the German Empire and the German people."