A SILENT KAISER

Grey River Argus, 25 May 1910, Page 1

A SILENT KAISER

After living in^ the limeliglffc ot European politics' for two decades, the Kaiser is reported to Have retired from the publicity of the political stage, At one time William 11. of 'Germany was the most talked of the most beparagraphed man in Europe; but today one seldom sees Hib naine^ mentioned, save in connection with some official occurrence or transaction in which He is intimfefely concerned. Formerly the most prominent controversial! politician in his country, he has disappeared from the public arena ot pafly and international polities. The/c are tew subjects of public interest on which tho Kaiser has not delivered a .peech and few / great international occasions on which the working of his hand has not been visible. But witirjn past i eigTiteen months His Imperial Majesty ' has put an astonishing' clfebk oh " * His j proclivity for Having "a finger in every pie." The Berlin, correspondent ofthfe Daily Express says that the Kaiser'fc self-effacement has been evident since the beginning of, the heated controversy now proceeding in regard to* the franchise question in Prussia. What the Kaiser's view -ooi the question that is stirring Germany to its deptfis is not known? His people long to discover whether he has^ re-actionary, sympathies, or is in favor of a popular franchise - reform ; but the Emperor has enveloped Himself in impeneitrabie i reserve. The" key to the apparent mystery is the pledge given ito the nation some eighteen ;months ago, when, through a popular agitation in wmch the moderate Liberal and some Oontervative groups Joined, the Kaiser, in spite of flatterers, had it brought Home to him that the nation desired a. restriction of the activity of their monarch. Ihe crisis 'terminated when the Officcial! Gazette announced that, "unswayed by exaggerations of public criticism which hi? Majesty feels to be unjust," the. Emperor would .in future dbserve more reserve and respect for qonstitutional usage. The pledge has been faithfully kept; the Kaiser intervenes, no longer in party politics, and delivers no more impromptu speeches that astonish 'the world. It would, however, be erroneous to discount the Kaiser's real 1 power An the control of public affairs. His influence Has in no degree dimiilinhen. He is still His own Foreign Minister,' and he has as firm a grip as ever over domestic affairs. But He puts in his work behind the scenes insteal of before the 'footlights. One cannot Help wandering whether he will one day find His new roTe bo irk-some-that He-will -burst -his bondf' M ftn J d' flach once more like a meteor across the face of Europe/ 1 r