The Dominion WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1916. THE KAISER'S ILLNESS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2667, 12 January 1916, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1916. THE KAISER'S ILLNESS

It now seems to be quite clear that the Kaiser is suffering from cancer. Rumours that have been in circulation for some time have been confirmed by a letter received by a Baltimore surgeon from Dr. West, an American specialist, who the head of the Berlin Cancer Clinic. The fact that the' disease showed itself two years ago, when the doctors advised that an operation was necessary, is an indication that a very serious stage has now been reached. The operation was not 'performed, and the trouble has reappeared in an aggravated form. No cure has yet been found for cancer. The highest authorities assert that the use of the knife at the first, sign of the growth is the most effective method of treatment, and at best the chance of success is not great. During recent years medical scientists nave devoted much attention to cancer research. They have made some important discoveries regarding tho nature and cause of the disease, but the search for a cure has so far been in vain. For a time hopes were fixed on radium. Some remarkable results were obtained by this form of treatment. Startling claims were made, but we do not hear so much, about the radium cure to-day as we did a few years ago. The amount of success achieved, taking the most favourable estimate, has been disappointing. Cancer is still unconquered. As regards the Kaiser's case the fact that Dr. West considers that it may be necessary to remove the whole or the larynx gives the layman a good idea of the gravity of the trouble. The rumour that the Kaiser's illness is critical is said to' be accepted as true by the German Embassy at Washington, and • the news comes' from Madrid that the rulers of the German States are being called to Berlin owing to tho fear that the Crown Prince is about to assume governing power. No one can say what would be the" effect of the death of the German Emperor at the present juncture. Such an event a't such a time would undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences. It would create a reeling of intense anxiety and uncertainty in Germany. It would shake the nerves of the nation, and greatly intensify the spirit of uneasiness and discontent which is daily increasing its hold on the publiq mind. It might not stop the war, but it would' provide a tempting opportunity for the dissatisfied and disillusioned elements in the population to make things unpleasant for the Government. It might turn the growing desire for peace into a persistent clamour that could not be stilled. It would be a great mistake to think that the death of the Kaiser would simply mean a change from one monarchical figure-head to another. The German Empferor not only reigns—he governs. As War Lord he las supremo command of the German forces on land and sea, and can declare war and make peace. His combined powers as Emperor and King of Prussia are very real. He appoints and can dismiss the Imperial Chancellor, who is in effect the only responsible Minister. "Hence," writes Mr. Tower in his book on Germany of To-day, "the actual director of policy in the Empire is only under the control of the KaiI ser, and is only responsible to him." Tho rulers of the States which constitute the Empire are said to be alarmed at the possibility of the Crown Prince straightway assuming the Imperial prerogatives. It is not surprising that- such an eventuality is viewed with serious misgivings. The Crown Prince is not an inspiring personality, At the beginning of the war he enjoyed a considerable amount of but for some time past he has been losing his hold on the affections of the people. As a military leader he has not boon a success in spite of the fact that w.vthing jaossibla was dcuw to J ;

make it easy for him to play the role of the conquering hero. His liopes of making a triumphal entry into Paris were shattered by the success of the armies, of tho Allies at tho Marne. Ho is lacking in mental balance and the sense of responsibility as _ well as in leadership. His private life has been surrounded with unpleasant scandals. The respect and confidence which the nation feels for the Kaiser is not likely to be transferred to the Crown Prince, and the rulers of the German States, who are extremely jealous of their rights and privileges, may not quietly acquiesce in the Crown Prince's succession to the Kaisership. It must bo remembered that the Empire is only a comparatively new creation. It is not a unity. It is (writes Mr. Tower) a federation, a close political coalition for certain" purposes, chief of which is that of defence. Bavaria, Saxony, and Wurtemburg are independent kingdoms; Badon, Saxe-Co-burg, Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Altenbcrg, tho Mccklcnbergs, are independent Grand Duchies; the two Reusses are independent Principalities—with their own legisfators, their own constitutions, and in the cast) nf Bavaria and Saxony their oivn State railways; in the case of Bavaria alone her own and postage stamps. They levy taxes and excise independent both of Prussia and of the Empire; they maintain diplomatic Tepresentatires at each other's Courts, and expect foreign countries to be independently' represented ftt their CourTs. But they . . . possess an imperial, that is, a federal army . . . and they recognise as thp visible symbol of this federation a federal chief, the Gorman Emperor. This description of the constitution of the Gorman Empire helps us to realise the dangerous possibilities for that Empire which must be associated with the death of the Kaiser at a critioal moment like the present. In fast, almost anything might happen in Germany, and the effects of such an occurrence on the other members of the Teutonic Alliance, and on neutral Powers, must also be taken into consideration. The Crown Prince does not possess the personal qualities which would enable him to exercise the same dominating influence at home and abroad as his father. If the Kaiser's illness should prove fatal, or necessitate tho transference of his powers to the Crown Prince, the whole aspect of the war may be altered. And William the Master Assa-ssin's prospects of recovery, which would not be bright in the most favourable circumstances, will be lessened by the atmosphere of 'worry, excitement, and anxiety in which he lives and from which he cannot free himself.