THE KAISER IN A NEW LIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1929, Page 5

THE KAISER IN A NEW LIGHT

(United Press Association.—By Electric Tel eg rap h.—Copy r igh t.) (Received this day at 11.25. a.m.). LONDON, Feb. 12. T he ex-Kaiser's preface to tlie German edition of Air Ponsonb.v’s “Letters of Empress Frederick,” written by him at Doom a few weeks ago. is available in London to-day. It is a remarkable human document, lit consists ol two thousand words, giving a splendid dignified defence ol the name of a mother whom he describes as a great charming lady ol enchanting beauty, with great intellectual gilts, and a burning desire to ho.!p a new country where her lot was east, though faced with a litc vastly different from her pleasant hfe in England. Prussians are not Englishmen. They have a dillcrciit story of the.past, and diHermit traditions. He writes of the'inspiring love tor her husband, which was returned with the same fervour. He proceeds to refer to duels with Prince Bismarck, stating: “No bridge was possible between the Crown Princess, who kept up a lively political correspondence with her father, am! that superhumanly great, strong, fitted Bismarck.” THE KAISER’S KINDLY CRITICISM. OF HIS MOTHER. LONDON, Feb. 12. Tlie Kaiser in his preface to his Mother’s letters traces the tragedy of her life when her husband's death was certain. “One commandment ruled her. which was to save the life of her beloved husband, but into the desperate struggle for her husband's life her own happiness had gone with the knowledge it was all too late.’ He says bitterness then penetrated her heavy sorrow, and everything wounded her. She had a quick tongue. As she spoke, so she wrote. She saw everything in shadows and everything was hostile.

He quotes his mother’s letter addressed to Queen Victoria:—“l grow angry and reply to unpleasant remarks which 1 hear with vehemence. I am not always prudent, but these remarks roust* up within one a ui*d defiance, and make me oppose the control.”

The Kaiser adds:—“Grandmother was so noble, clever and pre-eminent-ly wise in motherly goodness. she smoothed over things where she could, but in the end merciless destiny overshadowed the mother’s life with grief. Whether one 'agrees with her or looks at things differently, one must not forget she experienced the worst fate that could befall the lot of any Princess. Therefore, it is not just to blame her for the frequently unjust words she wrote in her wild defiance, or when she lost control. She was fatabove most of her contemporaries m intellect and noble intentions. She was tbe unbappiest and most to be pitied woman who ever wore a crown. With reflections similar to these evervonc must read the Empress s letters. The fate of three generations who succeeded each other, is bound j„ tbe tragic fate of the Empress. Furthermore, as the destiny of Germany is also hound up in these events, the letters will remain for all tone ir r eat historical documents for future generations to read with emotion, and not withhold a just verdict.