THE KAISER AND THE PRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81873, 24 October 1906, Page 4

THE KAISER AND THE PRESS.

A mos, u'iiglitkil controversy is being waged throughout the length and bieadih <>f Germany concerning the attitude ul the K.n~cr towards 'he I'iess. li all arose from seme 11marks made by his M.ije-.y 1 , a company "1 l-i' iK'h tourists wlv-iii he entertained at liergen during' his lecent along the Norwegian (east. The K.a-er said it was 100 had that Ihe only i>■ ! pass any examination wa- tliat ul . amalism. Irre-ponsible youths of years might write articled in (Inmost famous journals, which would echo through tilt wor.'d and move men mightily. Doctor* must stud, and be examined, so also lawyer-. I he journalist influences opinion, anc 1 is as often as noi incapable T iios. u;tcrances fell like a bombshell .nnong ocrman pressmen. Thc\ knew the Kaiser refercd to t■ I'■ ni ra uiet than to foreign pressmen. and fo; more than a week tiny have been telling; tiie Kaiser, with more or less politeness, what tlicy think of htm. One journal says that an editor's chair must be pretty much like the Kaiser's throne, as they are both filled with men who have passed no examination. The only difference is thai whereas the editor if unfit f ur his post is speedily got rid of, (he Kaiser remains, fit or unfit, firmly fixed on hif throne. Another newspaper wants to know about the Kai-er's Court functionaries, advisers, favorites and Ministers. They exercise iremend»us influence, and are absolutely irresponsible. Have they passed any examinations ?

One and all ask, How is the Kaiser competent to pass judgment on journalists and their art? He seldom, if ever, reads a German paper. If ru.mor be true, lie only reads "The rimes'' and "Le Figaro." His sys-.<-m of obtaining the opinion of the press is something like this: In every Ministry, including War and Marine, (here is a press bureau ruled by an official, whose business it is to Ait nui paragraphs and articles from ™ie press which, in his opinion, will merest the Kaiser. Tlu-se exccrpls ire pasted on large sheets of white paper and -sent to the Chance,lor's office, where (hey are sifted ;iga'n. i)aily the sifted extracts are sent to the Kaiser, who spends a few minutes 'n looking ai them and making marginal notes in blue pencil, which r.pflen caus'ie and sometimes humor>us. 1 :ie Kaiser's notes and com n'-nis are dien sent back to th p Chanvcllor, and again distributed to the ramus Ministries. In somewhat obirjue lang-uagc the ts 'accused by the pained editors of the German ore's witli ingratitude. Have thev !»! fur_ 15 years been singing hi;)raises. J Have they not recorded his loings. his speeches; have tlicy not admired his versatility ? He has been auded by them as soldier and sailor, ,is architect and patron of arts, apoct and preacher, and this is their reward! He largely owes his fame '0 the men of (he press. If thev conspired to ignore him he would" sink 'o the love! of an ordinary Emperor. The discussion fills the German presto the exclusion of all else, and is a velcome subject for (he silly season, which in Germany is sillier than in nest countries.