eading of a fable so childish. When William II., 29 years old,
mounted the throne, the entire world said of him that his aim was the
acquirement of the laurels of war. In spite of this for twenty-six years
he has shown that this accusation was absurd and has proved himself to
be the most honest and most dependable protector of European peace. In
fact, the very circle of enemies which now dares to call him a military
despot thirsting for glory, has year in and year out ridiculed him as a
ruler, whose provocation to the very limit was an amusement absolutely
fraught with no danger. He who has never been misled by the fiery
enthusiasm of youth nor by the full strength of ripe manhood to adorn
his brow with the bloody halo of glory, should he suddenly, when his
hair is turned gray, have turned into a Caesar, an Attila? Do you
believe that, Americans?

It is a fact in times of peace there have been certain differences of
opinion between the Emperor and his people. Although at all times the
honesty of his intentions was elevated above every doubt, the one or
other impulsive moves he took to obtain their realization exposed him to
criticism at home. Today one may safely admit that--today, when of these
trifling disputes not even a breath, not even a shadow, remains. Never
before has his whole people, his whole nation, in every grade of
education, in all classes, in all parties, stood behind him so
absolutely without reserve as now, when in the last, the very last hour,
and driven by direst need, he finally drew the sword to ward off an
attack from three sides, long ago prepared.

Our nation and our Emperor have not wanted this war and are not to be
blamed for it. Even the "White Book" of the German Government, by the
very uncontrovertible language of its documents, must convince every
impartial being of this fact. And day by day the overwhelming evidence
of the plot systematically hatched and systematically carried out under
the guidance of England, which put before us the alternative of cutting
our way through or being annihilated, is increasing.

*No Treason to Austria Considered.*

It may be that the catastrophe, so far as we are concerned, might have
been staved off once more if we would have disregarded the obligation of
our alliance and would have left Austria in the lurch--the Austria which
did not want anything else than to put a stop to the nasty work of a
band of assassins organized by a neighboring State. But i