A great deal of the increased intercourse between the two countries is due to the personal endeavours of the Emperor.  What his motives are may be conjectured with fair accuracy from a general knowledge of his “up-to-date” character, the commercial policy of his Empire, and the events of recent years.  He has a whole-hearted admiration for the American character and genius, so akin in many ways to his own character and genius; and if he refuses to recommend for Germans similar institutions to those in States, federated in a manner somewhat analogous to that of the kingdoms and States composing his own Empire, it is not from want of liberality of mind, but because they are wholly opposed to Prussian tradition, because his people do not demand them, and because he honestly believes that in respect of topographical situation, climate, historical development, and race feelings and sentiment, the safeguards and requirements of Germany are widely different from those of America.

As a young man he naturally had very little to do with America or Americans, though among his schoolboy playmates was a young American, Poulteney Bigelow, who afterwards wrote an excellent appreciation of the fine traits in the Emperor’s character.  At the same time the Emperor himself has stated that the country always interested him, and recent visitors bear out the statement fully.  In 1889, a year after his accession, he expressed his admiration for America, when receiving the American Ambassador, Mr. Phelps.  “From my youth on,” the Emperor said,

“I have had a great admiration for that powerful and progressive commonwealth which you are called on to represent, and the study of its history in peace and war has had for me at all times a special interest.  Among the many distinguished characteristics of your people, which draw to them the attention of the whole world, are their enterprising spirit, their love of order, and their talent for invention.  The predominant sentiment of both peoples is that of affinity and tested friendship, and the future can only strengthen the heartiness of their relations.”

More than twenty years have elapsed since the words were uttered, and the prediction has been fulfilled.

Scores of anecdotes, it need hardly be said, are current in connexion with the Emperor and American friends.  One of them is that of an American, Mr. Frank Wyberg, the husband of a lady who, with her children, used often to visit Mr. and Mrs. Armour on their yacht Uttowana at Kiel, there met the Emperor, and was invariably kindly greeted by him.  Mr. Wyberg was summoned with his friend, General Miles, to an audience of the Emperor in Berlin.  Before going to the palace Mr. Wyberg went to a well-known picture-dealer in the city and bought a small but artistic painting costing about L1,000.  He had the picture neatly done up, and carried it off under his arm to the hotel where he was to meet General Miles.  As they were