There is no end to the German Emperor. On Monday
he attended a meeting of German naval architects to hear a lecture by the Naval Constructor, Geheimrath Brinkmann, and when it ended he advanced to the platform and himself made a speech to his almost awestruck audience. His points seem to have been two,—first, that as modern ships are moved rather like galleys than like sailing ships, the power of firing artillery from the bow and stern becomes of the last importance, and the end of naval tactics should be concentrated fire;, and secondly, that the building of ships should be controlled by the Admirals who have to use them, rather, than exclusively by constructors. We must leave the value of the Emperor's opinion to naval experts; but there can be no doubt that the extreme interest shown by his Majesty in the subject will infuse new energy into his shipyards and set officers studying at professional problems with new spirit. That is the true use of a Monarch like William II., and the way he fulfils that function compensates in some degree for the great evil caused by his preternatural] activity of mind,—namely, that it deprives all his higher agents of an independent initiative. Corn cannot grow under so overshadowing a tree.
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