Herr Kaufmann, now a citizen of Berlin of some dis-
tinction in his city, was in 1882 a rather violent politician who supported Radical candidates for the Reichstag. Apparently, he gave some special offence, for, being an officer of the Landwehr, he was brought to trial on a charge of opposition and sentenced to lose his grade. The Emperor, however, interfered, and he was finally compelled only to retire, retaining his rank as officer. He has in the succeeding nineteen years become more prominent, and was this year elected Second Burgomaster, an office so important that the consent of the King is necessary. The King has refused it, thus establishing the principle that no officer who ever entered the Landwehr, however long he may have retired, can ever be pardoned for opposition, however constitutional, to the Royal policy. The refusal, with its, to us, almost incredible exhibi- tion of vindictiveness, has created excitement in Berlin, and. can hardly, one would think, increase the desire to enter the Landwehr service. The apology offered is that the King dis- likes the present politics of Herr Kaufmann, but even that seems a little too small for Royalty.
