The German Emperor paid on Wednesday a long-promised visit to
Emden and made a speech which shows how constantly his thoughts turn to the sea and to sea-power. The Great Elector and Frederick the Great, he said, had paid great attention to Emden, and it was no merit of his to follow in their footsteps. Prussia was now first in Germany, its King had the "domestic power" which no Emperor of Germany possessed, and it was possible for bim to take up the tasks of his great predecessors. Emden had borne its commercial decline with patience and courage, but better days were approaching, the canal is dug, Emden is accessible to sea-going vessels—they had formerly to anchor two miles off—and he trusted by the maintenance of peace to ensure to the citizens of Emden their opportunity. If a Sovereign had ever been a successful guide in trade Germany under such spirited leadership would speedily grow rich, but history seems to show that it is quiet traders, intent mainly on their own gains,who build up enriching trades. German merchants in Kiaochow complain that they are "guided" and " protected " and " encouraged " to death.
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