But though we agree with the Times correspondent as to
the cause of Dr. von Holleben's recall, we cannot but feel a certain sympathy with him in his fall. It is true he told the Kaiser the things that the Kaiser wanted to hear rather than the things that were, but that is the common result when a sub- servient agent is working for a headstrong, self-willed master. The Times correspondent says Dr. von Holleben failed to Icquaint the Kaiser with the true state of American feeling, Ind that he reported what he thought would be pleasing; that he allowed the Kaiser to offer a statue of Frederick the Great to the United States, and failed to warn him that it would be coldly received ; and generally that he did not keep the Kaiser from making blunders in his treatment of America. No doubt; but can we feel sure that if he had spoken the plain truth it would have been believed, or even well received P It might merely have hastened his recall. It is not every one who can "smell the parasite through the prophet" when the prophet is prophesying things that please the Royal ear. Dr. von Holleben is succeeded pro tem. by Baron von Sternberg,— a good appointment, for the temporary Ambassador is a man who really knows America, and is personally very popular at Washington, and with good cause, for his is a frank and charming personality.
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