“Express my fullest sympathy with the movement regarding the exchange of professors.  We are very well satisfied with Professor Peabody, the first exchange professor, and thankful to have him.  He comes to me in my house, an honourable and welcome guest.  My hearty thanks also to Mr. Speyer, for his fine gift for the erection of a professorship in Berlin.  The exchange of the learned is the best means for both nations to know the inner nature of each other, and from thence spring mutual respect and love, which are securities for peace.”

The idea of the exchange, as described by Professor John W. Burgess, of Columbia University, the first Roosevelt professor to Germany, is

“an exchange of educators which has for its purpose the bringing of the men of learning of one country into other countries and by a comparison of fundamental ideas to arrive at a world-philosophy and a world-morality upon which the world’s peace and the world’s civilization may finally and firmly rest.”

The conception of a world-philosophy and a world-morality upon which the world’s peace and civilization may rest is not new, being now a little over 1900 years old, and, moreover, educators and men of science in all countries are constantly exchanging ideas by personal visits, correspondence, and publications; but in any case, the Emperor’s exchange system has the advantage that it brings the educators into touch with large numbers of the rising generation in America and Germany and undoubtedly helps towards a better mutual understanding of the relations, and in especial the economic relations, of the two countries.

It has worked well, and the Emperor has encouraged it by showing constant hospitality to the American professors who have come to Berlin since the system was instituted.  One or two episodes have given rise to a diplomatic question as to whether or not exchange professors and their wives have the privilege of being presented at Court.  The question has practically been decided in the negative.  This, however, does not prevent the Emperor entertaining the professors at his palace, or making the acquaintance of the professors’ wives on other than Court ceremonious occasions.

XIII.

BEFORE THE “NOVEMBER STORM”

1906-1907

In the domestic life of the Emperor during these years fall two or three events of more than ordinary interest.  From the dynastic point of view was of importance the birth of a son and heir to the Crown Prince in the Marble Palace at Potsdam.