It is less easy, however, to understand that responsible advisers, who are bound to distinguish between reality and comedy, should also allow themselves to be deceived and draw false political conclusions from such events.  In 1918 the Emperor, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Dr. von Seidler, went to the South Slav provinces to investigate matters there.  He found, of course, the same welcome there as everywhere, curiosity brought the people out to see him; pressure from the authorities on the one hand, and hope of Imperial favours on the other, brought about ovations similar to those in the undoubtedly dynastic provinces.  And not only the Emperor, but von Seidler returned in triumph, firmly convinced that everything stated in Parliament or written in the papers respecting the separatist tendencies of the South Slavs was pure invention and nonsense, and that they would never agree to a separation from the Habsburg Empire.

The objects of these demonstrations of enthusiasm and dynastic loyalty were deceived by them, but I repeat that those who were to blame were not the monarchs, but those who were the instigators and organisers of such scenes and who omitted to enlighten the monarchs on the matter.  But any such explanation could only be effectual if all those in the immediate neighbourhood of the ruler concurred in a similar reckless disregard of truth.  For if one out of ten people declares such scenes to be not genuine and the others contradict him and assert that the demonstrations of the “love of the people” are overwhelming, the monarch will always be more inclined to listen to the many pleasant rather than to the few unpleasant counsels.  Willingly or unwillingly, all monarchs try, very humanly, to resist awakening out of this hypnotic complacency.  Naturally, there were men in the entourage of the German Emperor whose pride kept them from making too large an offering to the throne, but as a rule their suffering in the Byzantine atmosphere of Germany was greater than their enjoyment.  I always considered that the greatest sycophants were not those living at court, but generals, admirals, professors, officials, representatives of the people and men of learning—­people whom the Emperor met infrequently.

During the second half of the war, however, the leading men around the Kaiser were not Byzantine—­Ludendorff certainly was not.  His whole nature was devoid of Byzantine characteristics.  Energetic, brave, sure of himself and his aims, he brooked no opposition and was not fastidious in his choice of language.  To him it was a matter of indifference whether he was confronted by his Emperor or anyone else—­he spoke unrestrainedly to all who came in his way.

The numerous burgomasters, town councillors, professors of the universities, deputies—­in short, men of the people and of science—­had for years prostrated themselves before the Emperor William; a word from him intoxicated them—­but how many of them are there now amongst those who condemn the former regime with its abuses and, above all, the Emperor himself!