Who can to-day assert that the course of the world might not have been different had the monarchs of Germany and England been more alike in temperament?
The encircling policy of King Edward was not brought into play until he was persuaded that an understanding with the Emperor William was impossible.
The difficulty the Emperor experienced in adapting himself to the ideas and views of others increased as the years went by, a state of things largely the fault of his entourage.
The atmosphere in which he lived would have killed the hardiest plant.
Whatever the Emperor said or did, whether it was right or wrong, was received with enthusiastic praise and admiration.

Dozens of people were always at hand to laud him to the skies.
For instance, a book was published during the war entitled, "Der Kaiser im Felde," by Dr.Bogdan Kriegen.

The Emperor presented me with a copy when at Kreuznach in May, 1917, and wrote a suitable inscription inside.

The book contained an accurate account of all the Emperor had done during the campaign--but it was entirely superficial matter; where he had driven to, where breakfasted, with whom he had spoken, the jokes he had made, what clothes he wore, the shining light in his eyes, etc., etc.

It also recorded his speeches to the troops; dull and uninteresting words that he addressed to individual soldiers, and much more in the same strain.