I have been waiting for this moment for forty-nine years!” What joyous words. The
greatest joy, however, also contains within it a certain amount of suffering. In 1871, how
elated Wilhelm I and Bismarck were when they occupied the seat of power in Versailles
and accepted the French document of submission. The result, however, was to bring
about this war. Even though the delight of Wilhelm I and Bismarck was unmatched, a
certain amount of suffering was inherent in it. From 1800 to 1815, Napoleon trampled
over the German people, divided their country, occupied their lands, and disbanded
their armies. The King of Prussia submitted, and proclaimed himself a vassal. How
elated Napoleon was! The result was the war of 1871. Even though the delight of
Napoleon was unmatched, it contained within it a certain amount of suffering. From
1789 to 1790, the mighty armies of the Holy Alliance, Germany and Austria, inspired
by deep hatred for democracy and freedom in France, invaded French territory several
times and surrounded Paris. The result was the rise of Napoleon, who in turn invaded
Germany, much to the distress of the German people. When we look at history in the
light of cause and effect, joy and suffering are often closely interrelated, inseparable.
When the joy of one side reaches an extreme, the suffering of the other side will
inevitably also reach an extreme. When we look at the contents of this peace treaty, is
it any different from the way that Napoleon treated Germany? Is there any difference
as regards the dismemberment of Germany, or German lands being occupied, or the
German army being disbanded? Clemenceau’s great joy is the Germans’ great sorrow.
I guarantee that in ten or twenty years, you Frenchmen will yet again have a splitting
headache. Mark my words.
Karl and Puyi (July 21,1919)
A newspaper reporter, seeking an interview with Karl, the former emperor of Austria, now in exile in Switzerland, was met by his chamberlain, who stated, “The emperor
did not retire of his own accord and thus hopes for the restoration of the monarchy.
His seclusion, and lack of involvement in politics, are only temporary.” No one who
has once been emperor does not want to be emperor again. No one who has once
been an official does not want to be an official again. This is simply a long-established
psychological bent. Westerners like to be thorough in doing things. Historically, many
kings have been put to death. The execution of Charles I by the English in 1648, of
Louis XVI by the French in 1793, and of Nicolas II by the Russians in 1918 all took
place because it was felt that this was the only way to stamp out the roots of trouble.
Napoleon was imprisoned on St. Helena, and today, Wilhelm II, in being submitted like
a latter-day Napoleon to the judgment of the Allies, can on the whole be regarded as
having been let off very lightly. Both Karl in exile in Switzerland and Puyi in seclusion