From The Eagle Rising: The Story of Prussia's Arrival On the World Stage, pub. 1989 by Professor Reinicke Herz
For Prussian-German diplomacy and worldwide prestige, the World Tour of 1893-4 was a remarkable success. Kaiser Friedrich III had, of course, traveled regularly between the capitals of Europe. But he was not so well known outside of Europe, and he felt that once Prussia’s Imperial Navy had new, modern warships that could finally protect the Empire’s colonies, that its presence should be made known to the Empire and the world at large through goodwill visits.
Hence, this voyage saw the first visit of a Kaiser to Prussian colonies in Africa, Abu Dhabi, Borneo, China, Samoa and Peru (the Kaiser had been to the Virgin Islands on holiday). It was also the Kaiser’s first state visit to Hong Kong, Japan, Argentina and Brazil.
The first notable stop in the Kaiser’s itinerary was to Alexandria in preparation for the official opening of the Suez Canal. Visits to various outlying Prussian colonies took the next couple of weeks, and then he undertook a state visit to the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong in a relatively successful effort to improve relations with one of Prussia’s most recent major enemies.
In Tokyo, the Kaiser and KronPrinz paid a state visit to Emperor Meiji, which improved relations greatly and was seen in a very good light by the people. Kaiser Friedrich also held private discussions with Prime Minister Ito, who had used elements of the previous Prussian Imperial Constitution to form the current Japanese Imperial government. Friedrich, tired and in poor spirits, was still able to recommend changes to Ito in the direction of the liberalized German constitution. It was a carefully scripted affair, with great lengths taken not to offend the Japanese, whose culture remained very conservative, but led by more open minded leaders.
It was in Tokyo, after a long day of treading lightly upon eggshells, that the Kaiser confided to his son that he felt a great degree of fatigue, as well as discomfort from a pain in his side. Concerned also because he had grown hoarse and his voice was beginning to leave him, he suggested cutting the final day’s activities short, rather than let his more reckless and more conservative son take over the discussions.
The next stop was to coal in Samoa, and the royals enjoyed Christmas dinner with Rev. Breitenfeld, whose father had founded the Prussian colony there a half-century earlier. In Peru, the Tour paused for a few days for the Kaiser to rest, and to vacation in the mountains above Nazca. The KronPrinz took a tour of ancient Inca ruins in the mountains and on the plains nearby.
When the Tour arrived in New York, Kaiser Friedrich was feeling better, and was more rested. While it was not his first trip to the United States since his coronation in 1880, it was the German Emperor’s first official state visit. The American people received the royal party warmly. The Americans had always considered Prussia to be a friend, at least to a higher degree than did most of Europe consider it so.
The Tour’s stop in New York was outwardly a festive occasion. Only a very few among the US and Prussian governments, and among the flagship’s crew, were aware of the terrible underlying tension which existed behind the scenes.
