He added that he would go his way regardless of the views or opinions of the day.
The speech has raised a storm of criticism in Berlin, and has depressed the Bourse.
The Kaiser, in referring to his grandfather's connection with Konigsberg, said: "Here he placed the Crown of Prussia on his own head. It was conferred by the grace of God alone, and not by parliaments or popular decisions. He was the chosen instrument of heaven.
"We must always keep our armaments ready and in a state of perfection in view of the vast progress made by the neighbouring Powers.
"The Queen's Court, which is associated with Konigsberg, teaches women that their principal task does not lie in public meetings, seeking to attain proposed rights wherein women emulate men, but in quiet work for their homes and families.
"I myself am an instrument of the Lord, and without heeding the opinions of the day I go my way, devoted solely to the prosperity and peaceful development of the Fatherland."
• From time to time we hear of the wonderful conveniences that are now being provided on the latest and most up-to-date liners which cross the Atlantic, but probably the attempt is not often made to create a semblance of country life on the foredeck as a contrast to the Piccadilly of the 'midships promenade, as was the case (says the Dominion) on the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Turakina, which arrived from London at Wellington on Thursday.
The deck only needed to be turfed and the bulwarks fixed up with greenery in the form of a hedge to complete the illusion - Arcadia on the high seas.
Lady Islington brought her own cow - a very nice-looking Jersey - with her, in order that she and her daughter could have fresh milk daily.
The cow was looked after by a besmocked farm-hand, to the entertainment of the sailors, who it is alleged, talked of the weather and the crops instead of the girls ashore and "yo, heave ho!" The cow was not by any means alone, for it was on speaking terms with a number of sheep in an adjacent pen, whilst the clucking of a number of fowls brought out by Lady Islington lent life and rural homeliness to the scene.
- ODT, 29.8.1910.
