Martin Duberman - Jews Queers Germans: a novel/history

FOR BETH BLUMENTHAL AND RON CORWIN

much more than cousins

The strong-willed Margarethe Krupp has decided to take her complaint directly to the Kaiser. Shes aware that Wilhelm dislikes outspoken women, but in the face of the calamitous charges against her husband Fritz, whos been declared incapacitated, shes placed the familys huge steelworks at Essen in the hands of a management team, and she needs the Kaisers approval. Marga intends to tell Wilhelm that she has made those decisions in order to avoid catastrophe for Germany itself. Given the central importance of the Krupp works to the Reichs growing power, she feels confident the Kaiser will grant her an audience. After all, she tells herself huffily, weve spent a fortune hosting his damn hunting parties at Villa Hgel, not to mention the preposterous preparations when His Highness attends the Meppen weaponry site.

Still, Marga feels uneasy. In the past the Kaiser has treated her with civility, but never warmth. Nor does she much care for him. She finds him bombastic and self-absorbed, and has laughed with friends about his preening wardrobe of 200 uniformsand the 12 valets needed to ensure that his ermine cape is fluffed to perfection and his chestful of medals properly aligned. Wilhelms love of ceremonial display has led one indiscreet friend to claim that the Kaiser prefers unveiling a monument to reading a book. Their merriment, Marga remembers, had alarmed her husband Fritz, and shed made fun of his anxiety: The Kaiser should be afraid of you! shed nearly shouted at him. Let him turn out steel-armored battleships, if hes so clever and powerful!

Wilhelm does grant Marga an interview, but when she refers to His Highness doubtless having heard the rumors regarding Fritzs predilections, the Kaiser bellows, What rumors? What are you talking about, woman?! (He has in fact not only heard the rumors, but personally counseled Krupp not to return to Caprinone of which is he about to acknowledge to Marga).

Capri? Marga tentatively offers. The Italian newspapers and... Capri?

Yes, yes... Fritzs amateur archeology... I know all about that... That yacht of his, the, the... whats it called?

The Maya. Hes refitted it for expeditions to collect aquatic specimens.

Damned nonsense... dilettantism... shirking his duties to Kaiser and country.

Contrary to her intentions, Marga reflexively defends her husband. He enjoys it... its harmless enough. Then she adds with a smirk, He has discovered five new species of worms. Despite herself, Marga laughs.

Whats worms got to do with weaponry?

I dont begrudge him his hobby, your Highness. Its the other, er, hobby, that concerns meconcerns me for Germany.

Stop talking in riddles, Marga! My patience is limited.

Very well, Majesty. Someone clipped an article from the Neapolitan scandal sheet, Mattino, and sent it to me anonymously.

Yes, yesso?

It describes what it calls the immoral festivities that have been taking place on Capri. Other Italian newspapers have picked up the Mattino story. Those clippings as well were sent to me.

Immoral? What does any of this have to do with me?!

It has to do with Fritz and... and teenage boys... Not that the news surprised me.

What news?! Damn it, woman, I have three ministers waiting outside! Did you expect to spend the day?!

My apologies, Majesty. To come directly to the point: Fritzs beautiful home on Capri... the renowned gardens... In recognition, the governing council of Capri has made him an honorary citizen and

damn it, Marga! Youve got two minutes!

She swallows hard: Fritz is accused of impropriety with teenage boys. His special favorite is an eighteen-year-old barber named Adolfo Schiano. Should I go on?

Wilhelm stops pacing. Who accuses him? His expression is solemn.

Last week it was the Social Democratic Party paper, Vorwrts. It accuses Fritz of corrupting youth. Hes said to exemplify capitalist culture at its grossest. The SPD calls for his arrest and trial under Paragraph 175 of the German penal code.

the what? Wilhelm loudly interrupts.

Paragraph 175, Majesty... it criminalizes sexual intercourse between men. Fritz has initiated libel proceedings against the paper.

The Kaiser scowls. Socialist scum... Who gives a damn what Vorwrts thinks?!

I do, your Majesty. Fritz and I have not shared a bed for years. Shes frightened at her own boldness.

You think such matters interest me?! Have you lost your senses, madame?

Marga is cowed but defiant. There have been orgies, Your Highness. Fritz invited the Grand Duke of Hesse and Prince Aribert of Anhalt as his guests to

stop it! Stop it this minute! Wilhelm thunders. Youre a hysterical woman! Leave me at once! He turns and marches off to an adjoining room.

That same day Kaiser Wilhelm orders the Berlin police to ransack the offices of Vorwrts, to break into the private lockers of Social Democratic members of the Reichstag, and to enter the homes of subscribers to seize copies of the issue containing the accusations against Fritz Krupp. He fails to intimidate the socialist editors of Vorwrts. They denounce the Kaiser in print for passing sentence before a pending trial has even commenced, thus placing the court in the invidious position either of contradicting the Kaiser or of creating the dreadful impression that his opinion has influenced its judgment. Soon after, to the Kaisers embarrassment, chief prosecutor Hugo Isenbiel announces that hes dropping the libel case against the editors of Vorwrtsthe implication is that Krupp is guilty as charged.