GERMAN STATEMAN
PRAISES AMERICA.
COLONIAL SECRETARY PLEASED
WITH KANSAS CITY.
Herr Bernard Dernburg Has Been
Studying American Business
Methods in Cotton In-
dustry of the South.
That America is one of the greatest countries in the world, and that Kansas City is one of the prettiest cities in America is the opinion of Herr Bernard Dernburg, secretary to the German colonies in Emperor William's cabinet, who spent a few hours yesterday visiting friends in Kansas City. Dernburg has just completed a three weeks' tour of inspection of the cotton industry in the southern states and will sail for Europe next week.
"America is a great country," he said last night, as he sat in a private car, shortly before it was pulled out on the Burlington Chicago limited. "I have been all over the southern states and have inspected the cotton industry from every standpoint. I have looked over the plantations, talked with the laborers and, through the kindness of the owners, have been taken through many of the important mills. But my business in Kansas City is one of pleasures. I came from Oklahoma City and couldn't resist the temptation of stopping a few hours in your city."
STUDYING AMERICAN METHODS.
As colonial secretary, Herr Dernburg has visited all of the principal German colonies and particularly those in South Africa. To get American ideas and American methods at first hand was his purpose in coming to this country. In every city throughout the South, commercial bodies have extended courtesies to the distinguished visitor. As soon as he landed, the Seaboard railway offered him use of the president's special car in which Dernburg has traveled for the last three weeks. James G. Cantrell, general Western agent of the Seaboard, has accompanied him on his entire Western trip and has arranged the itinerary as far as possible.
GUEST AT LUNCHEON.
A complimentary luncheon was given to the distinguished German yesterday noon by A. E. Lombard, president of the Corn Belt bank, who has known the secretary for several years. Mr. Lombard and a party of friends accompanied the secretary to the train last night and bade him farewell.
With Herr Dernburg on his present trip is Dr. William Busse, under secretary to the colonies. Dr. Busse does not talk English very fluently and depends on Herr Dernburg for most of his information. Before departing for Germany, Dernburg will remain in Virginia several days and study the tobacco industry in the same thorough manner that the cotton industry has been studied.
An incident yesterday morning in the matter of train schedules came near causing the German secretary to remain in the city over night. When Mr. Cantrell told the Burlington official that he expected to attach the private car to the Burlington Chicago Limited, he was informed that private cars were not attached to that train. It was necessary to wire to Chicago for permission to attach the coach.
Herr Dernburg refused to discuss German politics.
