 Parts of call on blue horizons far at the world's end strange fascinating lands back in us Did us rebel and their exotic splendors come with us as we head folks of call In the heart of Europe stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Swiss Alps lies Germany Her medieval cities still seem to have come to life from some vast picture book of legends Even the industrial Germany of today Conceals many a village whose customs are those of feudal days And whose youths and maidens where the colorful peasant costumes the origins of which are lost in the shadowy past Crossing the windy North Sea our steamer sails up the River Elba and anchors at the docks of Hamburg largest seaport in Europe and Distributing center for all the continent in the great public squares our enormous markets and the business section is connected with the Suburbs by innumerable tiny canals on which small steamers ply from morning to night From Hamburg we take a train across the province of Hanover birthplace of a line of English Kings and Find ourselves in the old University town of Magdeburg early home of Martin Luther. It is a summer afternoon in the year 150 Young Martin Luther and his father are walking home through the dense forest Martin Martin yes, I have spoken to you three times. Oh, I'm sorry father. I was thinking that is what you always say nowadays when I speak to you Walk faster. It's beginning to rain. You see father. It's a good thing to be interested in your study of law my son But lately you are spending too much time discussing religion with the monks. I'm interested in what they have to say It was your way that I could study law. I will not argue with you again on that subject Rick Martin and let us take shelter in the woodsman's cottage at the end of the road Himmer but late keep away from the trees father Martin my son, are you all right speak to me? Got you and I killed the lightning struck you Martin. Yes, come get up We must hurry home. It is a sign from heaven father a Saul received a sign on the road to the master. You're talking foolishly my boy. You are still days I know what I'm saying. I've been thinking about it for a long time. I've done nothing Now God has struck me down with the lightning give me a sign that I must follow you what what are you talking about? I'm going to enter the monastery at earth, but your mother and I will have no one if you do you You can't leave us alone. God has called me father Can't you see I have no choice? Tomorrow you and mother can walk with me as far as the gates of the monastery The blessing of Almighty God father son and holy ghost to send upon you Martin Luther May you be blessed in the priestly order and May you offer a pleasing oblation for the sins and offenses of the people and to Almighty God To whom be honor and glory Forever and ever. I'm in my son. I've come to ask your advice father I will be glad to help you if I can sit here. Thank you You know I am a rich man. Yes, I know I've been told that by the payment of a certain sum of money I may obtain remission of my sin. Oh, you are not the first to come to me with such a tale my son Where did you hear it father John? Tetzel is teaching it. Do you think you can buy your way into heaven? Oh, no father, but my friend here. Wilhelm Stetler was granted my son I Have known for a long time that the power of holy church to grant remission of sins is being abused and even sold for money I am only a poor monk But what one man can do I will Those who teach that Absolution may be granted by money alone are blasphemers Yes, if money is needed to carry on the work of the church surely indulgence may be granted to the man who gives it I cannot help you my son You did not come for my advice But in the hope that my opinion would strengthen your desire, but father these abuses must stop And I am determined to do what I can to stop them Months go by During which Martin Luther finds himself opposed to many powerful dignitaries of the church Finally on October 1st 15 17 Martin Luther addresses a crowd in the great square before the cathedral at Wittenberg I have prepared 95 points on which I descend from the teachings of the established church It is for the high authorities of the church to answer them Here they are I will mail my 95 these years to the very doors of the cathedral September 15 20 His Majesty Charles the Fifth Emperor the Holy Roman Empire Martin Luther we have been empowered by the Holy Father of Rome to hear the case against you. You're charged with heresy The Holy Father has issued a ball of excommunication against you, but it will not be read until we have heard the case Are you ready to stand trial? I am ready your Majesty This parchment before me is the edict of excommunication At your eyes rest upon it while you answer my questions. I am ready to answer sir These books on the table are said to be yours Written over a period of three years Did you write them? Yes your Majesty I wrote them all do you wish to examine them? I know them well, then do you know they contain dangerous heresies? I believe them to contain the truth. You must recount You must admit they are lies, but they are not live under penalty of excommunication. You must recount I Neither can nor will revoke anything I have written in those books For it is neither safe nor right to act against my conscience God help me Silence I Hand you the people edict. I will take it and Throw it into the fire Oh But Martin Luther was not burned at the stake His teachings formed the beginnings of Protestant churches throughout the world in all the German states Lutherans grew more and more powerful and exercised the decisive influence in the disastrous 30 years war which ravaged the country a hundred years later It is the year 1735 In a small room in the Royal Palace Furnished almost as severely as the cell of a monk Frederick 1st King of Prussia has summoned his eldest son also named Frederick. I am here father I am here father. You speak like a damned Frenchman. I've always told you I hated the German language father It is harsh and gutter when I am king you may never be King of Prussia I should not mind that father you should not mind no so you would rather spend your time with your Latin books and your Flute and your French companions of course I would why should I wish to become king after a lifetime of seeing what a king is like Oh, you ever has been harsh and cruel He treated my mother's if she were an animal you think there's nothing worth while in the world But discipline discipline discipline. I'm sick of the very word I'm sick of being made to eat coarse food and sleep on hard beds and be cold and miserable Because you believe that's the way to become accustomed to the life of a soldier. I don't want to be a soldier But if I must I want to be a man first and I suppose being a man means you want to marry Amelia the daughter of the English king Yes father. Oh, she is adorable and what a queen she will be and your sister has fallen in love with Amelia's brother The Prince of Wales. Yes. Oh a very good alliance that will make for Prussia with Wilhelmina married to the King of England So you will be glad to hear the news I have for you this morning What is it you are not to marry Amelia the father nor is will immediately marry the Prince of Wales This time in spite of you and your sister and your mother. I will say what is to be done I have arranged a marriage for you with Elizabeth Christina cousin of Charles of Austria. I won't marry her. I'll tell you I won't you will marry her you will learn that I am your master Five years later his father dies and young Frederick becomes Frederick the second Changes from an irresponsible prince to a serious minded king takes personal charge of the government Revises laws institutes tax reforms builds up the army into an invincible fighting machine Becomes known as Frederick the Great Heart and soul for Prussia. He makes many friends at home, but enemies abroad Finally one morning. He sits in his study dictating a letter to Maria Theresa. Go on go on right as I speak I write your majesty frankly that she may see I have nothing to conceal But neither have I anything to fear The majesty has not answered my questions as to whether her military preparations are directed against Prussia If this letter is not answered, we shall be obliged to interpret it as an unfriendly act You may enter Your majesty captain mother ordered me to report you at once. There is a letter he intercepted And the alliance between France Sweden and Austria is an accomplished fact if we orderly Yes, sir my compliments to the general ask him to come to me at once We'll cross the Saxon frontier before dawn on Friday For seven years Frederick almost alone fights Austria France Russia Saxony and Sweden And at the end of that war Prussia has become one of the great powers Frederick bends his tremendous energy to restoring his country from the balcony of his palace He speaks to the people And you mark how to be free from taxation for two years Those whose lines have been wasted in the war will receive corn for seed and all Horses will be distributed throughout Russia to thumbs where they may be needed But Prussia's rising Sun is not always clouded by wars from her ancient cities and villages come poets and musicians Some of them to be numbered among the world's immortals Such a one is Geertig poet philosopher statesman scientist His life strangely twisted by a tragic love He pours out his heart in his verse As he grows older his friends are few But among them is Johan von Schiller poet and playwright Who while visiting Gertig one day notice the sheet of music on the poets desk Why good there? What's that music there? Oh, it's another composition sent me by that young Ludwig von Beethoven another Yes, he's constantly sending music. He's written to fit my verses you speakers if you thought nothing of it Have on Beethoven is a very brilliant young man. No doubt, but I am not interested in him But Gertig have you never heard him play? No, you should by all means I've seen him sit down at the piano and improvise so brilliantly that you'd swear to the composition. He'd labored on for weeks. I Wish you'd let him see your post my post. Oh, I know it's the pride of your heart All the more reason why the music should be written by someone like young Beethoven Unhampered by traditions and not afraid to compose as he feels no Sheila My Faust as you know is my heart Perhaps I shall never let anyone see it. You know, I have been writing it and changing it for years But don't you see a man who admires you as Beethoven must It's precisely the person to interpret what you have written and set to music. No, I can't see it. She left Ten years pass Gertig at last finishes his great Faust But he has remained firm in his refusal to meet Ludwig von paid open Whose brilliance is a sensation of the day Because the Empress has sent word that she wishes to meet him Goethe has come to Teplitz in Bohemia where he has encountered a friend And at last my ambition is to be fulfilled What ambition bit enough to have you meet Ludwig van Beethoven. He has been here a week The court is mad about him Beethoven again I tell you there is no one like him here Gertig as you will see when you meet him I must admit he has genius. I heard him play last night, and you did not speak to him No, when you know how he has longed for years to meet you Oh, there was such a crowd and of course the Grand Duke and the Empress and all their party pester on the piano when they finished It is something that you have at last heard him play. I am to meet him this afternoon Tomorrow I will let you know what we say to each other every word if you wish it I know you will be charmed with him as everyone is I hope so. I must warn you. He is growing very deaf. A deaf composer? Yes What a tragedy How are you? What about all these people? Pardon me. I did not hear you. What about all these people? Oh Let them wait. Come let us go to the court. You will offend the Grand Duke and Duchess. What do I care? You know I have dreamed of meeting you since I was a child You must not think I haven't appreciated the music you sent me It's very hard for me to accept kindness from anyone. I have never known just how I could reply to you Oh, that was nothing You speak as if I had offended you in some other way. Frankly, I'm disappointed beyond words at your reception of my playing What why? Oh, you mustn't say that it it moved me very greatly. You're trying to be kind. I Looked at you the moment I finished If I had seen in your face what I feel when I have read one of your poems I should have been transported But I saw nothing but you don't you must know how stimulating it is to gain the applause of those who understand If you do not reckon me as your equal who will Must I play to the mob to find understanding? I see I have been right all these years in the refusing to meet you. I knew we should never understand each other Good day, Beethoven Oh Yes, I have met him and he spoke to me as no one has spoken for years. I will not endure it, but he now Hereafter, I will ignore him, but her good there one slight misunderstanding Oh, I should have been with you to explain you to each other surely will not Yeah, I will never discuss this young man again Whatever overtures he may make to me in the future will be answered by silence The two better geniuses never met again Both died a few years later Lonely and disillusioned Both left to Germany a priceless heritage of melody and song But while the German people were learning the tender leader of Girti Otto von Bismarck is preparing to teach a doctrine that is to shape the world In 1862 he has made premiere and minister of foreign affairs A few days later. He makes his first public announcement of his guiding policy Russia must collect her forces and hold them in reserve for a favorable moment The great questions of the time will be decided not by speeches and resolutions, but by blood and iron Otto von Bismarck's power grows In 1867 he engineers the North German Confederation and frames the new Constitution Five years later. It is his strategy of blood and iron which wins the Franco-Prussian war Finally the German Empire is created The Prussian King becomes Emperor and Otto von Bismarck as Imperial Chancellor reads the proclamation We will helm by Christ of God, King of Prussia Regarded as our duty to the whole Fatherland to respond to the summons of the Allied German princes and free cities And to assume the German Imperial title 1889 Wilhelm II descends the German throne. He summons the Chancellor to a private audience Awaiting Bismarck's arrival. He talks to his friend the Grand Duke of Bond But surely you do not think of asking for Bismarck's resignations. I haven't decided yet, but but I'm Happily tired of him. He's always Lecturing and making long speeches about his experience Now now he's grooming his son to take his place when he's gone I know I must feel your majesty with his long-winded tirades But if I were you I would retain both the Bismarck's for the time being Yes, right But I shall have to teach him he is not the only man who can dictate German policy I think it was being given a title that has made the old man insufferable It's Highness Prince Otto von Bismarck. You'd better go. Yes, your majesty Good morning, your majesty Your grace. Good morning, Highness. I'm just leaving. I Have sent for you Because I have heard you disapprove of my attitude in the Russian matter our treaty with Russia Expires next year The safety of the Empire depends upon its renewal. Why should my cousin not wish to renew it? He is the heart of Russia first and your cousin seconds sir Bismarck There are other men than yourself to consider when formulating the policy of the Empire I have held the Empire together for a long time, but I am Emperor now There is another matter to discuss I Have reversed your decision in the minus strike your majesty I am trying to provoke them in the open rebellion so they can be dealt with I mean to deal with them in my own way What way that I shall tell you when my plans are completed Now you have our permission to retire The breach between the Emperor and his Chancellor widens a dozen times Bismarck is on the verge of dismissal Finally in 1890 loaded by Wilhelm's arrogance Bismarck is forced to resign The pilot leaves the ship the man who spent his life to form the Empire leaves it in the unproved hands of the young Emperor Germany bends before the glory in the power of the all-highest the Caesar called in the Teutonic language Kaiser For the next 20 years Kaiser Wilhelm the second aided by one of the most complete espionage systems the world has ever seen Backed by a military machine the strength of which the world was yet to know Plays an astute game of politics against equally astute opponents For 20 years. No one knew how the cards were stacked whether or not they were five aces in the deck Then on June 28th, 1914 an assassin's bullet tearing through the body of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria Breaks up the game Six weeks later Europe is in a grand free-for-all Which historians ironically call the war to end all wars It is for those same historians to fix at some far distant date the guilt Today Kaiser Wilhelm who has been called the Arch criminal of all time Leads the life of a country gentleman in a quieter state in Holland Writing learned monographs on the Chinese symbol for eternity and Today the fatherland once more resounds with the tramp of marching men The actors have different names, but the play is the same and Germany is the same the real Germany The soul of its people remains untouched by the political maneuvers on the Wilhelm Strasse Fair-haired German girls and blue-eyed boys Still spelt their bond a yard hiking through the black forest Swimming in the Bonsai climbing breathlessly up the steep path to the Heidelberg Schloss In the little towns of Saxony in the rotskillers of Bavaria No amount of politics can destroy the ambrosial delights of beer and burst While the orchestra plays the songs they all know and love to sing This is the soul of Germany a simple singing people with a heritage of beauty and culture a thousand years old It's sailing time again We board a little steamer at the old cathedral town of Mayans For one of the most thrilling river trips in the world the trip down the Rhine Every hill overlooking the river it seems is topped by an ageless castle and the valley sides are checkerboarded with vineyards Vineyards which produce a wine unequaled anywhere pale-renish There see that rock stemming the current around this curve There see that rock stemming the current around this curve That's where the Lorelei sat and sat that's where the Lorelei sat and sang as she lured the sailors to destruction And soon we shall pass them to the bridge at Koblence where the invading American army was greeted as heroes by the war sick Rhinelanders a few weeks after the armistice and then Cologne Thrusting the lacy spires of her cathedral heavenward and on to Dusseldorf and Essen the great industrial towns But there's the whistle We've left Germany behind and already we're at Dockside in Rotterdam Homeward bound But we can't forget the beauty we have seen the charm and simplicity We have found in the soul of Germany in the hearts of her people It isn't goodbye Germany. It's off the disain until we meet again We invite you to join us again next week in this time as we journey to another of the world's fascinating ports of call