The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-21


claimed from his country coordinate position in
the Germano Diet.
His Conversion from the Austrian Policy.
The working Of the German Federal Constitution
before 194S had IN fact only become possible by
tact agreement between Austria and Prussia Prince
Metternich taking the lead in all European questions
but leaving Prussia certain liberty OF action in
North Germany, and particularly In all questions OF
material interest, like the zollverein. Bismarck
had, he himself says in the passage al
already quoted grown up in admiration, nay,
even alteration, of Austrian statesmanship, and on
his arrival at Frankfort he Immediately started on
pilgrimage to Johannsberg to pay his respects to
the Nestor OF European politics. He returned from
this visit with the hope that Austria would acknow
ledge it to be just and wise to give Prussia, after
the reconciliation which had taken place. such po-
stion in the Confederation would induce the Ber
lin Cabinet to exert its whole strength for the CON-
mon interests Of the allied German Powers. But
under Prince Schwarzenbergs premiership things
began to wear a very different aspect That
naughty Minister was resolved to his
victory in the most relentless manner and
to realize the idea OF an empire of seventy-seven
millions by making Austria enter into the Confede
ration with all the countries subject to her scepre
Bismarck was not the man to submit to such
policy. "Soon after my arrival at Frankfort" he
afterwards wrote, "the scales fell from my eyes. l
saw that many OF the qualities with which / had
hitherto counted did not exist that the Austria
which was before my mind did not exist in reality;
and that therefore it was impossible to go along with
her."
A short time afterwards he was sent on a special
mission to Vienna and there tried to persuade the
Emperor to take more friendly position towards
Prussia, but he failed in this attempt. He
was most courteously received, but obtained
nothing. Thenceforth Bismarck became a
decided adversary OF Austria, and his whole activity
at the Diet was q protracted struggle against the
paramount influence OF the Vienna Cabinet. In this
struggle he was not much supported by his Govern
ment, The King was deeply discouraged, even
broken, by the late events, and consented to Aus
tria's entering the Confederation with her whole
empire, which was only prevented by the protest Of
England and France. When soon afterwards, the
Eastern difficulties began which led to the Crimean
war, Bismarck was with heart and soul on Russa's
side, and contributed powerfully to estrange Prussia
from the allied powers and to keep her in that
sided neutrality which proved So useful to Russia
His influence at that time was great he was fire.
quently summoned to Berlin, and more than once
his name was put forward for the Premiership. In
1857 the King was taken ILL., and year later the
Prince Regent on his accession, dismissed Baron
Manteufiels ministry. The event was unexpected
by Bismarck. Some OF his friends advised that he
should forthwith resign but he preferred waiting till
the new ministers showed their coors.
Made Minister to Russia.
Towards the end OF the year he was recalled from
his post and sent as Minister to st. Petersburg He
expressed his disappointment to the Prince Regent,
because he thought he might have done good SER
vice to Prussia in Frankfort under the state OF
affairs; but he accepted his destination, which
was honorable In itself, and allowed him to keep
alooffrom party struggles He left Frankfort with
the conviction that the existing federal institutions
were Improbable, and in critical times most dan
gerous for Prussia, without Offering those equva-
lent advantages which Austria derived from them.
His Grand PrHssian Policy Announced.
He therefore advised his government to profit by
the opportunity offered by the Italian in order
to obtain revision OF the Federal League, which
would ameliorate the position of Prussia in Germany.
When the Cabinet of Vienna after the omnous
words Of the Emperor Napoleon to Baron Hubner on
New Years Day, 1882 began to prepare for the con-
test; when all the minor courts and the German
press, guided by Austria, were raging for war; when
in regard to Prussia it said at Vienna 'If the
| Emperor commands, the Margrayes must obey"
Bismarck pressed his government to assume an inde
pendent position, and to consult only Prussian ne-
| rests for her future policy.
But the weak and ndolent Minister who then
directed Prussias policy could not muster courage
for energetic course of action, He declared IL is
! true, that Prussia willing she was to defend
every German interest, would not allow the Diet to
dispose of her army; but he lost time in fruitless
| attempts at mediation, before and during the cam
pagn, till the world was asonished by the news Of
the armstice of Villafranca. Austria had preferred
to sacrifice the province OF Lombardy to making any
| concession to her hated rival in Germany, whom
after the peace the Emperor accused openly as the
| chief cause of his defeat
| Long before these events Bismarck had retired to
his post at ST. Petersburg, and, disappointed in
his expectations from the ministry, was glad to
be removed from party strife to position where he
could observe the march Of political events from
| a distance. But he always kept up his connection
| with Berlin; strengthened his relations with the
Prince Regent, now King William l, by frequent
| personal intercourse; and his political ideas became
more and more rpened. His letters from st. Peters,
burg show at that time he was already considerably
| estranged from his old convictions
The liberal ministry that went into power in 1859
was a weak and vaoillatng one. The only reform
that the King insisted upon or would listen TO
reform in the army which the Italian convinced
| him was unequal to maintaining the standing OF
| Prussia as great power. Trouble with The House
of deputies ensued preciptated by the haste OF the
King in carrying forward his project for the increase
| of the army before the budget had been definitely
acted upon The House, in March, 1861, passed a
| resolution requiring more specific budget, where
upon it was dissolved and the resignation of the
Cabinet ensued, followed by the election Of over
whelmng opposition majority to the House of De-
putles The new ministry proved as weak as the
one which had preceded it, and the eyes OF the King
were turned upon Bismarck as the man of all men
upon whom he could rely to assist in the execution
OF his plans, in the teeth of the people and their
representatives.
HInde Minister to Paris.
In May, 1862 he had been transferred from st.
Petersburg to Paris. Soon after his arrival at the
latter place, he made visit to England and en-
deayored in vain to win Lord Palmerston over TO
his anti-Austrian policy and Immediately after
sought the presence OF the Emperor Napoleon at
Biarritz.
He Is Appointed Premier.
On his way home, at AvignoH, he was met By a
telegram which summoned him to Berlin. The