New-York tribune., 1873-01-06
ORIGIN OF THE CRISIS.

ORIGIN OF THE CRISIS.
sPECuLATIoNs RESPECTING ITS RESULr-fEEL-
ING AMONG PARTY LEADERS.
lYRox TRR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRlBUSSl
BERLIN, Dec, 1S.-Crises succeed one another
rapidly in Prussia 1t that constitutional govern
ment is yet such novelty here that takes very he
70 make crisis :" but il is also true that the Couhues
hill and the impending changes in the Cabinet are
great strain not elastic system succeeoing
one another promptly, too, they agravate the STU
alton by leaving quiet. 1t was well UNDERSTOOD
that the late "swamping" Of the Herrenhsus would
make necessary Cabinet changes. These nave not
yet been officially announced, but it s assumed at pres
tnt that Won Room and schou Ministers OF war ana
Agriculture will retire. With Prince Bismarck al var
In and the Ministry going to pieces, the Emperor was
IN great perpexity and the negotiations Win 1eh Won
Room seem TO have Of the most pathetic character
The fact is that the former knows that the dissolution
Of the Cabinet means the denive separation of the
Government from the old Junker regime. Hence the
prolonged suspense and the vain ri6ng which drives
the Berlin journals TO despair.
The public patience held out well however, till Saur
day last Which was the day fixed for Bismarcks return
People counted a prompt solution from the blum
Chancellor. But, the amazement OF everybody, the
man who was going cut the Gordan knot only drew
and Instead of coming to Berlin TO dis
his reactonst colleagues and to put in their places
young and liberal he TO offer his resigna-
ton as Minister President need not say that this
a genuine sensation. This was on Saturday. l am
writing ON Wednesday, and there Is yet announce
ment OF settlement Bismarck has had long interviews
with the King and with Count Won Room, and great
many supposttous arguments have been made, but the
crash has not been averted. The only thing which
seems be certain is that Bismarck will resign the
position Of MinsterPresdent The Prussian ministerial
system differs IRON that of many continental States
that the premiership not connected
any particular portfolio. The head of the Cabinet
ran choose his own department he may take none.
hisG GoVer m
the Foreign Office which that time Of more i'm
portance than today when diplomacy has been turned
over 70 the Empire. II he resign the Presidency OF
the Cabinet but retain charge OF the foreign affairs, he
will obliged act under another Minister-Presdent-
contingency which would involve some curious reia-
lions In literal sense the change hardly possible.
may conceived, however, and there be no gen.
PIT reeonstructon Of the Government the new Minis
M President would be chosen from the existing Cabinet,
on the basis of seniority. Count Won Room Is the
veteran In respect both OF age and service. His
term indeed antedates that OF Prince Bismarck for he
Office in 1885, hut his age and health, as well as his
desire TO resign, exclude him from cOnsdera-
tion. TO him Count Eulenburg, Minister OF
the Interior He selected 1864 Now that foreign af
practically passed over to the Empire the
Interior the most important department., and the one
which naturally associated the presidency OF the
Council Count Eulenburg is a good executive officer,
and Prussia well but he is not man OF large
views He carried the Counties bill through the HerTen
hau good style. but the Liberals have no confidence
IN him. 1t is even hinted that the delay in coming 10
settlement is due to Bismarcks uuwillngness to put
Euenbmg forward.
1t is evident that King not pleased by the turn
winch affairs taking 1t is in such crises that one
appreciates the royal nsignihcance and the ministerial
power During agitation the Counties bill there
were peous and unmanly calls for Bismarck and after
Enenburg had forced the bill through, people could
only Bismarcks work. The present crisis is little
serious and there is general CONSERVATION.
hiatt he ia
Bismarck turning Prussia adrift without
responsible pilot that nothing could induce him TO give
np the substantial control Of the helm. AS have al
ready suggested be give up the Presidency inorder
10 escape necessity Of regular attendance at Cabinet
meetings but will not let any power slide out Of his
hands The dsmayed PrussiaDs do not stop to reflect on
his fact well the fact that II is not his titles but
his brains that give Bismarck power IN the Government
Az the same time is beyond dispute that the present
burden is too much for Bismarcks broad shoulders
Tie is in the place, MinsterPresident Of Prussia
t hy virtue that Office is nominaly responsible for
and for the general conduct OF affairs Next
ne il Minister for Foreign Affairs of Prussia, Office
which involves good deal Of labor OF minute SORT
Finally he is Chancellor of the Empire which equiva
ent TO being Premier, and which throws upon him
tremendous labor, diplomatic and domestic. 1t is
secret that his efforts all directed toward the
consolidation of the Empire. Day by day he pursues
he path centrazaton and day by day State preten
pons disappear before Imperial necessities. Foreign
f the State, be worked into shape by the
Chancellor broader scale. He Is credited with
plans merging Prussia completely in the Empire
these things, Of require time and labor the
ietas Prussian legislation rather trivial and dis
Haeng and it only natural TO suppose that Bismarck
would willingly tmn over TO subordinaes the duty OF
bringing Prussia into shape, while he applied himself
completely 70 more magnificent schemes
The prolonged suspense felt somewhat in financial
rcles the Bourse remains firm One Of the lessons
" the affair will be that elasticity must be given TO
ae system. Although live under what is called a
constitutional monarchy have not quite Outived the
,ge in which Frederick William ~. said he would never
nj piece paper stand between him and the hearts OF
ls people. William l. does not exactly proclaim the
e doctrine but he cngs 10 his prerogatve rather te
iaoousy During the KreSordnQng legislation, for in-
Tiance Euenburg declared that II the bill were rejected
ne ministers would not resign, because the King was
determined have it passed This sort Of talk is not
net IN harmony with parliamentary government. In
act ministerial responsibility the term is understood
England and other countries, hardly exists in Prussia
But she Is learning and If better arrangement be
made in the future Of the credit therefor will
ostly be gwen TO the present awkward crisis.
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