New-York tribune., 1873-06-16
VOL. XXXIn.....NO' 10 047.
AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.
NOTES FROM BERLIN.

RESIGNATION
MERGE.
tyRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
BERLIN, May 29.-The deposition of NJ.
Thers and the election Of Marshal MacMahon did not
produce as much excitement in Germany elsewhere
To- certain extent perhaps, the indifference may be
traced to the resolution not regard the affairs OF France
As worthy OF much notice. When tine journals began
their comments they we're studiousy careful to Keep
within the limits Of decOrOus interest In the subject
"Once more" begins heading ertice, "the anars OF
France are attracting the attention Of the world" the
downfall OF NJ Theirs" SAYS another writer has served
10 draw the eyes of the world AGAIN toward France
similar tone peryades all the comments on the coup
d(at and there rs shown really delightful Ignorance
Of the fact that France in her dulest moments is inc
object Of general interest not to say Anxiety tha
Germany can ever hope to attract. Ihere Is goou
reason to believe that the German politicians nave oeen
kept well informed the plans of the royasts III
the French Assembly Elsewhere there seems TO be a
general surprise at the choice OF MacMahon. He
was the one prominent man who was thought
TO be utterly above and beyond the efforts OF
The consprators. This was doubtless the feeling in
America. But have excellent authority for saying
that the German Foreign Office knew ten days before
the catastrophe that MacMahOn was the coming man
and this was not q mere Inference based a study Of
his chances but positive knowledge that he had been
agreed on by the Right, aud had pledged himself 10 do
their work.
Of those who see Blsmarck'e sinister IN
alcuce in every movement in the political world. There
perhaps never lived great statesman 70 whom more
ridiculous powers have been ascribed But in reference
70 the French crisis it is well to remember that he
Is represented at Versailles by dpomatist Of no mean
Drder-by Count Harry Arnm. shrewd, ambitious, and
inscriptions politician. Count Arnm Is de-
iermiued rOyalst, and have not the slightest
fear OF dong him injustice when 1 say
that though he had been treated with marked
Inv M wa Of n
rmacy with NJ Tnerss government, he was not the
20 shrink before any intrigue aimed at the Repub-
h the history OF the transactions at Versailles
are ever written depend upon II Count Harry Arnims
Dame, ike Ben. Adams though for different reasons,
will lead all the rest Nor must the French Minister at
this Court vseount dc Goutaut Biron. be deprived Of
bis share Of tue glory. He is a weak, vain man. who
bad bis head turned by the late negotiations for the re-
lease Of French territory and who has been attered,
now by Bismarck by the Right in the Assembly, so
that hisown estimation OF himself is much out Of pro-
portion 70 his actual merits Tt that no had been
ed 10 expect the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs under the
government. OF there was never the slight
ss intention Of giving to him, but It thought wise
10 hold out reward TO him for smoothing things at
Berlin for the new regime.
II is difficult yet TO say what effect the change win
have on the relations between France and Germany.
As between two political antagonists, OF Ger
mans sorry Thers who has shown states
Nahou, Who is neither great statesman nor great
soldier The German officers praise his valor but they
have poor opinion OF his capacity a military leader
he is credited with the remark that no man who knows
The French army win dream Of another in Is years
and he acts his own judgments he Is safe man 20
be az the head Of affairs, far as the Germans are
concerned The old junker HreaetiOnarY clerical party
in Prussia is in high spirits the Of events
the Rhine but It Is safe 10 presume Jhatfor Bis
m2rck the contest, far it turns on the abstract
question republic monarchy, has a very slight inter-
est The best government for France in his judgment
Is the which is least formidable 10 Germany II NJ
Theirs was right saying that the Republic the gov
eminent which divides Frenchmen least It is easy to
believe that Count Arnim not without instructions
when he helped 70 up TeactOnary administration,
and 70 start France on the road 70 monarchy.
II Is worthy Of notice that the Germans are now /
fighting again that venerable battle between bench
and jury This about the issue between the two forms
known as Sch6feHgerebt and ScArrgerieht; though |
the former, while taking much away from the power Of
the Jurors, does not quite abolish those time-honored
servants Of justice The Sel5Gengereht is system Of
criminal procedure peculiar think, 10 GermaDg and |
Bone parts Of German Switzerland. The distinguishing
feature is that instead Of referring the questions Of
hei and those alone, unreseryedly TO the jury, !
hfiers all questions alike OF fact and law 10 judges
and iurors who meet together and return common !
verdict The judges are generally three in number and
TIE jurors not more than six Both systems are now in
operation 10 this country and the movement
for uniform imperial code took active shape OF course
tleir rivalry became prominent In the draft for
tbe criminal code which committee Of the Bundensroth
lately submitted to the Imperial Parliament the
preference is given 70 the Sch6GengerickL The
struggle has therefore been transferred 70 the Reichstag
IL this resolution IL is easy TO trace PrussaD influence
Tor Prussia Is democratic than other German
States and the jury has never been regarded as do
nestle Institution here There Is perhaps much force
10 The arguments Of the Commission, drawn from the
greater promputude simplicity, and effectiveness Of the
favored system. There s less fame but quite as much
human nature in the popular unofficial complaints
against the jury system French importation Such
10 argument Is actually current. But as II the
historical part Of 1t not enough, there is now
ping the rounds Of the press paragraph which
aseoyers the jury originally in Germany, follows It
teross 70 England, thence over 70 France and finally
back 10 It's Ieutonic home. Every scholar is familiar
WIN Iaciiuss elaborate description Of the German Jury
tteIn but s 1t not cruel cut England 40 rudelv oF
from any share in the development Of the tsane ,rh
hisrographer goes on 70 show that. as 70
Introduced 10 Germany, the instirutfon mo-
somewhat tainted by the French air throncb
which 1t had passed, but was soon cIeansed
and Is now found IN all It's original purity You NAV
not be favoraby impressed by this argument as mere
logical exercise, but II Is very effective with those who
1eoept s history. As an drgumeHlm ad hOusinsm with
patriotic Germans, just nothing helps ones wares
Aoug 30 well proof that they were, in the remote
past, an invention Of the Fatheriand. / sometimes
Rink they would incorporate the Declaration OF Inde
pendence into their political creeds some clever man
should convince them that II originally came from
Martin Luther or the Great ElectOr.
Unfortunately, IN the case Of the Jury. there are
Hephes who read history differently and r is one OF the
Aults Of an historical argument 70 drag all other sup
pors down with II II falls These skeptcs OF course
y 70 the opposite extreme Of patriotism. But the South