New-York tribune., 1875-07-26
EUROPEAN POLITICS.

rrvo, AN c,sroy,I CORRESPONDENT OF TRiBUNE.l
LEIPZIG, June 1O.-Now, since our external
political relations have lost tho menacing character
which seemed to cling to them during the spring
months public attention IN Germany turns again
specially to home matters. Here we ma certain
symptoms. which are worthy Of being noted even
tbough they have as yet scarcely risen to the sur
face Much in the recent past still remains obscure,
but this much seems at least to I've postvc-that the
crisis through which we have passed in regard TO our
foreign relations destined to exercise an influence
in the shaping of our own internal af1airs Accord
ing to my view-an explanation of she grounds
whereof would lead me too far-the poiicy ot Ger
many has been by means frutless yet the results
Of the diplomatic campaign are still partly hidden
from the public eye, and partly too dehcatey shaded
10 be apprecable The consequence is that there IS
a general impression that Prince Bismarck has not
been successful in his operations Others again con-
sider that the results are not in proportion 10 the
danger which Germany has escaped and miStrusf q
policy which risks great things for the sake OF small
in short, it must be admitted that to certain de-
Qree the magical spell is broken which Bismarcks
policy hitherto possessed for the general mind
This mistrust finds concrete expression in the fact
that n Question which should have been brought to
notice long ago. but was inconvenient so long as
"Lucky jack went his way unhndered, now
suddenly claims attention. According To the Coh-
stitution of the German Empire, there exists In TIC
Imperial Council Committee on Foreign Affairs,
composed of the representatives of Bavaria, saxony
and Wurtemberg, with two representatives for all
the smaller States Prussia being excluded because
her King as German Emperor, appoints the Imperial
Chancellor. This Committee has heretofore led a
very shadowy ife: it met but once in order to ex-
press its views-if / remember rightly-abont the
annexation of spitzbcrgen to Sweden. 1t was
natural perhaps, that statesman like Bismarck
had no great desire his plans disturbed by the
Intervention of second third rate diplomatists.
On the other hand however, II is very evident mat
the Committee is entitled to an important partlcpa-
ton in the diplomatic business Of the Eiplre, that
its duty to regulate the progress of the latter and
at least keep the separate governments Informed of
all that comes out, that they may Seas0nably
assume their attitude in regard to it. THIS matter
has been thrust into the foreground within the last
few days will not say from which side The excIte-
ment has been started; can assume. however,
that it will not vanish from the order of the day,
since there papable evidence of the necessity Of
the separate States sharing to much greater extent
than formerly. in our foreign policy.
The question has not yet received all the attention
which it really deserves partly because i; Is not be-
heved that Prince Bismarck is ready to make such
concession, and partly because a partcularistc
(State) movement is suspected The latter doubt is
certainly false the former at least improbable. The
particuarstic objection has no weight, because,
since the Empire is Federation and rot Union,
the participation of the individual States in tho
foreign policy follows of itself Extraordinary cir
cumstancos, such as brought about the foundation
of the Empire and the fact that an unusual political
genius now directs the Imperial policy, may force
the participation of the States INTO the background;
but in proportion as the cOndt tons become normal.
the rule Of single personality relaxes and this "a
shall SHOW is already the case, not to spaak OF Bis
marck's RESIGNATION or deathl-the fedcrative prin-
cipies of the Constitution will gain strength and i'm
portance without the revival of the particuarstic
interest being thereby rendered necessary.
As YOU know. toward the end of February and
thus before the opening of the last diplomatic cam
paign the question of Bismarck's complete retire
mcnt was seriously considered. 1t aftcrward
withdrawn. bat in the immediate future, perhaps in
the next few days it viii again be discussed in polit
ical circles The Chancellor is At present in Varzin
and / am able to inform you on the best authority
that, in consequence of an Imperial order, he is
wholly released from all affairs of state. He has
received leave of absence for an indefinite time
although tle Emperor expressly reserves tho right
to claim his services IN matters OF unusual I'M
portancc. But when the ministry of the Empire or
of Prussia desire to ascertain the Chancelors views
they must first lay their application bciore the EN-
separation from Government business is entire
such grant of leave of absence for indefinite
lime To "A statesman al the head OF affairs IS
anomaly and the circumstance that direct inter
course with the Ministers is permitted increases il.
In Prussia where the Ministers responsible such
relation s possible, but not in the Empire, since,
according 10 the Constitution. the Chancellor is the
only responsible person. But how is il possible that
minister, relieved for uncertain time and away
iro,n The coarse of affairs shall bear such RESPONSE
biliy!
The anomaly is so great that there is general
louh whether such an arrangement has actually
been made. can only affirm the fact in the most
positive manner, and confidently expect 10 see it
publicly announced in very few days. 1t is be-
Eeved that this is only the first step toward Bis
marcks resignation, although he will undoubtedly
still continue to play the part of an Egeria 1hconly
difficulty is the arrangement of such part for him
In accordance with business aud the Constitution.
There have always been Egerias i'll monarclncal
States but il has not always been possible to create
official positions for them. However this may be,
Bsmarck's present move TO the background, whether
only temporary or definite and permanent, is GER
tsinly calculated 10 increase the necessity of
active participation in foreign relations by the
Diplomatic Committee of the Imperial Council.
should like to add TO this communication some
literary and artistic news but in this department
there is at present little to announce In Germany.
for the last years. political interests have been
90 predominant that literature has not received
proper appreciation This is not surprising; literary
activity requires concentration and popular sympa-
thy, which arc both wanting. The poet is either
prophet who plants new aims for the national
aspiration in the future, he takes from
the past the metal out of which he coins
the intellectual currency of tho present time.