The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-02

BISMARCK'S EASTERN POLICY.
Old Kaiser Wilhelm's POpularity-Merry
Chrisimas--The German Opera.

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mcdlatcy apprised by his nephew, the Car. evoked
great enthusiasm at Court and in the higher circles
OF society, the sympathies OF which arc decidedly on
the side OF tho Russians His Majesty, the first in
Berlin who knew OF the victorious event, notwith-
standing tho latoncss OF the hour sent his aid-de-
camp TO Baron Aubr, the Russian Ambassador, 10
acquant him with the. tidings and congratulate him
on Osman Pacha's defeat Early the next morning
thu Emperor replied by telegraph to the Gear, COM
phmenting him the OF his arms. 1t is gen.
orally hoped here the fall OF Plevna the turning point
OF tho war, will lead a speedy conclusion Of peace
although 1t rs well known this government will
take the Initiative for mediation between the two
bcigerens. Germany not having a direct interest
In the East OF al the great Powers, the least eager
TO have peace rc-estabshed on the Balkan Peninsula.
She finds slight pleasure in seeing her powerful
neighbor engaged in fierce struggle, which, even If
" terminate VIGOROUSLY, must tend TO weaken her
strength.
GERMANS EASTERN POLICY.
Ever since the beginning OF the Eastern compca-
lions havo maintained that Bismarck, not caring
az for them, only rulod by the thought Of pre-
venting France from forming any alliance In hcr
OF revenge against Germany. BY founding the "Frei
Kaiser Bund, the chief object OF which aims at set
Ting all important International questions in accorc-
ancc with previous agreements between tho contract
ing parties, Bismarck succeeded in isoating France
and binding Russia and Austro- Hungary by strong
ties of friendship his country. do not 60 as
TO that Bismarck intentionally thrust Russia into
the war, but cannot hep admitting that he
wardly chucklo ut scoing tho Gar who liked pose
himself as the arbter OF Europe, entanged in a
hict runous 10 Russia's power and credit Nothing
could have happened moro advantageous to Germany
than the difficulty experienced by the Gear IN over.
coming his adversary, rightly wrongly considered
tho weakest among the great European Powers. No
victory ever glorious remove from Russia's
fame the tarnsh OF having been for months held at
bay by the Ottomans, at first SO despised by them.
THE EMPERoRs' ALLIANCE.
However tho war may end, We may be sure Russia
will be so crippled that she will long hesitate before
again unsheathing her sword. AS all the hopes of
Franco for crushing her German foe centred on
IN alliance with Russia one easily perceives what
great profit this country has gained by the Turco-
Russian campaign, not only humbling the Porte but
weakening Russia and rendering her unit for new
warlEc enterprises during the dccaae least.
On conclusion OF peace, for which preparations are
undoubtedly already making, Bismarck and Andrassy
will quietly stop in between the contestants and
the which they will admit a reconstruction
Of tho political stulo OF affairs tho Balkan
Peninsula. Without being averse to Russia CON-
pensating herself TO degree for enormous
losses sustained, these two statesmen will, neverthe.
less, not sanction any territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
their good and faithful ally in European Turkey II
the Car should therefore insist on acquiring
territories he will have to turn ASIA where any ex-
tension OF his empire, far IRON siren ghonipg its
power, involves great expenditures and pecunary
Sacrifices owing to these countries being in po-
stion TO raise the necessary for their selfad-
ministraon. Tho late Gear Nicholas, the father Of
the present RUSSIAN Emperor, who, IN 1S40.
chiefly instrumenialtn crushing tho Hungarian
VOLT only few years later had tho sad opportunity
Of complaining OF Austria's ingratitudo In making
common with his enemies during the Crimean
war. IL appears If like feeling will 10
spared his son.
msMARcK's RESIGNATION
Far greater importance than the Eastern war is
now being attached to rumots again cropping up OF
BsmarcK's intention 70 retirc completely from gov
crnmcnt Affairs The Chancellor. now residing NJ
Varzin his favorite country seat was expected 10 re-
turn 10 Berlin about the middle of tho month, when
suuueuy II became known that owing 10 the alleged
unsatisfactory condition OF MS health, he would pro-
long hts absence from the capital until next spring
Various and contradictory explanations were imme-
diatey ascribed to this surprising stay.
he really determined 10 insist upon the acceptance
OF his resignation he CONSIDERS himself incapable
OIL cohscicntiously dischargin2 his oncr0us duties.
Others say the leading statesman Is actuated by mo-
tvcs oi resentment against hostile elements at Court,
which he IS unable 10 remove from the surround
iugs vi Their MaJestes, or against tie strenuous
opposition IN the Prussan Cabinet offered to his
tsued ideas OF radical reform tue admins ration
anu taxation OF the Empire. In face OF the secrecy
observed In governments circIes respecting the
working OF state affairs, do not CONSIDER myseli just-
fed In giving an OpInton unless baged upon unlm-
pcachabe authority the conflicting reports expca-
1--we ON this monentous question. BIsmarck's re-
peatcd endeavcrs TO Tree himself from burden OF
official lie have-as thor motives could always DO
traced 10 some secondary reason, and therefore
hitherto remained unluIlcd-given rise to some
innate feelings that the great Minister will never
entirely abandon tho administration Ut tho Empire
30 much indebted to his wonderful genius ana state
craft
The opposition does not avail scl CT the chance to
l.y
llraLge conduct OF Bismarck III absentiug himself
such long period from tho active pcrior OF his
mamoid oilces. Although the German RcchstaS,
alone competent to discuss tho matter, Will as
sembe before Inc end Of next mouth, ultramontanes
anu progf osssts arc already preparing Tor strong
attack the Chancellor. They are supported In thor
Efforts Dy part OF tho politically far more moderate
national liberals, who cannot remain unconscious OF
the SERIOUS danger threatening the commonwealth
consequence of the prolonged inactivity OF tho re-
sponsiDle leader OF It's policy. II is uuqucsiion-
ably iamoniable fact That IN Il constitu-
tona State, tho German Empire PROCESSES
to be, the chief officer. who alone has TO rcndcr an
account to Parliament for the conduct Ut government
does not even once appear before the representatives
OF tho nation, but intusts this important charge TO
suborinates ana mere SECRETARIES 10 tho
almost unlimited power enjoyed ny Parliament
England and Congress In tho United states, cannot
help nduieing slight contempt at tho insignificant
role played by the deputies oil the people IN Germany
bismarck, ali Though the founder aud promoter oil his
coun'ry's political eminence, bas-even granting his
recognized merits-too far outgrown the constitution
mat sooner or later some Inevitable restriction OF
his sway must ensue. 1t Is not improbable the
lew monihss ~ which the uutles prcrogatvts OF
Imperial Chancellor will DO freely discussed may
have great influence toward this realization.
GEaMASY AND THE UNITED STATES.
President Hayes last Message TO Congress has been
favorably commented upon here. Especial interest
gwen 10 those passages referring TO the silver
question ana the negotiations pending between the
countries Tor the renewal Of tho EXISTING treaty
naturalization. Proposals OF tho Washington Cabinet
10 the treaty concluded 1868 with the North
German Confederation to tho whole Emplro are sure
10 DO accepted many difficulties arise rom the TACT
that the South German States have separate treaties
with America, while Alsacc and Lorraine, annexed
Uny ~ io'. az ~ ~ s ~ s"cso reg unions.
Minister Tor establishing kind OF model treaty to
provide settlement OF ell intricate internatio mai
Questionsas Tor instance, naturalization, extradl-
ton, rrage. appears to form the basis vi pour.
parisrs gong between the respective cabiucs
II would undoubtedly % great Achievements II this
scheme should be ofcctually carried out. Tho semi
Official organs oi government have, Wit evident pleas
ure, discussed n report OF the Waahington CaUnet
having ordered It's consular represcn abroad to