New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-22
HERBERT Won BISMARCK.
WHAT he WAS IN LONDON AND WHAT HE
Is IN BERLIN

rs IN BERLIN.
sv.o,, rpr rsct-r.r CORRESPONDENT OF THr
BERLIN March Q.
Next after the Imperial Chancellor the most
interesting parsonage among German statesmen
is his son. Count Herbert Won Bismarck, forelgn
Minister of the German Empire He is the rising
hope of the Germans; the man to whom they look
to continue that imperial policy which his father
founded and established; to keep Germany what
Prince Bismarck has made her In the funeral
procession of Friday no figure was more remarked.
In European politics no Minister is more studied
by other Ministers 1 suppose even in far-of
America, happy enough to concern itself little
with the details OF European diplomacy, you
NAV like to know what manner Of man he is.
Count Herbert has long been known in London,
where he was for some years secretary to the
German Embassy He was a favoritc in society
The liking of Englishmen for Germans is, as
rule, subject TO qualifications. Both In politics
and in their personal relations there has long
been kind of friction between these two peoples,
so closely connected by race and by their rulers
Perhaps the prejudice which sprang up when the
House Of Hanover first came to the throne has
never died away. No nation really likes peihg
governed by foreign kings and queens. The
English have visited this natural resentment
on the people from whom for nearly two hundred
years they have borrowed their kings and queens
They make exceptions, but then they like man.
not because he is a German, but in spite OF MS
being German Count Herbert Won Bismarck
was one OF the exceptions. Remark also that
he went TO London at a time when England was
getting ready to give up her long ooque1ry
with France. and revert to her natural ally The
English Minister who most decisively turned his
face to Germany was perhaps Lord Rosebery, when
he held, for all too brief a period, the PORTFOLIO
of Foreign Affairs in Mr. Gladstones last Govern
ment And it happens that Lord Rosebery and
Count Herbert are intimate friends. The be-
ginnings of the change go further back as far
as the Congress of Berlin in 1873, when Lord
Beaconsleld was indebted in no slight degree to
Prince Bismarck for his victory over Prince
Gortchskoff.
With ell this-all his popularity and all the
tendencies Of the times-I am not sure that London
took Count Herbert very seriously. Ills reputa-
ton there was for a long time social reputation.
The smart" world laid hold of him. lie be-
longed, not exclusively, but still belonged, to O
set One of his nearest friends was the present
yiceroy of Ireland. Lord Castlereagh was not
then supposed to occupy himself with politics or
to cherish political ambitions He and his beauti-
full wife loved the life which so many others In
England, high in rank and social position-two
things which by no means always 60 together
In their company, and much other like it, the
young German was to be seen at races, at parties,
in Rotten Row. at Four-in-Hand meets, at the
clubs most frequented by the most gded English
youth, at the smsrtest houses In town and country
alike whether In England or Scotland That he was
during this butterfly period quietly devoting him
self to real work may be guessed He had been the
same or something like it, in Berlin, before he
came TO London. In that sedate capital too,
. Count Herbert-or Iumor is o more idle gossip
than usual-had found means of enlvening his
leisure Whether in London, or Berlin, or else
where, this butterfly period passed After he
had quilted England his English friends began to
perceive that he had destined himself for a serious
career Ills father had discovered his real abil-
tiles lie was sent to the Hague as Minister;
4 quiet place, with little to do unless you
believe with the French, who will believe
anything that the allgrasping Chancellor was
then meditating the absorption Of the Netherlands
into the German Empire. The Hague, in any case
was spot from which it was possible for young
man to study Europe and fit himself for the great
duties which lay before him.
had met Count Herbert Won Bismarck in
London, and had desire to see him in Berlin in
q position and circumstances so totally unlike
those Of London He xas so good as TO lend him
self to this wish OF mine. If 1 were to adopt the
even solemn view of whatever happens in con-
nection with the official world 1 should have to
say that had an audience Of the German Foreign
Minister The Foreign Office adjoins the Palais
Radziwil, where father and son live together.
Count Herbert made an appointment to see me
At o'clock Monday afternoon. When l gave
my name TO the concierge at the gate, found
che more proof Of that omazing thoroughness with
which here in Berlin the least details are worked
pat. / have had many appointments during the
last week with official personages whom, under
the aegs of the one who became my protector,
had TO apply for those favors without which a
journalist is helpless. In case did ever arrive
without finding that my errand had been explained
beforehand In the way perceived that
The concierge, and then the ushers in the outer
chamber and then some other higher Official
knew that was coming, and was passed on from
one to the other without question or any delay.
His Excellency is engaged with the French Am
oassador but will receive you in q moment" the
final message which met me on the threshold
The threshold was an anteroom where sat two
French officers in full uniform and their presence
denoted that it must be General Billot the special
envoy from France sent to attend the Emperors fu-
neral, who was closeted with the Minister. He came
out in i've minutes or SO: short, broad, smiling
nan, with as much gilt lace and as many dccora-
hons 1t WAS possible for one man Of his super
fetal area to carry on his person. The smiles.
The orders the bows, the civil speeches he ad-
dressed to the Minister, who came out with him,
the general glitter Of his appearance and amabilty
of his manner-what could all these mean II not
friendly relations between France and Germany?
But not on such cvlties do the friendships Of
nations depend. If you do not care about General
Billot, albeit soldier Of distinction in his own
land, accept him as contrast, not unldndly to
the more famous German who towers above him.
Count Herbert is all In black, morning costume,
not decoration Of any kind, not touch of color,
except the gold pin that fastens his black
scarf. lie stands well over six feet,
and like his father is broad and
strong and soldierly in bearing. Dark brown hair