Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-22
GERMAN UNITY.
Emperor Frederick's Diary Shows
How " Was Accomplished.

BERLIN, Sept, 2l.-I Special Cablegram TO
Tue Bee. - A Berlin journal pub
fishes an abstract from the dairy of the
late Emperor Frederick containing details of
the events of the Franco-German war. The
events recorded in the dairy during the
period show that of those who were engaged
in founding the German empire Frederick
took the greatest rart, and that he thought
of the foundation OF an empire before others
dreamed that.such a result was possible
This abstract also proves that the German
princes, especially those OF Bavaria con
sented grudgingly to the establishment of an
empire.
The diary commences with the date, July
II, 1870 On the Goth of the same month";
Frederick wrote:
My principal thought is how to carry out
a liberal organizat ion in Germany after peace
has been secured.
The diary details conversations with his
father, Bismarck and Roggenbach on the
subject AMI he wrote that they were slowly
coming around to his views. On October 9,
Bismarck confessed that he had not thought
the desire of an imperial crown was 50
strong among the German people, and that
he was mistaken in 1866 in treating the ques-
ton with such indifference. Under date of
October1S, Frederick writes.
This birthday reminds me of the serious
ness of the task l shall some day have to
solve in German politics. | hope shall not
live to see more war. Evidently there are
many who look forward with confidence /
also am certain of the fultillment of the task
because | know that | will prove myself
worthy of this confidence.
The following pages reveal the sownesS of
the negotiations, Bavaria absolutely refus-
ing to consent. The grand duke of Baden
was one of the warmest supporters. Even
Bismarck seemed discouraged at the atti-
tude of the southern states. An entry under
date of November Ii details a conversation
wherein Frederick urged the forcing of the
south Germans. He said to Bismarck:
Let us act friendly and mperiously You
will see WAS right in saying YOU were not
sufficiently aware of your power.
Bismarck protested that it would drive the
southerners into the arms Of Austria, aud
remarked that only Frederick entertained
the idea of acting with majority of the
state against Bavaria. He thought it better
to let the suggestion emanate from the
reichStag.
a further somewhat heated conversation
between Frederick and Bismarck appears to
have borne fruit. Under date of November
81 Frederick writes that Bismarck has been
induced to take the subject up seriously.
Bismarck intimates to the German sovereigns
that unless they offered the imperial dignity
to the king the rechstag would. This
menace had its effect. After Bavaria offered
the crown to the king an entry under date Of
January IS, 1871, expresses the hope that ''our
ancestors dreams of German unity are full
filed" to
He then describes the coronation. On
March Z, Frederick writes:
Even the greatest imprudence will not
undo that which has, been gained. Such ex.
periences as l haye had in the last decade
cannot be in vaimr shall have a strong hold
over the united nation because l shall be the
first sovereign who, without reserve, adheres
to constitutional institutions.
Tho dairy reveals that Emperor William
said: [r
My son has his whole heart in the new
state of affairs, while | do not care about the
change.
1t throws interesting side lights on affairs
| of the period Frederick expressed the pride
he felt in the reproach Of being too humane
| in opposing the bombardment of Paris.
| Every page shows the writer's admiration
and veneration for Count Won Moltke.