, 1888-03-10
EMPEROR WILLIAMS DEATH.

The death of old Emperor William
breaks the most remarkable political tri-
umvirate known in modern history. Ex-
amples are numerous of extraordinary
times producing extraordinary men, but
instances are rare where the same coun-
try and period have produced three pre-
eminently gifted men, who each worked
in his sphere with such clocklikc preci-
sion and whose combined talents con-
tributed to the same common ohIect-the
unifcation of their county. In Bismarck
and Won Moltke he had two lieutenants
who fitted the situation like a glove-Bis-
marck, the man of iron, without a peer
in statecraft on continental Europe; Won
Moltke-the silent-with u genius for
war which the worlds history . seldom
duplicated.
The life of Emperor William has not
been a bed of roses. He was born March
%, 1897, so that he had almost completed
his 9lst year. He received a military
education and took part in the great cain
paigns against France in 1914 and 1915.
He was appointed governor Of Pom
merania in 1910 but was Obliged to seek
refuge in England during the revolution
of 1S4S. In 1919 he was made ON
mander in chief OF the Prussian army
and led the campaign against the revolu-
tionary Badeners. In 1858 his brother
Frederick William, who was king of
Prussia, became a %lunatic. Prince Will
ian was appointed regent and governed
the country in that capacity until 1861,
when he succeeded to the throne on
his brothers death. Germany at
hat time was in somewhat the
same condition that this country
was after the revolutionary war aud the
adoption OF the articles of confederation,
although the German empire did not ex-
list even in name, and common language
was the only slender tie which bound the
people. In addition to the constant
clashing between the various independent
states, of which Prussia was the strong
est, a revolutionary party of pronounced
socialistic and democratic l~eanings con-
stantly gained ground and menaced the
existence of neutrality-suspicious..
King William Immediately took the bull
by the horns and in his coronation speech
laid emphatic and unmistakable emphasis
on the divine right OF kings" The
rule of iron was thus ~inaugurated and
the first step toward the uniiicatIon of the
German empire taken. Bismarck, even
then a man Of pronounced reacticnary
principles, was selected as chief adviser
and was subsequently made premier.
The iron hand at the helm soon brought
public Affairs to the verge of a social rev.
%olution, which was only averted by Prus-
STA joining Austria in a war
warcd on Denmark. In 1866
war was declared against Austria and
after Il short campaign in which William
aud the princes participated Austria was
forced TO sue a Illuminating peace. This
gave Prussia pre-eminencc among the
German states. The var foolishly de-
ciared against Germany by France in 1870
completed Prussia's dominance IN Ger
man affairs, made William emperor and
added a strange page to the worlds his
tory. As a result of the war the province
of Alsace and part of Lorraine including
Metz, the great stronghold, was ceded to
Germany together with Il war indemnity
of 81, 200, 600, 600.
Though his marrige with the Princess
Augusta, of Saxe-W eimar, Emperor Will
liam leaves a son and a daughter. The
former. Frederick William, crown prince
OF Germany, now emperor, was married
in 1858 to Victoria, a royal princess of
England. The daughter, Louise Mary. is
married to the Grand Duke OF Baden,
The new emperor is known as a man of
conservative tendencies, but his heir,
Prince William, now in his twcnty-ninth
year and the happy father oil four bounc-
ing boys, is more of a dashing military
officer and is generally considered not so
well BALANCED.