San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-10
AGENTS For THE LIGHT.
SATURDAY, MARCH, 10, 1888.
THE OLD KING DEAD.

The news which came over the wire
yesterday and bulletined by this journal
Of the death of Frederick Ludwig Will
helm, King OF Prussia and since 1871
Emperor OF Germany, though not IN
expected, will create profound sensa-
ton throughout Europe. 1t has been
known for some time that In the course
Of nature the old king, who would have
been ninety-one years old on the twen-
ty-second day Of the present month,
weight OF years and the care OF govern
ment. His death comes at q most in
Opportune moment for the peace OF
Europe. His most earnest desire for the
tranquility Of all Europe, and his per-
sonsl influence with the crowned heads
OF the great powers in maintaining
Intact the peace Of the nations,
have had great weight 10 preventing
the outbreak OF hostilities. The situs-
ton in Europe SO long considered criti-
cal, is now more uncertain than ever.
The bitter feeling between the French
republic and the German empire In the
west, and the Bulgarian question in the
east, still remain to threaten the peace
OF the whole continent. France Is only
waiting her hour, and Austro- Hungary
Is determined that no concessions from
the powers shall be accepted as in any
sense asserting the right Of Russia to
interfere actively In Bulgarian affairs.
The recent attitude Of Frederick In de-
claring for the erection OF Bulgaria into
an independent kingdom, with himself
as constitutional king, gives color to
the impression that Bulgaria will re-
sist the determination OF Turkey to re-
move that prince from the head Of the
Bulgarian nation.
All these complications. with others,
not the least Of which is the critical
condition OF the crown prince Of Ger
many, will have the effect of creating
very feverish feeling in Europe, and no
one can say what the outcome may be.
The dominant nature OF Blsmarck's
CHARACTERISTIC OF the empire is accepted,
but how far the empire is with him In
feeling Is another matter, and the con-
sent to imperial policies and measures
accorded to the old kings requests may
not be so readily granted to his power
ful minister. The dead king was great
ly beloved by his subjects. 1t is
questionable II either Bismarck or Won
Moltke has any such hold upon the
affections OF the citizen OF the empire.
Speculation is idle, however, and only
the actual occurrences as they come to
pass can determine the issues now I'M
settled. and from which so much has been
feared. One thing seems certain; war
must soon come or a general disarma-
ment Of the forces throughout Germany,
Austria, Russia and France. Which OF
the two. 1t will be, requires some prophet
or son OF prophet with greater
precedence than the LIGHT claims to
possess In order to an answer.
Kaiser William, christened Frederick
Ludwig Wilhelm, was born March %
1877. He was q soldier from a very ear
ly age, being engaged in the campaigns
against France and the first Napoleon
In lSl3'lSl4. He was made regent Of
Prussia In 1857, and was crowned king
four years later. From the first hour
that he was invested with the purple he
has assumed to rule, not by the favor Of
the people, but by the favor of God. In
his first address from the throne he dis
tinctly avowed his policy, declaring that
he never could permit the progressive
development Of the inner political life OF
the nation to endanger the rights OF the
crown or the power OF Prussia. This
fight with the people who persisted 10 re-
turning liberal assemblies to the Prus-
Sian chamber continued until the able
strategy Of Bismsrk in 1863 revived the
old dispute with Denmark over the
SlesVig Holstein government, into which
Austria was forced to join against her
will, as Bismsrk had made the ques-
tion one Of general German interest.
This brought Prussia to the front and
precipitated a contest between that
country and Austria for the leadership
OF the German confederation, in which
Austria was so sIgnally woEsted and