The Washington critic., 1888-09-26
LATE.LONnnN TOPICS.
The Kn'ser's Activity-ETcct Of Bnzaine =
Dpnfh


Death.
London, Sept. 2G.-Thc activity of the
German Emperor seems to know no
bounds, and, of course, is not looked up
on altogether with approval by political
comoscenta at home and abroad. The
Obvious, if not very fattcring parallel be-
tween William and the ultra eccentric
parcnt OF the great Frederick, represents
the opinion which Intelligent foreigners
appear to have formed of him, and the
rather uncharitablc conclusion arrived at
that the symptoms of intolerance and rest
lcssncSs which arc exhibited so early in
his reign will bring him all the sooner
to the state of mind that rendered the
hitter years of his ancestor u burden to
his country, and his death n relief to all
around him.
with the natural dislike of the Ger
mans to adopt innovations, the officers
of the army. those of high rank cspc-
cially, arc filed with suppressed rage at
the course of the Kaiser in retiring vet
cran generals with inadequate provision
for their maintenance, the changes and
promotions made regardless of previous
service, natural preiudices in favor of
localities or social ties or Difference TO
traditional processes of advancement, and
many and deep are the wishes that the
father of the present monarch had been
spared TO rule over the land which the
son is transforming into dcspotism.
One class of Germans, however, look
with unmiXcd satisfaction upon the ir-
reprcssiblc, tlcaliie," as it is privately
termed of the new Kaiser, and hail with
pleasure every manifestation of imperi-
BUSINESS and junlSeyism.
The voters for Lieblirccbt and their
more or less open sympathy is caused
by the popularity of the late Frederick.
n. 90 :. .. IL. 4
iorutc tic condition of the masses and
gradually conccdc to the people a larger
share in the government of the coun-
try would have Quictcd the general
clamor and deferred for years the up
rising against the armed tyranny which
they feel regards them as so much ma
tcral for the advancement OF the am
bilious schemes of their hereditary mas
ters. They arc now worllmcn, no in
considerable number of the soldicry and
many oiliccrg of the lower grades; kept
always conscious that there is no relief
from an existence scarcely better than
that of the beasts, except by con-
certcd revolt and that to enlightened
men, life on such conditions Is unen-
durable.
As for the Emperor, the only sign that
he has given of a change OF purpose IN
any respect may be explained by the
natural inference that he does not care
to suffer his anti-English feelings TO
weigh against his interests. 1t is evil
dent that his several interviews with the
Prince of Wales have resulted i'll the
conclusion that England may be useful
to him at no distant day: that its navy
is a thing to be cnvied and its naval ad-
ministration a matter worthy of study.
He will hardly find that the mere adop-
ton of the English naval uniform by
the German marine will make race of
snilors out of men who are not so by dis
position.
Death of Marshal Bazaine.
The death of EX-Marshal Ba2aine
has, by awakening the memories of the
Franco-Prussian war, given great impe-
tus to the spread of Boulangerism
throughout France. Thousands upon
thousands of persons with whom the
unfortunate capitulation of Metz was
vague recollection or an Inherited
tradition have been aroused to discus
sion of the merits of the case, with rel
ercnce to the unhappy NlarshaIs lncen-
tive to surrender, and these discussions
have generally taken so wide range.
as to include mention of every success
sive defeat of the French armies IN thel
struggle which was the death blow to
the Third Empire.
Probably no better estimate can be
made of the extent of the revival oil
Revanche sentiments growing QUO OF the
demise of the man who, OF all others,
became most infamous through his con-
duct as Il commander in the most remark
able war; in many respects, that Europe
has ever seen, than is shown by tile COM
mcnts of the press on Bazaine's career.
Meme of the journals accuse him oil cow
ardicc, for his record as IL soldier from
his entrance into the ranks as private
to hin astounding surrender, in the
capacity of Marshal of France, of one
of the finest armies ever organized bellies
such an assumption, but every one of
his critics, after denouncing his action or
charitably ascribing his conduct to faulty
Judgment, concludes by directing, either
covertly CT openly, public attention to
the necessity of regaining in the future
what has been lost in the past.
Boulangerism is nothing If it is not
patriotism, even to the verge of Chau-
vinism. 1t has no high aims in states
| manshp, nor is the following of the
doughty general given to ebullitions of
| high moral sentiment. It's course may
be devious, but its objective point is re-
taliation upon Germany and the recov-
cry Of the lost provinces.
To the largely prevailing belief in the
| ability of Boulangcr to, in some way
bring about these results the recollec-
| tionS revived and the discussions aroused
by the death of the disgraced commander
cannot fail to add many converts, and
! the rc-entry of the general to the Cham
Der of Deputies is looked forward to
with curiosity and interest, not unmiXed
with anxiety, in view of his prospective
| increase of strength.
1