Omaha daily bee., 1888-06-17
The New Emperor.

The obsequies of Germany's dead en-
peror will not be over before all Europe
will be intently seeking to know what are
the sentiments of the new ruler of the
empire, so as to divine, if possible, what
may be his policy. Despite the assur-
ance which he is said to have given
from time to time within the past two
months that he had no military ambi-
tion, and that he would seek to avoid
rather than foment war, the confidence
of Europe in him as a friend of peace is
not strong. There is a general belief
that his motive in thus declaring him
self was to calm the fear Of the nations,
likely to increase if he remained silent,
with the growth OF conviction in the
fatal character of Frederick 8 malady.
When just after the accession of the late
emperor to the imperial rule it was pro-
posed to make William regent with un-
restricted powers, it was declared
throughout Europe that such action
would be regarded asalmost tantamount
to declaration of war. The plan was
Bismarck's, and when the probable
effect was seen it was modified so that
the crown prince was clothed with
relieve the emperor. The fact of this
circumstance developing SO strong a
feeling of apprehension regarding the
then crown prince furnishes plau-
sible reason for supposing that
he was counselled, and saw
the wisdom of the counsel, to re-
assure Europe by announcing the peace
full sentiments and intentions that have
been credited to him.
Since the death OF Frederick the new
emperor is said to have talked in the
same vein. 1t is understood that he
will adhere to the triple alliance, made
in the interest ofpeace, and if this shall
prove to be his intention Europe will
need no better assurance that so far as
Germany is concerned the peace will
not be disturbed. But there is this to
be kept in mind, that under William II
Germany will probably have a less dis
position to compromise than has
marked her policy for the last dozen
years, and that while she may do moth
ing to provoke trouble, if it is thrust
upon her she will show more readiness
to resent it. The new emperor
| may not really want war, but he will
| not have the same solicitude to avoid it
| that his grandfather had. The knowl-
edge of this may induce even greater
care than is observed not to fall into
| disputes with the German empire. I'm
questionably William will not allow the
| militia ry establishment OF Germany to
| dcterioratc, but he may rather be ex-
pected to strengthen it wherever he
shall deem increased efficiency to be
necessary. 1t may safely be assumed,
| also, that he will not go very far on the
| liberal lines marked out by his father
| for enlarging and protecting the politi-
cal rights of the people. This policy OF
| Frederick was repugnant to Bismarck
whose counsel was overruled, but the
chancellor is believed to have greater
influence with the present emperor.
| There is strong element in Germany
which has not been satisfied with the
recent imperial policy, and which now
| hopes for the beginning of a, new era
| 1t remains to be seen to what eXten1
William II is IN sympathy with this eie
ment, but there is reason to apprehenc
that the conservative course OF the gov
ernment for the last ten years will un
dcrgo some changes that may not be Il
the ultimate advantage OF the nation
Il Is a great and monstrous task that i!
devolved upon the young man of thirty
with little other training than that o
the camp, and whose controlling in
stincts and asperations are those of 1
soldier.