New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-31

Germany ends the year poorer by two ilohcn>
zollerns. Emperor William, the oldest Of modern
sOvereigns, veteran of the Napoleonic wars. who
had avenged Jena after taking up the sword Oh
Frederick the Great and establishing the suprem-
acy of Prussia on the Continent, died on March Q.
and was succeeded by the Crown Prince whose
life was already ebbing away al San Reno.
Frederick III returned TO Berlin 10 combat with
patience and heroism the grim adversary whom
as gallant soldier he had dehed the battle
fields of Bohemia and France. Ii was the short
est and most pathetic OF rcigns. For three months
the Emperor devoted himself with infeAible pur-
pose to the cares of State, disclosing broad and
enlightened policy and singular nobility Of char
acter Wearied but not undaunted by
the agony OF an unequal struggle
with an memorable disease, he died on
June Is, honored and lamented the world over
by the friends of liberal institutions and free
government. The pathos of his fate touched the
hearts even Of enemies whom be had conquered,
France and Austria uniting in sincere homage to
the greatness of his character.
The funeral baked meats served in Germany
for wedding dinners Prince Henry Of Prussia
married in May Princess Irene Of llesse. Fred
ericlk III, influenced by the Empress. had also
sought TO bring about marriage between Prince
Alexander of Battenberg and Princess Victoria, but
had yielded to Prince Bismarcs threat of resigna-
ton. The Chancellor wisely contended that, as
the Czar was personally hostile TO Prince Alex
ander, reconciliation of the Romsnoffs aid Iio-
henzollerns would be impracticabe If the marriage
were TO take place. The Crown Prince, whose
aversion to English influences at the Prussian
Court was uncompromising and almost rancorous,
lent the Chancellor powerful support, and the
81 HE
the throne Princess Sophie. younger sister OF
Princess Victoria, was betrothed to the Duke OF
Sparta Crown Prince Of Greece This is an
alliance that interests Germany in the future
of Epirus and Macedonia and tends 10 regulate
Russian ambition in the Balkan lands without
exciting the Cars private resentment.
Emperor William III showed signs OF gddiness
in his warllle pro Carnations to the army and
navy, but speedily altered his tone in addressing
his subjects, and made conservative speeches IN
opening the Rechstag and the Landing, proclaim
ing his intention of adhering closely 70 his grand
fathers policy lie signalized his accession by .
royal progress TO the Continental capitals, meeting
the Gar at Cronstadt July ls, and after a
succession of military pageants and ceremonials
at St Petersburg calling nj Stockholm and Co
penhagen before his return to Berlin. Journeys
to Vienna and Rome followed, the alliance be-
tween Germany. Austria Hungary and Italy being
strengthened BY an exchange of congratulations
eighty and the rivalrics OF Vatican and QulrlnaI
created much embarrassment, and while the En-
peror was received with cordiallty by the eccle-
steal head of millions Of his Catholic subjects,
It. is doubtful if the diplomatic eXpedlcnts were
successful In Vienna also Count Taafe, the
Austrian Premier was qstentatiousiy neglected:
and since he represents Federalist tendencies or
which Prince Bismarck dislpproves, the slight
has caused tension between the allied Govern
ments. On the whole. the Emperor's bearing IN
this royal progress excellent, and his pacific
speech in opening the Rcichstag on November
% disclosed the benefits derived from his expc..
riences in the capitals of Europe. England had
Victoria having coolly received ovcrtures for the
reception of her grandson Some tension has
been caused between the two courts by the Em-
pcror's relations TO his English mother, and
this feeling of unfIiendlines> has been
intensified by the disgraceful medical feuds
to which the employment Of Sir MoreI Mae
kenzie his fathers surgeon gave rise. mat
these jeaouses are not shared by the two Gov
ernments is clear from the alliance against the
African slave trade which was negotiated after
the uprising Of natives in Lanzbar against the
German colonists An authorized publication OF
a diary of the Crown Prince, kept during is'0-T,
subjected DR.. Geffcken, of Hamburg, TO prose
While three Emperors in turn have vehemently
dscaimed any desire TO plunge Germany into
the horrors of war, the policy OF ornaments ana
costly preparations for campaigning on a large
scale is steadily followed. On February Prince
Bismarck made a Characteristic speech IN the
Reichstag, carrying without discussion the Mill
700. 600 men TO the available forces oi the En-
pirc. The equipment of these additional reserves
was provided for bv 3 IL cents with an
increase of s7560.0O0 in the miiitsW budget.
Prince Bismarck bad previously revealed the
secret treaty made with Austria Hungary on
October Z, 1879, which involved an offensive and
defensive alliance against Russia lie had also
intimated that Italy had Joined this anti Russian
coalition. His speech in defence of organized
militarism in Europt may almost be regarded as
his last political testament, for he has rarely
appeared in the Rcichstag and Is evidently trans
fcrring the burdens Of Office 10 his son Count
Herbert Bismarck, who accompanied the En-
peror to the capitas and sccEss d siincd 10
succeed 10 the Chancellor him Flcld-MaLTh:1
Won Motkc has likewise retired from active
du'y n. m litary headquarters his slcc"sso" being
the Enperors int mt fricad. t0Hnt Wadegsee
new generation of rulers has come upon the
scene, but the old ideas arr still supreme. To
military preparations are added ambitious naval
ornaments Cove nmcnt propos,i hav ng been
rad TO- thc construction of twcnty-cight men,
of-war, including nine powerful ircnclids and
seven armored c-us r.. with an exp nditure OF
$40, 600, 600 The colonial policy continues To
be rursn d with m n, energy than discretion,
Sam rema IN ne the thca'-c Of med II SOM in
tngue. aud In A'rIc, from Zlnl hrr to Like
Nyassa being drlN ate tle doeth Of the
Su tan. Seyy'd Ba- ghpsh, into Tc,'lt by harsh
and ntoeranf measures IT. AS'c~i .l"rtihe re-
preston is still the order OF the day. and French
travellers have been harasscd by rigid rules TO
sp"c'ing passports, which have To be counter
signed by the German Embassy al Paris. The
operation OF the anti-socialist law has been pro-
longed for two years and very little progress y