New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-09
THE REGENCY AND SCCCESSIOM

THE REGENCY AND SCCCESSIOM
Tho genius of Prince Bismarck provides
Germany with safeguards against every enemy
even Death. According to European ideas
An interregnum is fraught with peril to
conntrv whose institutions are mOnarchical.
To republicans at distance it may appear IL
small matter, if with Bismarck and Moitkc
on guard and with two millions OF soldiers be-
hind them the succession to the throne should
I've undetermined for few hours or even days.
10 Germans who have learned to regard inc
Monarchy as the ground underneath the En-
miro il would be a most dangerous Crisis IT
there were TO be no one in supreme authority
even for brief period to sign an oilclal dc-
cree of State. Prince Bismarck would nave
rccn lacking in prudence and disccrnmcnt IL
he had allowed such contingency 10 arse
without having prepared himself to avert the
crisis. He forcSaw what might happen as long
500 rs November. Prince William was armed
with mower TO sign Imperial DEGREES and to act
AZ Regent, if his grandfather and his father
alike should be incapacita'cd for the eNerc'N"
If sunrcme acts of sovereignty. The concur
renee Of the Empcrors death and the crown
Princes absence from Germany and critical
illness will not impair even for single houF
The continuity and stability Of monarchical IN
stitmiops A Prince Regent in waiting. even
in the presence Of death, will represent the
majesty of the Imperial Crown
4 vacancy in the Imperial succession IL
rominally filed by election The Emperor
William was nominated by the reigning Princes
Of Germany and elected by 'hc Reichs,ag. Ihc
I,opcral Constitution was adopted in Apnl
1871. several months after he had been pro
,,ain,ed Emperor at Versailles. BY the first
article the title Of Kaiser is conferred upon the
King of Prussia, who is thereby armed with
snnrcme authority The Imperial throne is
rims an hereditary function of the Prnssiar
Nonarchy Primogcniture in thc male line
determines the succession to inc lruSSf'h
Crown, and consequently the Crown Prnco
will become King and Emperor, unless he
voluntarily abdicatcs his functions or is de-
barred by mental or physical disability. 10
will naturally desire to be crowned, II not Tor
himself. at least for the sake OF his Engllsh
wife. TO whom he is dcvotedly attached and
who has always exercised strong influence
over him His decision to return TO Berlin
this week seems to indicate determination To-
succeed to the titles which by right belong to
him. Dislike and jealousy OF his English WIFE
vii not prevent his accession to the throne
even If he desires the Crown mainly for the
sake Of STRENGTHENING her position in Germany
The international medical fcud which haA
arisen from the employment of an English sur
econ in preference to German specialists VIII
be equally imperative in dcrrying him Of his
hereditary rights. The English-hatcrs may be
numerous. not only in Court circles, but also
in the streets Of Berlin, yet the mass OF the
German people will desire to have "Unscr
Fritz, crowned, even if his reign be destined
to be one Of the shortest in their annals.
Disability caused by the critical state OF his
malady may prevent the coronation OF tho
Crown Prince This is medical question to
be determined by the surgeons actually IN at
tendance, and not by those who arc Whiting,
croakng and specializing about the case. It Is
q significant circumstance that simultaneously
with the first tidngs of the Empcror's relapse
was sent out from San Reno circular signed
bv the surgeons DENYING that dangerous turn
in the malady was imminent and alhrming that
no division Of opinion existed among them. If
the German Chancellor insists upon having r.
medical certificate in regard 70 the patient S
precise condition. DR.. Mackenzie and his asso-
cjatcs will undoubtedly be able to satisfy him
that the case is not absolutely hopeless. and
that the cancerous nature Of the disease has not
vet been demonstrated. The Enel sh surgeon
being in charge Of the case can furnish tho
medical reports. which will be made the basis
e action by the Chancellor and the Bundles
,ath and he can probably be depended upon to
support the secret ambition Of The Queens
daughter Everything points to speedy
coronation Of the Crown Prince with IA con-
tinuance Of Prince Williams existing functions
as Regent