Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-10

the German people. After the war
Bismarck obtained the signatures
OF all the small states and then forced
austria to sign a commercial treaty
with Prussia. These measures clearly
indicate the rising influence of Prussia
IN central Europe. 1t was not long.
however, until grave difficulties grew
(, out Of the Schleswick- Holstein war.
Austria supported the pretensions of
the Prince OF Augustenburg to govern
the Duchies. The Prussian War Min
lister asked Parliament for money to
make a harbor at Kiel. This port
Austria claimed to have an equal in
terest in with Prussia. Hot words
passed between the two powers, but
war was prevented for the time being
by the treaty of Gastein.
This gave Lauenberg to Prussia
with the right to administer Holstein,
and Austria was to do so in Schles-
wick. Bismarck used the lull to pre-
pare more effectively for war, and
when he was ready he found pre-
text. He made up his mind to have
the question decided as to whether
Prussia or Austria should predominate
/ III 0Cl lhS 0uSiildA
Governor OF Holstein maintained an
active advocacy Of the claims of the
Prince of Augustenberg. This Bis
marck, in January, 1886, made the
subject of bitter dispatch to the
Austrian Government. A reply in a
similar tone kindled the torch, and
soon the dogs OF war were loosed.
In the meantime Bismarck's ever
watchful eye saw partly-united Italy
willing to take a fly at the throat of
her ancient enemy. He offered Ven
ice as the prize, and the offer was
gladly accepted. The war lasted
seven weeks, and at the end OF
that brief period the north
ern Duchies had been occupied,
Hanover, Hesse-C Cassel and Saxony
were in the grasp of Prussia, the
battle of Koeniggraetz had been
fought and the power Of Austria laid
prostrate in the dust. Soon after the
Treaty OF Prague was signed, whereby
Prussia annexed Hanover, Hesse-
Cassel, Nassau, Frankfort and
ScheswickHolstein. All states north
of the main were compelled to form
the North German Confederation
under the headship of Prussia. The
south. provinces were to form the
South German Confederation, on a
quasi independent basis; but before
the ink was dry on the signatures it
transpired that all of these had
formed a compact secretly with Bis
marck, by the terms of which in time
of war they were to put all their forces
at the disposal of Prussia.
King William had been with the
army in the field, and now re-
turned to Berlin, where the people
wild with joy forgot all past disputes
and were ready to grant the Govern
ment anything asked. For year or
two all went well, and the organiza-
ton OF the realm went on apace. But
the aspirations of the German people
for free institutions are deeply seated
They have their roots in the most re-
mote traditions Of the race. Bismarck
is an autocrat, and cannot brook to be
delayed, much less thwarted by Par
liamentary methods. Friction was soon
developed, and the Southern prov
inces were ready to revolt from the
Union. At this critical moment there
arose sore irritation with France.
Previous to the signing OF the Treaty
of Prague, Napoleon expressed desire
to be Compensated" by the control
of the left bank of the Rhine. Much
secret plotting went forward on the
part of the French Emperor, in which
Belgium or Luxembourg were the
pawns in the game. To all proposals
Bismarck turned an Indifferent if not
a deaf ear. Each step forced the
Emperor nearer to a war with Prussia.
He at last made pretext of propo-
sition to place Leopold of Hohenzol-
lern on the Spanish throne. On the
18th Of July, 1870, France declared
war against Germany. A telegram
from Ems, falsely stated that the
French Ambassador had been grossly
insulted by King William. Bismarck's
enemies charge that he caused the
false report to be bruited abroad in
order to precipitate the conflict. Ma
poleon hoped for Austria and
Italy as allies. In this he was
disappointed. His emissaries in
South Germany had led him
to think these provinces would hail
him as a deliverer. But the cruel
memories of the wars waged by the
great uncle of the Emperor forbade
such an event. Bismarck had all his
preparations we'll in hand. Before
the declaration of war had been we'll
understood at Berlin, the German
armies were in motion. They were
thoroughly equipped. They crossed
the Rhine like an avalanche
sweeps from the Alps. The
brave French soldiers were help
less owing to their miser-
able equipments. The blood-suckers
who had swarmed and were fester-
ing around the Second Empire
had sent these gallant fellows
forth to contend against the
needle guns of the Prussians,
with cartridges filled with sawdust.
In battle after battle the French were
beaten, until at Sedan came the fin
ishing stroke to the war. On the 28th
of January, 1871, Paris surrendered,
and on the 9th of May the peace of
Frankfort was signed By this treaty
France agreed to pay five millards Of
francs-the largest indemnity ever.
exacted of a people-and to restore to
Germany Alsace- Lorraine. The pay
ment of the war debt by France is
feat whose equal is not found in the
annals of history, ancient or modern.
This war settled the fate of Europe.
1t put Prussia at the head of Ger
many, made the German Empire not
merely possible thing, but an in
evitable one. At once negotiations
we're opened with all the provinces,
and these were kept up uninterrupted
ly until they were crowned with sue
cess by crowning King William EN-
peror of Germany. This was done
January IS, 1871, in the Hall Of Mir.
rors in the palace OF Versailles.
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