The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-11-27
AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.

The cordiality with which the Emperor
OF Germany has been received in Vienna,
and the apparently thorough good under
standing which exists between him and
the Emperor OF Austria, have given
Europe a new feeling OF assurance in the
continuance of the present relations be-
tween the Great Powers. That the
young Emperor should have made his
first visit to st. Petersburg, and that the
character OF his diplomatic suite seemed
to indicate some purpose to exert deti-
mite diplomatic influence, gave rise to
disquieting rumors OF a possible change
OF relations which might have thrown
the apple OF discord among the armed
nations OF the Continent. If Germany
had come once more to an understanding
with Russia, the present alliance be-
tween Austria %nd Italy could hardly
have continued, nor could Russia and
France have remained long in their pre-
sent friendly relations if Russia had
again fellowshpped with Germany But
the German Emperor has followed his
visit to st. Petersburg with similar
visit to Vienna, and those who are care
fully watching the signs Of the times, rs
ICtiN1 III llAC IAONCL1lCtllO Vi klLC IlCSlQS VI
the Government, are inclined to the
opinion that the visit to st. Petersburg
was more matter OF courtesy than OF
diplomatic intention, and that the ALI
ances remain as they were. 1t becomes
more and more clear that the young
Emperor intends to be the actual as we'll
as the nominal ruler of Germany. His
speeches make it clear that while Ger
many may have Prime Ministers, it is to
have sovereign who will bear on his
own shoulders the responsibilities and
burdens of the government. The speech
of the Emperor's friend, Count Douglas,
delivered at Ascherslaben last week,
appears to have been Il deliberate notifi-
cation to Germany that henceforth the
Emperor William, and not Prince Bis
marck, will shape the policy OF the Gov
eminent.
Meanwhile the excitement over the
publication OF extracts from diaries of the
late Emperor Frederick shows small
signs of abating. Professor Geffcken,
through whom the extracts were made
public, has been arrested, but as yet no
definite measures have been taken to-
ward his formal prosecution. 1t is said
in some quarters that the Professor is in
sane, and that he is not responsible for
his action. Now that the text of the
Emperor's diary has been published at
considerable length, it is easy to under
stand the anger of Bismarck and the
men who have impressed distinctively
imperial policy on Germany. Not only
do the important part which the late
Emperor played in the establishment of
the Empire, and his sagacity and fore
thought, become apparent, but the dis
passionateness of his temper, the liber-
atty OF his views, and the nobility of his
ideal for Germany ARE disclosed in all the
fullness and frankness which sincere
and frank man would use in making per-
sonal memoranda Thoughtful Germans
can hardly contrast the ideal OF the En-
peror Frederick with the actual achieve
ment OF Bismarck without keen sense
OF what was lost by the long-delayed
accession to the throne of ruler whose
instincts were all for freedom, and who
seemed to grasp in statesmanlike spirit
the noblest possibility of his country.
Bismarck's services in the consolidation
OF Germany were so many and SO great
that he can well afford to part with the
almost exclusive renown which had
come to him while the people believed
that the modern German Empire was
creation Of his own brain. 1t was Bis
mar who undermined Austria's posi-
ton, led her into the Schleswig- Hol-
stein war. disconnected one by Que with
infinite patience and tact the strong ties
which united her with her German
allies, and finally led her into the terri
bic bIunder of war with Prussia, in |
which the fruit of years of diplomatic !
scheming was plucked on the field OF |
battle. Bismarck does n0g seem, how
ever, to have realized the strength OF the |
racial German sentiment among the |
southern members of the German Con-
and it is at this point that
the difference OF opinion between him
self and the Crown Prince Frederick
arose. The Grown Prince understood
the temper of the Southern German peo-
Pile, and believed that the former
allies OF Austria were ready to ac
cept the leadership of Prussia. He
therefore, the Fabian po-
icy OF Bismarck, and urged more
aggressive and immediate measures.
The Crown Prince believed that the time