St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-11
HAS MET HIS MATCH.
Bismarck Finds in DR.. Geffc-
ken a Man Not to Be
Despised.
His Trial for Treason Will
Bring Out Some Remark :
able Facts.
1t Will Probably Result in the
Retirement of the
Chancellor.
Even Now He Is Playing a
Very Wheezy Second
Fiddle.
Special Cable to the Globe.

alCu renewed interest III the IOftnCOH-
ing trial of DR.. Geifcken, as it promises
10 bring out some remarkable facts. In
the journals which are at the absolute
disposal of Prince Bismarck, the asser-
ton has been sedulously spread that
DR.. Geffclen was the agent of fronde,
composed of the rather homogeneous ele-
ments of the advanced liberal and ultra
montana parties. Soon after the allega-
ton had been launched, it was diScOv-
cred that the Hamburg criminal in ques-
ton belonged to the free conservative"
group. This was no doubt a great blow
and inward discouragement to the
semi-Official writer's; but they there
upon declared that any rate the deed of
DR.. Geffcken was calculated to serve the
enemies of the empire" III saying so,
the fact that the author of the diary
was the first to demand the re-establish-
ment of the German empire was of
course conveniently overlooked. Now a
new discovery has been made. even
more fatal to the Bismarckian theory.
A pamphlet is brought to light which
DR.. Getfcken wrote during the war be-
tween France and Germany. under the
title of The Constitution of the Ger
man Federal State" 1t bears date of
Oct. 8. 1870. In it the author shows
himself to be. on all the chief questions,
ON THE SIDE OF BISMARCK.
Like the latter at that time, DR..
Geffcken had his doubts and hesltationS
as to the assumption of the imperial
title. Even as Bismarck, DR.. Geffcken
nv ~ ~ 70 Mi oh, ant nf IN
sponsible ministry for all Germany.
1.-The future German federal state" he
wrote, twill hear to even less than the
present North German confederation
the forms ola constitutional monarchy"
Proceeding Oh those conservative lines,
DR.. Geffeken declared that Bismarck
had been quite right in opposing the
motion formerly made by DR.. Twesten
and Count Munster for the establish
ment OF responsible federal ministry
Again, on the question as 70 whether it
would be feasible to form an upper
house, to consist of reigning princes
and members of the higher arlStocracy.
DR.. Getfcken supported the objections
of the leading Prussan statesman. So
also he pronounced strongly against the
use of
ANY FORCE OR PRESSURE
in regard to the states of southern Ger
many-''Wlth sic volo, sic jubeo," he
wrote, nothing can be done. The
presidential power of the confederation
has not, in the present case. van
Quished enemy before it who must
obey; but it has to deal with allies, two
of whom possess territory which con-
Northern states together, Prussia eX-
cepted." All this was in accordance
with the ScTliples, or rather apprehen-
sions, felt by Bismarck at time when
the then Crown Prince Frederick evil
IDENTITY saw things in a clearer light.
Still more, Dr.. Geffcken in his pamphlet
declared against the political demands
of the PrOgreSsiSt party of Prussia as
laid down in its programme of Sept.
20, 1S70-a programme which, to all APP
pearances. had the assent of the heir APP
parent. Here DR.. Geffcken spoke dis
paragingly of 1.-The danaides work of
the numerous constituent assemblies
which have framed constitutions since
1871. without having learned anything
by their failure; never going to the
trouble to take real forces into account"
This whole programmed" he added,
s'WOuld
ONLY BE AN AGGRAVATION
of the German imperial constitution of
1870" He then defends Bismarck S
own political 0duction-namely, the
constitution OF the North German con-
federation-and maintains that Bis
marck must also have a decisive voice
in the framing of the constitution for
the whole of Germany. With consider
able bitterness, Dr.. Geffcken attacks
1.-The Inevitable radical unreason which
sees threat to popular liberty in every
firmly established governmental power y
He is not less strong on 1.-The hatred the
ultramontaneS bear to every federal
constitution which confers the leader
ship upon Prussia" Finally, he desires
the abolition of triennial pariiaments
and the extension of the legislative
period to five years-a reform" which
the imperial chancellor has indeed lat
terry carried out. DR.. Geffcken is an in
dependent conservative who, in spite of
his political principles, stood well with
Frederick Ill. from his university days,
and therefore was entrusted with copy
of the diary. A statement from an APP
parently reliable source is to the effect
that some years after the war of of 1870
81 the Crown Prince Frederick handed
over a copy to DR.. Geffcaen for the pur-
pose of having his opinion on the lite
Cary
MERIT OF THESE MEMOIRS.
All this will come out atsthe trial. In
the meantime there is very general
feeling in Germany that if even a con-
sentative and q personal confidaIt OF
the late ruler is to be arraigned fol
"high treason" because he published
that mOnarch'S own written words,
Oriental despotiSm has found its match.
The perfect genuineneSS OF the eX-
tracts from the diary is now univer-
sally acknowledged. The question of
the relations between Emperor William
ii and Prince Bismarck continues to be
much debated; somewhat cautiously in
the press. very fully in political circles.
There is a saving attributed to the Ger
man chancellor when questioned as to
how the then Prince William would
stand with him should the prince sue
ceed to the throne. HE will be his
own imperial chancellor" was Bis
marck's reply. In this, at least, he
seems to have been
NOT FAR FROM TIE MARK.
The young emperor's recent journeys
about Europe. taken against the advice
of his chancellor, have had the result
of throwing Prince Bismarck into the
background. Day by day attention is
riveted upon the young emperor. In q
recent letter the chancellor used a
phrase paloably tinged with melan-
choly when referring to the lonesome
ness in which he himself now dwells.
The irony of fate has so willed it that
Bismarck was somewhat under cloud
during the short reign of Frederick Ill.
owing to political incompatibility, and
that now, when there is political har
mony on the main principles of govern
ment between him and the new kaiser
the masterful temper of the present
sovereign should again lead to the iror
chancellor taking a back seat"