Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-26
BERLIN'S BUDGET.
THE INTERESTING aAxE OF DIPL0-
MACY NOW GOING on.
The Bismarok-Kslnoky Combination to En-
trap Russia--rhs Russo-French Al
lisnee-crown Prices Criti-
cal Condition.
copyrighted 1855 by the Few York Associated


Copyrighted 1855 by the New York Associated
PresAl
BERLIN, February 25.-The skill OF
the players in the game of diplo-
macy now proceeding before the eyes OF
Europe makes its successive develop
ments in the highest degree interesting
but everybody recognizes the fact that
the ultimate Issue is war, whatever tenn
porary advantage diplomatic trickery
may achieve. The Bismarck Kalnoky
combination may soon entrap Russia
into false position from which only
submission with supreme humiliation
can rescue her unless she prefers war with
incomplete preparations, or the Cars
advisers may manage to postpone the
final crisis until they deem that the
fitting moment to strike has come. In
playing this waiting game Russia has
scored the first success.
Bismarck's formal invitation to the
Gar to demand the restitution of Rus
sian preponderance in Bulgaria conceal
ed beneath its apparent frankness Il pit
fall for Russian diplomacy. II the Gar
had interpreted the invitation to mean
that Russia was free to restore her status
in Bulgaria by force the crisis wonld
have been precipitated, and Russia would
have been drawn into the fighting
allies trap. This has been avoided, and
the protracted comedy of negotiations
will now be preceded by the tragedy of
war. There will be much wearisome
yearning about collective notes, differ
ences amongst the Powers, concert of
Powers for the deposition of Prince Fer
dinand, concessions OF Russia, adhesions
by Austria, and so forth but amid them
oil the situation will remain unchanged.
The Porte may condescend to the mock
cry of denouncing Ferdinand II the
Powers decide to declare that the order
OF thi1gs in Bulgaria is not quite in ac-
cordance with the Berlin treaty but the
result will be nothing. Prince Ferdinand
will not succumb till he is ousted by force.
The central Powers will accept no Rus
sian candidate, nor any settlement the
Gar can propose. Meanwhile Russia
has taken advantage of the delay to
complete the negotiations for a French
alliance, to extend the mobilization OF
her forces-which is now practically pro-
gressing-and to set troops in line OF
battle, with her immense resources or
gained since the discovery of the de-
fects in the transportation and commits
sariat departments.
Regarding the Russo-French alliance
it is reported that the treaty advances to
conclusion. NJ. Floquet has written
letter to high st. Petersburg official
affirming the desire of the Republican
majority to obtain perfect entente cor
didte with Russia. The letter was shown
to the Gar, and elected instructions to
Baron Won Mohrenheim, the Russian
Ambassador at Paris, TO negotiate
treaty if NJ. F'loquet's representations
were accurate.
The War Offices at Berlin and Vienna
find great obstacles in the way OF OBJ
tanning accurate information regarding
the displacements of Russian troops.
The bulk of reliable advices show I'M
abated internal activity in Russia directed
TO the massing of second line OF troops
behind tie frontier army.
To-night's National ZeituRg supplies
the latest Bulgarian rumors in dispatch
from Sofa to the effect that il the con-
certed Powers, declaring Prince Ferdi-
nand's rule over Bulgaria illegal, de-
mand that he abdicate the Prince will
relinquish his power, but will remain in
Bulgaria TO await the result of an cleo
ton, expecting to be returned to the
throne.
Professor Kussmaul, OF Strasburg, was
teleRrapl:ed for on the suggestion of Drs
Bergman and Krauss. Professor Kuss-
maui, who is recognized as an expert in
lung diseases, arrived tonight, and i'm
mediately saw the Crown Prince, but
nothing of an official character was al
lowed to be made known. Private advlces,
however. state that the Crown Princes
bronchial irritation appears to be compli-
Gated with lung disorder, partly arising
from pus secretions on the bronchia,
which have affected the lungs The Off
cial opinion in Berlin has become utterly
despairing. No weight attaches to the
bulletins issued by the doctors in the
face OF known facts. Advices received
at the palace do not conceal the critical
state of the Crown Prince. Professor Ger
hardt has not gone to San Reno. He
takes a discouraging view OF the Crown
Princes condition. He is convinced
that the malady is running Its course.
Other Berlin medical experts concur in
the belief that fatal termination is in
eyitable within three months, and ploba-
bly, much sooner.
The feeling i'll Germany is growing
strong that Prince William ought to dis
play greater interest in his fathers state.
Court circles know that the Princes
anxiety and sympathies are intense, but
that he has been prevented from going
to San Reno by State exigencies. Allu-
sions to the regency continue to appear.
but the papers have not the smallest
basis for their statements in anything
that has occurred officially. Meantime
the question is entirely wanting in ac-
tualty. The Prussian Constitution pro-
vides perfectly for all possibilities arising
from the death of the Emperor and the
concurrent incapacity the Crown Prince
to rule. Under Article 56 Prince Viii
liam, as Major Agnate, will become Re-
gent, the Landtag affirming his title.
| Doubt has arisen as 10 WnaL would nap
pen if the Crown Prince, should he con-
tinue ill and incapable OF discharging the
functions of Emperor when the throne
may become vacant, refused to consent
to the regency. The dilemma would I'M
doubtedly be attended with serious Off
cial trouble, but would end in the Land
tag supporting Bismarck's initiative in
confirming Prince William as regent.
The Emperor keeps in vigorous
health. He was deeply touched at the
death of his grandson. Prince Louis
was great favorite of his and the En-
peror cried bitterly when he heard the
news OF his grandson's death. The
court will go into mourning until the
14th of March. During the week the
Emperor has several times, while saluting
a crowd from his window in the palace,
been accompanied by the Crown Princes
three sons. Once the whole family,
the Princess, William, and the aged EN-
press, were seen grouped around the En-
peror. This made the spectators wild
with enthusiasm.
The depreciation in Russian paper
roubles is the absorbing interest in finan-