Omaha daily bee., 1889-02-03
Something of the Habits of the
Great Chancellors Son.
A MOST AGREEABLE COMPANION
And One of the Hardest Workers on
the Continent of Europe.
TOlLlNG FROM MORN TO NIGHT,
He Yet Finds Time to Entertain a
Host of Warm Admirers.
HIS CHEERFUL BACHELOR HOME
Often the Scene of the German Capi-
tails Most Brilliant Social
Events-An Interview
-" on Samoa.
Germany's Secretary OF State.

BERLIN, Feb. 2,-TSew York Herald
Cable-Special to THE BEE THE Herald
correspondent had to- day at his request the
honor of being received in private audience
by Count Bismarck. His excellency re-
ccived me this forenoon in his study in what
used to be Prince BismarclSs private resi-
dcnce, but which is now occupied by the
ministry of foreign affairs. One is obliged
to traverse several plainly furnished ante
rooms, where the sounds of footsteps are
completely deadened by the thickness of
Smyrna carpet, and the only ornaments to
be seen are enormous maps suspended
on the walls. Through rough, heavily padded
folding doors one enters spacious
study, the windows of which open on court
yard, where a majestic walnut tree spreads
out it's now leafess branches, while from be-
hind rough board fence magnificent old
trees form a back ground Towards the
middle of the room is great broad desk en-
tirely covered with documents and blue port
folios, letters, papers and dispatches. On
the walls, extending the length of the room,
is round table with a few chairs placed in
front of rather old fashioned sofa A
broad chaise lounge extends into the room
from the other sde The only other furn-
ture in the room are book cases and paper
stands. Over the mantel piece is a large
photo of the prince chancellor, signed by
himself.
In this room are the ends of the threads
by which the foreign policy of the German
empire is set in motion, and here an amount
of work is mastered that would greatly over
tax the strength of many. Count Herbert
Bismarck is considered one of the hardest
workers among the officials, and in Berlin,
the city of hard workers, work begins with
him at the early hours of morning, and he
rarely ends his toll before midnight. The
count carries nothing over to the morrow. In
addition, his social duties take up q great
deal of his time. He is constantly entertain
ing, and he is an amiable host and a most
lively and interesting companion. His inv-
tations are numbered among their most well
come social prizes by those fortunate enough
to have secured the entree at his house.
The parliamentary soirees inaugurated at
his cheerful bachelor home this winter are
the social events of the Berlin season. The
leaders of the German and Prussian official
world, the most distinguished representa-
tives of the army and navy, the highest
court fuuctionaries give rendezvous at his
house to representative men of all parties in
the reichstag and the Prussan landtag
Around those numerous little tables crystal
lze little groups of men, whose views coin.
eide, holding lively discussion on the
events of the day. The most exquisite
viands, excellent wines, and the choicest
cigars are there to satisfy the material wants
of the guests. These entertainments last, as
a rule, until the "wee sma' hours' of the
morning.
His excellency was gracious enough to ac-
cede to my request that he would explain the
position taken by the German government on
the Samoan question. What he said was in
substance as follows:
Public opinion in Germany is not as ex-
cited over the Samoan question as is shown
by the stand taken by the German press.
The German government never allowed the
least doubt to obscure the fact that all that
is desired is Samoa was to uphold the lawful
and orderly state of things hitherto existing,
together with maintenance of peace, order
and quiet. Certain coterieS who, from in
terested motives, sought to cast suspicion on
the plain, straightforward purpose of the
German government, would certainly not
find believers among sensible people, for it
is one of the most important distinctive
habits Of German policy that engagements
are honorably carried out and subterfuge
avoided. This distinctive trait is admitted
by tho whole world, and cannot again be
made the subject of dispute by secret agiua-
tors. The whole world knows that when
Germany says black or white, black or white
is meant.
In the Samoan question, too, Germany
spielt nit otfenen karten at Washington. In
the summer of 1887 Germany, together with
the United States and Great Britain, tried
TO come to an agreement by which the joint
interests of the three powers might be made
secure in these islands, but this conf renee
concluded its ldbors and adjourned ithout
having obtained any definite result. There
is no treaty concerning Samoa in existence,
either between the United States and Ger
many or between the United States
and Great Britain. Treaties were
made between the United States,
Germany and England, on one
hand, and the Samoans. The upholding OF
these treaties is therefore matter, of course,
of equal Importance TO all interested. The
worst feature in the case is that in Samoa
whatever government was at the head of
affairs seemed to be totterng to a fall. The
same phenomena have shown themselves
there as nave been ob5essed for centuries in
other islands Of the South sea group. The
savage inhabitants there have no conception
Of respect for and subordinaton TO consti-
tuted authority. Always at feud among
themselves, the strongest conquers and
rules, but only until stronger
comes. These mutual quarrels had
formerly less significance, as long
as they were fought out with spears
and arrows, but the more the natives felt the
contact of civilization, the more they equipped
themselves with powder and muskets, some
of them of the percussion cap pattern, the
bloodier the battles became and more rapid
the succession OF conquerers and rulers, TO
the increasing dctriment, naturally, of the
civilized residents Of the islands.
This was the case IN Sam>a. Malietoa, in
his time. made war for Tanasesc, and now