The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-03-28
LEAVE TO RESIGN.
Cause of Bismarck's Request
to Be Allowed to Resign
the Chancellorship.
Emperor Williams Opposition
to q Cabinet Order the Rea-
son Of the Resignation.

10 b C8Oln6J Uruer Cu6 h6d'
son of the Resignation.
BERLIN, Specialize North German
Gazette tonight supplies some much de-
sired light on the causes leading to Prince
Bismarck's resignation, Selling the occasion
to contradict the statement of the Hamburg
Correspondent that before the late crisis
reached its climax the chancellor
had already made application for
leave to resign, and had withdrawn
it and endeavored to reconcile
himself to the situation. but without sue
cess. The North German Gazette says that
this, like the reports regarding the princes
opposition to the labor programme, is en-
tirely erroneous. What has happened is
this: The chancellor did not wish to depart
from the cabinet order of 1852 relating to
the intercourse between the Prussian min
listers and the sovereign. but desired to re-
tain his control and right Of co-opera-
ton. The intercourse between the
emperor and the secretaries of state
is regulated by the law OF 1852. It was only
within the last few weeks that Bismarck
felt it necessary to refer to that regulation.
He considered its execution and observance
indispensable and did not wish to be .
party to its abrogation. The opposition he
encountered in this matter finally brought
clearly home to him the necessity for his
resignation. The negotiations between
Prince Bismarck and DR.. Windthorst with
reference ~ the Guelph fund and the
attitude of the Clerical party in
the reichstag were only connected with the
crisis so far as that the chancellor refused
to subject his intercourse with the deputies
to any control. No steps have been taken
by the emperor personally or by the sover-
eigns of any Of the federal states to induce
Bismarck to remain at the head of the
ministry of foreign affairs. The tone of the
Gazette only feebly indicates the
sULLEN, sNoULDERING ANGER
which exists in the Bismarckian circle. The
papers have hitherto avoided touching the
dangerous and delicate subject of the en-
peror's interference in ministerial response
bility, but the Gazette's frankness will lead
to discussion which may awaken the en-
peror to the fact that personal, direct
system of government has not yet obtained
supreme hold upon the German people.
tirement is now generally regarded may
soon be replaced with regret that the
country is lett at the mercy of a selfwilled
autocrat. The cabinet order of Sept. 8,
1852, has always been held by Bismarck as
interpreting the Prussian constitution to
mean that the president of the ministry
ought to appoint his own cabinet, choosing
men having political opinions and princi
pies in harmony with his own. The EN-
peror re used this reading, and maintained
the right of the monarch to az
point ministers having direct responsible
ity, not to the president, but to the crown.
The appointment of Baron Won Berle psch
as minister of commerce was the thin end
of the wedge The direct instructions that
the emperor gave to Berlepsch affecting the
economic policy of the empire evoked
warm remonstrance from the chancellor.
The emperor, ina written communication,
sent by Kim to Bismarck early last week.
explained his views of monarchical prerog-
atives, his conviction that the chanceIlor's
claims were an encroachment on the rights
of the sovereign, and finally. his determine
ton to exercise general and absolute con-
to Windthorst and other leading clericals,
from persons in the emperor's encourage,
aiming to take the guidance of negotiations
out Of Bismarck's hands, produced
THE CLIMAX OF THE CRISIS.
On Saturday the emperor got, as he proba-
DIV desired and expected, an intimatiOn of
Bismarck's resignation, and on Tuesday in
a closely written document OF twenty foilos,
the emperor received the chancellor's rea-
sons for resigning. 1t was hoped that tho
emperor would assent to an early publica-
ton Of this great historic Apologize, but its
non-appearance beside Thursdays rescripts
implies thatthe emperor considersita private
state paper. Bismarck has not parted with
the emperor either in the sulks or in ap-
parent anger, for after his decision to retire
became detinitive the emperor consulted
cessor. and followed his recommendation
of Gen. Won Caprivi. The new chancellor
yesterday held a long interview with Bis
marck, and tonight dined with the prince
and princess in the palace. Since the
crisis was disclosed and especially since
Bismarck's resignation was announced,
Princess Bismarck has held daily recep-
officials of Berlin yesterday filed through
the salons. The retiring chancellor ap-
peared for short time in the afternoon,
and seemed more alert, cheerful, chatty
and bright than for years. The National
Gazette asserts that Bismarck will not &C
cept the title of Hersog Won Lauenburg.
The Bismarckian sentiment certainly is
that, while responding to
THE EMPERoR's EXPRESSED DESIRE,
as phrased in the rescript, "dass ihr rath und
ihre thatkraft. hire treue und hingebung
auch in zukunft mir und dem Vaterland
NIGHT entzogen VERDE" Bismarck ought
to accept no lavors or dignities from the EN-.
pecor. He starts for Friedrichsruhe March
80. The work Of reforming the ministry
will not be hurried. Count Her
bert Bismarck, however, persists in his
intention to withdraw from the foreign
office at the earliest possible moment, and
this obliges the emperor to make an imme-
date selection of his successor. Herr May
bach offered to resign, but the emperor OBJ
jected. Herren Miguel, Bennigsen and
Hinzpeiter are talked of as probable min
listers. Count Gutenberg, now civil gov
ernor OF Hesse-Nassau, who is an