Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-28
BIsMARCK'sLOss OF POPULARITY.
Some OF the Causes Of 1t as Learned by
an American in Germany.

From the New York Tribune
Tho most curious thing saw" said Chaun-
cey NJ Depew on his return from Europe in
september, twas the change which has &C.
CURED In Germany with reference to Bismarck.
lhree years ago he was the one great figure
OF all Europe. Today there are few
so poor as to do him reverence"
An indication of this alteration Of senti-
ment Il the large sale in Germany OF Q
little trick which is intended to belttle the ex.
chancellor 1t ia q porcelain saucer. on the in
side Of which, near the rim. is the questions;
Two list Bismarck" .'where is Bismarck"
The apparent answer is that he 10 nowhere, for
the surface of the saucer seems to be perfectly
PLAIN. One who ia not in tine secret turns tue
TOY over and over again, but fails TO ind the
solution of the puzzle.
The answer to the question is found by rub
bling with lead pencil! the inside of the saucer
until 1t is entirely black, when the features of
the prince appear When the graphite is
wiped off the picture disappears. few years
ago the maker or seller of such n toy would be
severely dealt with, but now the joke is laughed
at by pretty much the entire nation.
Perhaps 1t was one of those who are still
loyal in their devotion TO Bismarck who pu: on
the market plaything just like the one de-
scrlbed except that Chancellor Won Caprivl s
name and face replace those of his predecessor.
lhla second toy'hus not. however. had any
thing like the sale of is prototype. Looked at
seriously these jokes teach tho moral that II
bismarck is no longer in commanding position
Won Caprivi has by no means succeeded to ms
former eninence, and that the young emperor
occupies the pinnacle alone now.
Many Americans besides Mr.. Depew who
were in Germany Inst summer felt curiosity
concerning the place that the ex-chancellor oc-
cupies in tho affections of the German people
and inquired about il. Snid one Of those who
had asked y number of Germans about the ap-
parenty sudden revui5iop OF feeling with re-
gard to Bismarck:
II lcarped that il was not merely national in
gratitude, nor yet tao sympathy which nat
urally goes out to the upper dog in the fight
The ex-chancellor undoubtedly rcaped much
unpopularity on account of the great increase
OF taxation which is laid to his door. Bismarck
had always represented the government SO COM
pletely that he became identified with it
and received the blanc for the heavy cost Of
the army. Taxes have increased steadily and
the army has swallowed up the services of
moro and moro Young men. Bismarck has
;.massed large fortune, being the owner Of
several big estates, and il il believed by many
that he caused taxes TO be levied in a way that
would bear hardest on the common people aid
hshtest on the rich mon like himself.
1t Is a curlou2 fact that Emperor William 10
looked on by large part o, the mass of people
- the delivercr of Germany from BIsmarck's
heavy taxation. Yet the emperor is strongly in
favor of increasing the size OF the army and Of
greatly strengthening the navy. All this will
take money, millions OF it. yet William is looked
Oh as the friend OF the people,"