Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-27
WHY BISMARCK RESIGNED
Some Light Thrown on the Subject
by the North German Gazette.
The Guelph Fund Had Very Little to
do With His Purpose.
Bismarckian Circles in Heat of
Passion Over the Affair.

LONDON, March co.'s the peace OF
Europe to be involved by the resignation
OF Bismarck?
This is now an absorbing question
Those versed in European affairs have
foreseen as inevitable this step, but its
effect is a different matter The iron
chancellor held the will of the
grandfather William-in the
hollow of his hand. With him
Bismarck's word was law. Whether,
under the hostile influences of
his empress and her party, the
invalid Emperor Frederick would have
changed tnIs cannot be conJectured. But
1t was the gossip of Europe that the pre-
sent young emperor, before his accession,
had as his intimates clique headed by
Count Won Waldersee, known to be mimi
cable to Bismarck, and which was regard
ed as a warikp copy The French press
was in fever Of excitement over the &C
cession of the young emperor, regarding it
as certain war
This feeling all Europe nervously
shares. To still this feeling it required
repeated pacific utterances on the part
OF the young emperor, and the apparent
continuance of Bismarck in his position
as confidential director of affairs. But
a most significant thing was the elevation
of Couns Won Waldersee to a high posi-
ton in the army and one close to the
emperor, which must have been a bitter
pill to the iron chancellor, and one he
doubtless swallowed with but i'll grace.
The German press is kept under such
close supervision that the true state of af-
fairs tt ere is not reflected. While every
thing that Germany does is regarded by
&lo
by columns of German gossip daily pub
ished in the French press, involving the
most minute personal details concerning
the emperor and those around him, much
is too colored by bitter prejudice as to
make d clear judgment.
From time to time there have several
things leaked out which indicate there can
be no doubt there would hav Leen rup-
ture long before between Emperor William
and Bismarck but for two deterrent condi-
lions. First, the chancellor regarded him
self, and was regarded, as the creator of
the empire. Second, the burden of the
debt of gratitude of the Hohenzollern
family to Bismarck rested heavily on the
young ruler and he could not afford an
issue with the chancellor too soon, as it
might place him in an unpleasant posi-
ton before his subjects.
Bismarck is for peace, and William
wants to be a second Frederick the Great.
That there will be war between France
and Germany, there can be no doubt, and
it will be short and unsanguinary.
BERLIN, March 20.-1he National Ca
zette, referring to Prince Bismarck s re-
marks, yesterday, to Sig. Boccardo, one
of the Italian delegates to the labor con-
ference, that the paths of Italy and Ger
many would be identical in the future as
they had been in the past, says that the
observation may confidently beappied to
the German foreign policy generally. The
appointment of Gen. Won Caprivi to sue
coed Prince Bismarck, the paper says,
has nothing of a threatening character.
1t calls attention to the fact that the Duke
of Wellington was at one time prime
minister of Great Britain, and declares
that German generals appreciate the
blessings of peace no less than other Ger
mans
The Nossiche Zeltung says that the ten
sion has been brought to a climax by the
fact that the destinies of Europe have been
suddenly deprived of their axis Prince
Bismarck was a guarantee of peace. History
will preserve the memory of his services
in the cause of peace His successor will
be compelled to Immediately deal with
the question of the reduction of the mill
tary burden, in the interests of peace. The
nation witnesses the retirement of Prince
Bismarck with regret, but without anxi-
ETY., hoping that his life will still be long
and happy, and that he will be able to fol-
low the development of the country.
BERLIN, March 20 A special edition
of the Reichsanzieger contains the imper-
lal rescripts!, cordially thanking Bismarck
for his services and appointing him duke
OF Lauenberg, colonel general of cavalry
and field marshal general; also appointing
Count Herbert Bismarck ad interim min
lister of foreign affairs, and Gen. Won
Caprlvl chancellor and president of the
Prusslan ministry.
The National Gazette says the emperor,
In a long letter to Bismarck, extols his
services to the state, and expresses pro-
found personal gratitude
Bismarck's acceptance of the dukedom.
the offer of which by William | he repeat
edly declined, has occasioned surprise. In
the emperor first rescript he says, in ac-
cedng to the request made on the 18th
nst, that he grants Bismarck permission
to retire, hoping confidently that the faith
erland will profit in the future, as it has
profited in the past, by his counsel,
The emperor says that he regard s
it as the most providential lispensation of
his life that on several occasions he has had
Prince Bismarck by his side What the
prince has achieved for Prussia and Ger
many and what the prince has been to
him and his predecessors, he will ever pre-,
serve in grateful remembrance. Bis
marck' 5 wish and energetic policy of
peace. by which his majesty is resolved to
be guided in the future, being fully
convinced of its correctness, will ALWAYS
be remembered abroad and will deserve
recognition. 1t is not in the power of the
emperor to reward Bismarck for his err
vices; but as sign of his lasting thanks
he confers upon him the dignity of the
Duke of Lauenburg, and presents him
with life-sized oil painting of himself
In the second rescript, the emperor
thanks Bismarck as military leader for his
invaluable services in the army during the
time of William |, and to the present day,
adding that he will be at one with the
army by retaining Bismarck in the highest
rank by appointing him field marshal gen
eral and colonel general of cavalry.
The rescripts abound in affectionate
expressions of regard and concludes
God bless you, dear prince. and grant
you many years of untroubed old age
frightened by the consciousness of duty
truly fulfilled
BERLIN, March 20.-Gen Won Caprivi
was born tifty-nine years ago, his father
being prominent criminal iurist and
judge of the Prussian supreme court and
his mother tho uc,btar of :, oolloc., ,,,,o,;