Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-23
CAUSES ASSIGNED
FOR THE RESIGNATION OF PRINCE
BISMARCK
by tho "Gazette "-Regret May Ensue
That the Country Is Left mt the Mercy
OF n self-willed Autocrat.
copyright, 1880, By the New York Associated
prosel

BERLIN, March 22.-The North German
Gdzfne tonight supplied some much-de-
sired light on the causes leading TO Prince
Blsmarck's resignation, Selling the occa-
SION 70 contradict the statement OF the
hamburg correspondent that before the
,late crisis reached its climax the Chancel-
ior had already made application for leave
70 resign. and had withdrawn IT. and en-
a.eav9red 10 reconcile himself to the situa-
zion, but without success. The North Ger
man gGzete says that this, ike the reports
regarding the Princes opposition to the
hoor programme, il entirely erroneous.
what has happened is this: The Chancel-
LOT did not wish TO depart from the Cabi-
net order Of 1852 relating 70 the intercourse
between the Prussian Ministers and the
sovereign, but desired 10 retain his con-
troll and the right of cooperation.
The intercourse between the Emperor and
the Secretaries OF State IS regulated by
the law of 1852. II was only within the
last few weeks that Bismarck felt 1t ne
cessarv to refer 10 the regulation. He con-
sldered its execution and observance in
dispensable. and did not wish to be party
70 lts abrogatiOn. The opposition no en-
countered in this matter finally brought
clearly home TO him the necessity for his
resignation. The negotiations between
Bismarck and Windthorst with reference
10 the Guelph fund and the attitude Of
the Clerical party in the Reichstag were
only connected with tho crisis so far az
that the Chancellor refused to subject his
intercourse with tho Deputies TO any con-
troll. No steps have been taken by the
Emperor personally or by the soverelgns
of any Of the Federal States to induce Bis
marc to remain at tho head of the Ministry
OF Foreign Affairs. The tone of the CARTE
only feoblv indicates the sullen, shoulder
ing anger which exists in the Bismarcklan
circle. The papers have hitherto avoiding
touching the dangerous and delicate ques-
ton OF the EmperOrs interference in tho
ministerial responsibility, but the Gdzete.s
franknoss will lead to a discussion which
may awaken the Emperor to the fact that
n personal. direct system of government
has not yet obtained supreme hold upon
the German people. The complacency with
which BiSmarck's retirement Is now gene
rally regarded may soon be replaced with
regret that the country IS left at the mercy
OF n self-willcd autocrat.
The Cabinet order OF September s. 1852,
has always been held by Bismarck rs inter-
preting the Prussian Constitution to mean
that the President OF the Ministry ought 20
appoint his own Cabinet, choosing men
having political chances and principles
in harmony with his own. The Emperor
refused this reading and maintained the
r.
having direct responsibility. not to the
President. hut TO the Crown. The ap-
pointment Of Baron Won Gerlcpsche rs
MIN ter Of Commerce was thlnned OF
its wedge The direct instruction that tho
Emperor gave 20 Bcrgiepsch affecting the
economic policy oi the empire evoked
warm rcmOnstrsnce from the Chancellor.
The Emperor in written communication
sent by him early 10 Bismarck last week
a-rr.lnfrD.l hfu a. fIa fnOnnrC l1Ful
prcr0gatives-bis conviction that the
Chanccllor's claims were encroachments
on tho right Of the sovereign, and
finally his determination to eXcr-
else general and absolute control.
About the same time direct Overtures -
Windthorst and other leading Clericals
from persons in the Emperor's encourage
aiming 10 take guidance OF negotiations
cut of Bismarck's hands produced tho
climax of the crisis. On Saturday the
Emperor got. as he probably desired and ex-
pectod. an intimatlou Of Bismarcks resig
nation. and on Tuesday, lna closely-wrltten
document of twenty fOhos. the Emperor
received the ChancellOr's reasons for re-
signing IL was hoped that the Emperor
would assent to IN early publication OF
this GREAT historic APOLOGIZE, but Its non
appearance besides Thursdays receipts I'M
ulIes that the Emperor considers IL pr
NuLf NiNlt Iklti. DiNuldlih has NV Ait+A -
with the Emperor either IN sulks or in
apparent anger. for after his decision to
retire became definite tho Emperor con-
suited him with regard to the choice Of
his successor. and followed his recon-
meudation of General Won Capriyi. The
new Chancellor yesterday held q long IN,
terview with Bismarck, aud tonight dlned
with the Prince and Princess in their
palace.
since the crisis was disclosed, and os-
pecially since Blsmarck's resignation was
announced, Princess Bismarck has held
daily receptions. which have been crowded:
An the officials Of Berlin yesterday fled
through the salons. The retiring Chancel-
lor appeared for a short timo In the after
noon and seemed more alert, cheerful.
chatty. and bright than for years:
The National Gdzete asserts Bismarck
will not accept the title of Herzog Won
Lauenburg. The Bisnarckian sentiment
certainly Is that while responding to tho
Emperor's expressed desire. Bismarck
ought to accept no fayors or dignities
from the Emperor. He starts for Fried