New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23
Copvrioht: 1890 BIZ The Ne,c- York Tribune.

Copyright: 1890 By The Ne,c- York Tribune.
London. March 22.-There a reception on
Thursday at the private residence Of Sir Philip
Curre. the permanent Under Secretary at the
Foreign Office. Sir Philip now lives IN that man.
sion opposite Hyde Park, just beyond the Marble
Arch once possessed by the late Mr. Bercsford
Hope, and then known as ArklOw House. 1t was
filled on Thursday with the smart London world,
including almost every dipomatlst domestic or
foreicn. asked one of the most eminent Of these
latter not a German-what he thought Of Prince
Bsmarck's retirement He answered:
ut is a disaster of which we see the begin
ming. but of which no man can foresee the end.
This wise and experienced Minister expressed
in that sentence his own opinion and the opinion
of Europe. This opinion of Europe includes even
that of France If Prince Bismarck cares for
tribute to his genius and character, and influence.
he has but TO turn to the French press. He was
exccrated in France as the Minister who had con-
trived and accomplished the humiliation of that
great country None the less does France de-
plorc his loss / quote the two journals which
on international questions speak with most weight
" Le Temps and, prominently. lie Journal des
Debats' The consequences of Prince Bismarck's
resignation are incalcnohlr say the former. The
Debats' declares that the presence Of Prince
Bismarck in Office a guarantee for tn peace
OF he world. M finer nor trucr homage ever
offered TO a departing salesman.
Why does he depart? The murmur of nnum-
cradle conccturcs has filed Europe for a week.
The most plausible and the most foolish guesses
are put forward with equal confidence omit
most Of them. If ever the public are allowed
to read those eighteen folio pages of large German
manuscript in which Prince Bismarck set forth
his reason for resigning. even then they would
probably have to read between the lines for the
true meaning of what must be OF the most
remarkable State papers ever pennel. No man is
more master Of the difficult art Of putting
stern purposes into smooth words 1t is certain
that neither age-Prince Bismarck will be seventy
| five next Tuesday week-nor ill-health, though he
is a martyr TO neuralgia and otherwise far from
well, had anything 10 do with his resignation.
| Ills iron frame has long been Iacked with mala-
dies which never shook his constancy. The po-
litica rcverscs Of the last election broke up his
majority in the Rcchstag. But Prince Bismarck
has governed Germany before now, as he governed
| Prussia before there was Germany. in the face
Of a hostile Parliamentary majority. Tho cleo
tions, we may be sure. gave him little concern.
| lie is supposed to have parted company with
| the Emperor social questions. Here we get
| little nearer to the truth. 1t is probable, IT Is
almost certain, in spite IF some den;als. when
ought 10 he authoritative but are not, that tie
| Emperor and Prince Bismarck were not at one in
that Sociasiic policy which the Emperor 50
suddenly adopted. and rashly proclaimed. NJ.
| Clemcnccau, with his penetrating perception, has
defined the Emperor as young and restless SON.
ereign. who under his soldiers uniform seems 40
| this moment prey to the mystical dreams OF
Christian Socialism: true description as far rs
il goes and il helps 10 explain the antagonist
between this Sol,lcr-Sociast and the Cham
f.., haaD ~ fllA
stun that dreams are made of. The Emperor be-
licvcd that he could control Socialism By putting
himself at the head of the Socialist movement.
lie took command as he thought, of the Social
army when lie summoned the Labor Conference
at Berlin Prince Bismarck warned him that lie
would strengthen, not weaken movement when
aimed ultimately ut subycrtins Imperial ai-
thorify The elections have shown that lie was
right
But neither does this disagreement explain
Prince Bsmarck's decision II there be any SIN
Gle difficulty or detail TO which his resignation can
be traced it is probably the refusal of the En-
pcror to accept Prince Bismarcks view OF the re-
lations between himself as Prime Minister and
| his COLLEAGUES Prince Bismarck desired the other
Ministers to be- primarily responsible 10 him. lie
Emperor insisted that they We're responsible only
to the Crown. That difference technical III ioru'
goes TO the root of the difficulty
For the real question at issue between these
two men was which OF then. should rule Ger
MANY Long since Prince Bismarck said. Prince
! William will BE- his own Chancellor. lie de-
tectcd-it was not even then difficult 10 detect
the masterful spirit Of the young Prince. between
whom and the Throne there were then two lives.
The prophecy has come true perhaps litile
sooner than its author expected. Others. too.
| have seen the crash coming The next Cham
ccllor crisis said wcll-lsnown diplomatist last
autumn. will be the last" Nor is Prince Bis
| marck the man for hall-measuns He would
either govern Germany or not govern it. and his
loyalty to his Sovereign Is such that he would
leave it absolutely to his Sovereign 10 choose be-
tween these two alternatives. The Sovereign has
| chosen and the Chancellor disappears
That is the real truth. 1t is the simplest solu-
ton which is the right one. He who created the
German Empire and bore sway over it from tbs
hour Of IFS birth till now has vanished. lcster-
day there WAS Prince Bismarck. To-day there
is only a Duke OF lauenburg Yesterday Germany
the Germany VI Prince Bsmarck-was the arbitcr
of Europe. the guarantee of the peace of the
world To-day there rises upon the horizon 4
new GERMANY under a new ruler. and no man
can predict what the day may bring forth. The
| first specific danger is the weakening of the Triple
| Alliance. II it be not weakened its object may
| he altered. III has 'tch Il lca-hc OF peace 10
may become an instrument of war. The German
| Emperor is before all things a soldier: he IS
| credited with vast ambitions: and his first act is
to choose soldier TO conduct his negotiations
| with Europe.
If General Won Caprvi were really Prince Bis
marcks successor the choice would he ominous
indeed. But Prince Bismarck leaves no successor.
The title of his great Office may pass TO another.
| but TO transfer his authority in Europe his pres
tigc. his unriyacd tact, his experience. his conn
handing influence. is beyond the power of the
! Emperor General Won Caprivi Is reported To be
able versatile and skilled in business. But he
with whom Europe has now to deal Is not General
IanriNi lint tLn Ilnnernr Anuih sL.ncends