The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-03-27
THE TRUE REASONS WHY BISMARCK
RESIGNED-FACTs CONNECTED
WITH THE CRISIS.
ATTITUDE OF THE CLERICAL PARTY
Latent SmouIdering Anger in the Bis
marckian Circle--History of the Split
with the Emperor.

BERLIN March 22-The North German
Gazette supplies some much desired light
on the causes leading to Prince Bis
marcks resignation. sezing 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 re-
sign and had withdrawn and endeavored to
reconcile himself to the situation, but with
out success.
The North German Gazette says that
this, like the reports regarding the princes
opposition to the programme, is essen
TALLY erroneous. What has happened is
this: The chancellor did not wish to
make departure from the cabinet order of
| 1852 relating to the intercourse between the
Prussian ministers and the sovereign but
desired to retain his control and rights of
operation. The intercourse between the
emperor and the secretary of state is regu-
lated by the law of 18i2. It was only
within the last few years that
he felt it necessary to refer to that regula-
| ton. He considered its execution and OBJ
servance Indispensable and did not wish
| to be party to It's abrogation. The oppo-
sition he encountered in this matter finally
brought clearly nome 10 MIN Une necessity
| for his resignation.
The negotiations between Prince Bis
marck and DR.. Windhorst, with reference
to the Guelph fund and the attitude of the
clerical T arty 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 en-
peror personally or by the sovereigns of the
FaHaral IN inHnnp Ricno arnE 10
main at the head of the ministry of for
eign affairs. The tone of the Gazette only
feebly indicates the sullen, smoldering
anger which exists in the Bismarck
ian circle. The papers have hitherto
avoided touching the dangerous and
delicate question of the emperor's inter-
ference in ministerial responsibility but the
sion which may awaken the emperor to the
fact that personal direction of the govern
ment has not yet obtained supreme hold
upon the German people.
The complacency with which Bismarck's
retirement is now generally regarded may
soon be replaced with regret that the
county is left at the mercy of a self-willed
autocrat. The cabinet order of September
s, 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-
piles in harmony with his owD.
The emperor refused this reading and
maintained the right of the monarch to
appoint the ministers having a direct re-
sponsibility not to the president but to the
crown. The appointment of Baron Won
Berlepsch minister of commerce was the
opening thin edge of the wedge. The di-
rect instructions that the emperor gave to
Berlepsch affecting the economic policy of
the empire caused warm remonstrance
from the chancellor.
The emperor in q written communica-
ton sent by him to Bismarck early last
week explained his views of monarchlcal
prerogatives, his convictions that the chan |
CellorS claims were an encroachment on |
the rights of the sovereign and finally his |
determination to exercise a general and |
absolute control. About the same time di- |
rect overtures to Windhorst and other |
perors encourage, aiming to take the guild |
ance out Of Bismarck's hands, produced |
the climax of the crisis.
On Saturday the emperor got, as he |
probably desired and expected, an intima- |
ton of Bismarck's resignation and on |
Tuesday, in q closely written document of
twenty foios, the emperor received the |
chancellor S reasons for resigning. 1t was
hoped that the emperor would assent to |
an early publication Of this great historic |
apologize, but its non-appearance, besides
rescripts, imply that the EN-
peror considers it privatestate paper.
Bismarck has not parted with the en-
peror either in the sulks or in apparent
anger, for after his decision to retire be-
came definite the emperor consulted him
with regard to the choice of his successor
and followed his recommendation of Gen.
Won Caprivi The new chancellor yesterday
held long interview with Bismarck and
tonight dined with the prince and princess
in their palace.