Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-25
DISMISSAL OF BISMARCK.

An Account of the Democratic Episode
From Ono who Knows Berlin Cour
Secrets-The Chancellor Was Summoned
From Bed-Anser of the Young Em
peror.
interesting particulars ON the subject ol
Prince Bismarck's resignation from a man
who is alleged to be initiated into Berlin
court secrets as no other has been, and
whose information has always proved cor.
rect:
On Saturday, March Is, 1890, towards s
o'clock in the morning, while the Prince
was still in bed, he was informed that the
Emperor was waiting to see him in Count
of the Secretary of State. When the Prince
entered the room the Emperor received him
with the following words, spoken in tone
of the most vehement reproach: "You a
short time ago forbade the Ministers to
make reports directly to me, but 1 abso-
lutely wish that my Ministers present them
selves personally to me-"
"Your Majesty" answered the Prince, "by
virtue of the law alone am authorized and
charged to make direct reports to Your Ma
jesty; this is absolutely necessary if the
proceedings of the Government are to have
a firm and united character. If, within the
last few weeks, some Ministers have got
into the way of making reports to Your Ma
jesty, it is in opposition to the law, which
gives this right alone to the Chancellor of
Your Majesty. But as soon as Your Majesty
orders me I will yield to your wishes, and
propose change in the law"
'.Also in the working mems question, %
CT in tod
tone. my plans meet with your persistent
opposition. look to the measures which L
consider useful being carried out thor
oughly."
Il do not oppose the improvements which
Your Majesty thinks of introducing" was
the reply, "but my years of experience tell
me that some of them need certain moditi-
cations which are absolutely necessary, and
1 shall have the honor of submitting them
to Your Majesty"
'No, no; no notifications, interrupted
the Emperor. 81 wish my orders to be
carried out Just as 1 give them"
The severity of this expression of his will
at last exhausted the Princes calmness.
81 think can perceive that my services
are not fortunate enough to please Your
Majesty" he said, "and that some thoughts
exist of getting rid of me. %
The Emperor here made confirmatory
gesture with his hand; if it was done IN
knowingly it was not less significant.
"In that case there is nothing else for me
to do but to hand Your Majesty nv rasigna-
tion. 1 would only like to beg Your Mai
esty to let me remain in Office till May, so
that may personally defend the military
bill in the Reichstag. 1 fear my successor
would find it difficult. to break the opposi-
tion in Parliament and carry the BILL
While the Chancellor was speaking the
said at last, mo, no." The Prince bowed
without saying word, and waited for
sign from the Emperor to withdraw. After
a few painful moments of silence the EN-
peror said, still most excited: '"There is
still word to be said about your mysteri-
Gus negotiations with DIR. Windthorst. 1
know you receive him in your house, and 1
forbid these meetings"
But now the Chancellor, who the whole
time had kept his temper with the greatest
trouble, broke out and said: 'I know quite
we'll that for some time have been sur
rounded by spies and talebearers, who watch
every step take. 1t is true, and again 1
say it is true, that have invited Dr. Wind
thorst in order to discuss things with him.
But it is not only my right, it is my duty,
to have communication with skilled poll
ticians, whether they be members of Parlia-
ment or not, and nobody, not even Your
Majesty, will be able to prevent me from
doing So"
After these words, spoken in the greatest
excitement, the Emperor dismissed his
Chancellor with a simple movement of the
head. ~ ri