Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-03
STORY OF BISMARCK'S FALL.
Profound Sensation Created by an Article
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Profound Sensation Created by an Article in
the London "Times.'
A profound sensation was caused all over
Europe yesterday, according to O cable dis
patch, by the following story, published and
guaranteed to be authentic by the London
Times:
France now begins for the first time to
understand the cause of Bismarck's fall, and
the circumstances, unknown till Of late, which
accompanied it. The revelations are such that
the ex-chancellor's bitterest enemies hardly
venture to discuss what shadow he cast in his
descent from power over the brilliant young
emperor. His iron rule of late had been an
obstacle, an embarrassment and cause Of
irritation to everybody and a constant diff
Guilty in the dispatch of public affairs. Lat
terly he had seen none of the ministers of
whom he was the chief, had listened to none of
their objections and gave positive and definite
orders as If the opinions of his associates in the
government were Of no value.
He was almost inaccessible, and received
those only whom his caprice invited round
him. He tolerated no objections, listened with
condescending smile which condemned be-
forehand the ideas submitted TO him by his
young master, the emperor. He even ceased
really to work, while complaining bitterly If
the slightest decision was come to without con-
sulting him, and yet professed himself over
whelmed with labor whenever documents were
sent to him to sign.
HIS RESIGNATION REQUESTED.
He had become terror to all who were
obliged to come near him. Nobody ventured
to contradict him; even Emperor William III
saw him only occasionally, probably because
his majesty was afraid of disturbing or irritat-
ing him. At last the moment came when his
pupil. now his master, confronted the fact that
he was not master. but only chief servant. The
long restrained imperial discomfort broke into
open quarrel on a minor question and poured
forth in such torrent that the chancellor,
taken by surprise and disconnected, suddenly
resignation"
drew. Two hours afterward, the resignation
not having arrived, the emperor sent an aid
de-camp. The chancellor greeted him very
feebly, being convinced that the emperor
wished him to return and to reconsider his
idea Of resignation, but to Bismarck's horror
and surprise the aid-de-camp had been sent TO
demand his written resignation.
AN APPEAL TO THE EMPRESS.
The prince, very uneasy, made the lame ex-
cuse Of not having it drawn up and deferred
the matter till the morrow. Next morning the
aid-de-camp reappeared. This time Bismarck
was calmer, but again made the same excuse
saying that before preparing written resigna-
non he was bound to pay visit. Accordingly
he did pay visit, which, incredulous as it may
appear, we can vouch for. was to the Empress
Frederick. Yes, in panic at his fall, this man,
who but the day before had been the great
chancellor now stopped before her whom he
had 80 long humbled and explained the danger
to the empire involved in his fall and the fatal
consequences which the young emperor braved
in thus overturning the founder of the empire
He begged her majesty to intervene and to pre-
vent the disaster to Germany and the remorse
that her sovereign would feel at this unmerited
humiliation of his most faithful servant.
SHE RETURNED THE INSULTS.
The empress heard him out. She saw humil-
iating himself before her the man who had
hated implacably her husband and herself and
who had sown distrust between father and son.
No doubt she enjoyed the spectacle Of seeing
at her feet this bitter enemy. now dismissed by
the son, whom he had reckOned on making his
tool against her, and in q single sentence be-
coming on empress, a mother and woman,
she returned to this cringing diplomatist all
the insults he had cast upon her: II much re-
greet being quite powerless. / should have been
extremely glad to intervene with my son in
your favor, but you SO employed all your power
in estranging his heart from u.s. making bis
mind foreign to mine, that can only witness
your fall without being able to ward it
of. When You are no longer there my son
Will, perhaps, draw nearer to me. but then il
will be too late for me to help you"
The prince withdrew with downcast head,
and returning home found the aid-de-car y
waiting, who for the fourth time had come f.,
his resignation, which the fallen statesm an
handed to him.