The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-08-13
THE RUPTURE WITH BISMARCK.

THE RUPTURE WITH BISMARCK.
The first rupture came in March, 1889, when
Bismarck interfered with measure for the
form of the income tax, which the emperor had
sanctioned Following this. differences arose be-
tween'the emperor and the chancellor concerning
the policy to be pursued with Russia and Switzer.
land, and then the hitch between the policies of
the two regarding the bill to make the law against
social democracy permanent one. the emperor
tax ing the stand in opposition to Bismarck, that
this law had not only proved barren one, but
had increased the power of the very party against
which it was aimed. The Imperial decree. Feb.
ruary 4, 1890, in favor of the protection Of WON.
ems and children's labor. was direct blow at
the chancellor. who strenuously opposed such
measure, and which, coming in the midst of the
elections for the Reichstag. resulted in a crush.
ing defeat for him.
THE FINAL CRISIS.
But the final crisis came when Bismarck, arrang.
ing for a new party combination to overthrow his
opponents, attempted to form a coalition with the
UltramOntane Centre party through confidential
interview with its leader, DIR. Windthorst. 'Bis-
marck had asked the emperor that, in virtue of a
cabinet order of 1852. his colleagues should be
bound to submit beforehand to him any proposals
of political Importance before bringing them to
the cognizance of the sovereign. The emperor
had refused and insisted upon the cancellation of
that order, and now when he heard of the
Windthorst interview he called upon the chancel-
lor,sasking to hear what had passed in that con.
versation. Bismarck declined to give any account
of it, as he could not submit his intercourse with
deputies to any control. and added that he was
ready to resign if he no longer possessed his
ereign's confidence. But he did not send in his
resignation until, to his astonishment. an I'm.
perial aid.de-camp came in the evening to remind
him of his words by command of the sovereign"
Even, Professor Geffcken continues. when he was
thus compelled to offer his. resignation he never
dreamt of the possibility of its being accepted land
was thunderstruck when he received the emperor's
speedy answer.
In the choice of Bismarck's successor Professor
Geffcken asserts, the emperor gave proof of his
capacity to govern. Than General Won Caprivi,
he believes. better could not have been
chosen for the place.
MEASURES OF REFORM UNDER WILLIAM.
Under William II. number of important inter-
nal reforms have been carried chief among which
is the law for the protection of women and chill.
;dren's labor, making attendance upon school
obligatory during certain periods, and preventing
dustry, and further providing that the work of
women shall not exceed maximum of eleven
hours a day.
HIS CHARACTER.
civilian II. is undoubtedly the most remarka.
BILE sovereign OF the present time. He is modern
man, notwithstanding certain proclivities which
still adhere to him like pieces of shell of an egg
from which the bird has issued. With restless
activity he seizes upon all questions which agi-
tate our time, be they large small. To-day he
speaks great European affairs. opens new issues
to German commerce, and proclaims social re-
forms; tomorrow he opens an art exhibition and
takes a personal part in the performance of
Wildsnbruch's patriotic drama, The New Lord.
He presides over his council and shows himself
a ready debater, opens scholastic conference.
laying down his educational plans, and indefatiga.
bly, travels his country in order to every.
thing with his own eyes"-Review Of Reviews.