The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-30

the young Kaiser were constrained by
precedents TO- take for his Chancellor
the man who alone could WELD q
majority Of the Reichstag. It is almost GER
tain that the choice OF BISMARCK would be
eventually imposed on his reluctant SOW
ereign. Yet who can say but that the con-
cession which BISMARCK refused to grant,
while in the plenltude OF power he may ex-
tort while In opposltion3 It is now quar-
ter OF a century since he solemnly pledged
himself to German Liberals to confer upon
the fatherland two blessings. He promised
to make Germany first united, and then free
In the sense which political freedom bears
In England. The first boon he has long ago
conferred, and who knows but the bestowal
OF the latter has been reserved for the hour
OF his eclipser
It Is certain that Chancellor CApR1v1 will
have some difficult questions to deal with on
the reassembling Of the Reichstag, and that
to such strategist as BISMARCK great OPP
portunities will not be wanting. The ex-
Chancellor has already communicated with
the representatives OF the landholders. that
is to say tho Conservatives proper. and the
members Of the Reichspartei. and informed
them that he will espouse the interests Of
pEOuuCcIS Wy uohVuhSihtS cho WIN"
mercial treaty arranged with Austro-
Hungary. The assumption Of such a
position will from the outset place be-
hind him a powerful section OF the
Reichstag. His affiliations with the
survivors OF the National Liberals are
particularly close: indeed the seat which
he will occupy was obtained as candidate
Of that party. OF all members OF the Reichs-
tag who look with distrust and fear on the
extension Of the Socialist movement. lie Is
the obviously designated leader. Again. no
ono can predict what attitude In this crisis
OF his political career BISMARCK may take
in tho event OF contest between the
Lutherans and Free Thinkers on the one
hand and the Catholics on the other. 1t is
known that the Ultramontanes. who were
formerly guided by WINDTHoRsT. are re-
solved to press two motions during the next
session OF the ReichstaR. namely. one
for the readmission Of tho Jesuits.
and one for the transfer OF the
GUELPH fund to the heirs Of the
late King OF Hanover. Whichever side
OF these two questions Chancellor CAPR1vI
may choose TO occupy. BISMARCK by taking
the other may defeat him. For. assuming
that he will have ut his back most OF the
Conservatives. Of the Reichspartei. and Of
the National Liberals. we must see that
with the aid OF the Progrcssists he could
defeat both proposals Of the Clericals. even
we're these supported by the Government.
On the other hand. should the Government
oppose them. he can by carrying his fol-
lowers to the aid OF the Ultramontanes pass
both OF the above-named measures. Which
course he will take it is as yet not easy to
foresee. But one thing seems reasonably
certain. that. whereas the late Chancellor
used to greet the Reichstag Us tho mouth
piece OF the Emperor. he will now and hence
forth speak and act for BISMARCK.
Never since the Reichstag met twenty
years ago has there been session so pro-
foundly interesting as that which we are
about to witness. Never before has the OPP
position had leader fit to cope with En-
perors. Never before has there been so fair
a chance Of compelling acquiescence in the
principle of Ministerial accountability. We
may add that Prince BISMARCK will possess
an advantage never before commanded by
leader OF the opposition. namely, the firm
support Of the representatives Of Bavaria.
W1rtemberg and Saxony in the Federal
Council or upper House Of the German
Parliament.