The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-29
EDITORIAL NOTES.

1t looks as though Bismarck has dOwned one
of his political foes, for back OF the Standards
Berlin correspondents announcement that Mill
lister Won Boettcher has been granted long fur
Tough, ostensibly for his health. but eventually
will resign on account of the Guelph Fund
scandal, Is a story that has furnished food for
gossip in diplomatic circles. The Minister. as
the cOadjurOr of Capriv, has for some time been
opposing Bismarck With considerable vigOr. The
ex-ChancellOr, whose wonderful nina holds
many a State secret, induced friend to call The
ReicbsiaG's attention to the fact shat on GER
tain occasion 3S7 500 lad been diverted 10 the
personal use OF Minister Won Boetticher. As the
latter was VcC-PIesident OF the Ministry and
Secretary of state for Home Affairs, the matter
assumed grave Importance. II transpired hat
some six yeas ago the Minister'S brotheI-in-law,
me chant of Dautzic. failed with liabilities
amounting to SS7, 800. BoetIicher was induced
by motives Of delicaey 10 lender his resignation
10 old Emu error William. Bismarck then held
BoetucEer III high esteem. and not only remOn-
straled against bis retirement, but presented the
matter to bis imperial master IN such light That
The am cunt of the brotler-in-law liabilities
handed 10 the Minister by prominent court
off cial. He at once assumed that he was in-
oebt ed TO the liberaiity of Old Emperor William,
but the insiuuatiOn conveyed by Herr Tramn's
IT cent query was that the contribution was not
a gift from the old Emperor but pluckiDg from
lie celebrated Guelph Fund. Events show that
tie veteran statesman. whose wishes once had
only TO be made known TO be gratifed can be
bitter In his resentment as lie generous
in his treatment of friend In distress.
All the London conference of 1889. when the
frontiers of Belgium were determined, the pow.
ers recognized the fact that the Kingdoms neu-
tTality was matter OF common concern. They
guaranteed its Independence In the interest OF
EuroI can peace, thus virtually reseiviug the
right to intervene, jointly or severally, II its
tr Atty were threatened. Indeed, Great Britain
so interviewed during the Franco-Piussan war.
In view OF the warlike preparations OF her neigh
bors, whose frontiers bfistle with forts, and the
possibility OF being converted into great battle
field by flank movements of German and French
armies, Belgium has since spent much money in
fOItiiying The Valley Of the Meuse. Recently
some Of the countiy's military veterans have
pointed out The defects of The present military
system, and novel turn was given to their criti-
cisms by The universal suffrage movement. Their
idea was that an Invasion by French or a Ger
man army would find the country powerless in
spite OF General Bralmonps costly Notifications,
the troops not now being numerous enough nor
loyal enough TO be seriously reckoned upon.
Compulsory military service they regard as an
imperative necessity, but they contend that the
object can only be attained through universal
suffrage. King Leopod's visit TO London. 1t now
appears, was very important one, Salisbury,
according 10 current reports, having promised 10
send feet and contingent OF troops II needed
TO preserve The Kingdoms neutrality in the event
OF hostties again breaking out, the object being
TO allow The Belgian army TO devote It's entire at.
tention to holding the forts IN the Valley OF the
Meuse.
While the recent indiscreet declaration of ex.
Premier Crispi that war was certain to occur
during the current year has provoked the retort