The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-05
Have Offers Been Made to Bismarck =

That was an interesting report from Ber-
lin which we printed yesterday. According
to our correspondent. the young Emperor
recently deputed Count RANTzAU. q near
friend of the BIsMARcKs. to visit the ex-
Chancellor and communicate the condl-
tions on which tho latter might return
to his old post. The conditions were not
particularly onerous. the Kaiser merely
insisting that the attacks upon the Gov
eminent in BIsMARcK's newspaper organ
should cease and that the ex-Chancellor
should call upon his sovereign at Potsdam.
We are told that BISMARCK. nevertheless,
repealed these overtures. and declined to
assist in extrlcating the Emperor from the
difficulties in which a change OF advisers
has involved him.
There is nothing improbable in the re-
port that WILLIAM II. has desired to recall
his former Chancellor. 1t is certain that
Germany now occupies in the eyes OF Its
own people and OF foreign observers less
secure position than it held three years ago.
Tho Triple Alliance has been weakened by
the patent inability OF Italy to maintain
much longer the military and naval arma-
ments which would render her cooperation
valuable. 1t Is true that BISMARCK must
have encountered the same element OF
weakness. but no might have mlnimized
its effect by redoubllng his efforts to
avert q counter coalition on the part
Of France and Russia. Up to the
time of his removal from office. all the
attempts OF tho Paris Government to ar-
range with the Car common political
programme had proved unavailing. Tho
I,, L.,lt 4
because BISMARCK had publicly pledged
himself upon the point. that the league
with Austria would be literally construed,
and that tho HApsICHGs could rely on
German assistance only in case they were
attacked simultaneously by two OF the
great powers. In the event OF duel be-
tween Austria and Russia for preponder-
ancc in southeastern Europe. the combat
ants would be left to fight it out among
themselves. Nothing could. indeed, DO
more nncquivocal than BIsMARCK's prom
Use that Germany would never Inter-
pose to avert the assertion of Russian
ascendancy over Bulgaria. While such as
suranccs were given and accepted with
regard to question OF peculiar interest for
Russia. no pains was spared to strengthen
tho traditional bonds Of good will between
the courts OF Berlin and ST. Petersburg.
proof OF the care taken to foster this feeling
during BIsMARcK's tenancy OF Office Is to be
found in the fact that the very first visit
paid by WILLIAM II. to foreign sovereign
was made to the Car. 1t Is significant OF
the radical change In the relation of the
Russian end German soyereigns that the
visit has not yet been returned. On tho
other hand. We have witnessed the visit OF
the French feet to Cronstadt. and the con.
cluslon OF an understanding between France
and Russia. which is not the less ominous
for Germany because it may not have taken
the form Of a written treaty.
1t Is evident that BISMARCK does not
think the understanding between the Car
and the French republic can now be broken,
for he expressly bases his refusal OF the
overtures made to him by WILLIAM II. on
the ground that tho alienation OF Russia
from Germany has gone too far. We must
also infer that Germany. in his opinion.
would. In spite OF the support derivable
from Austria and Italy. he overmatched by
France and Russia; and this. we believe. is
tending to become tho conviction OF all
well-informed observers. But. 1t may DO