The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-01
THE GERMAN SITUATION.

norta We receive in this country from Ger
manv give us a crisis in political affairs is sp-
preaching there.
Il "a true that on its face that crisis seems TO
ha M mora than personal contro-
vs,sv betveeu the Emperor and Prince
bismarck. but when We consider Ai
that is behind what IS now transpH-
inc then we see very clearly that the personal
;sr betueeu these two individuals Is one be-
tween representatives Of two separate and
dis,inot sohools of politics. violent collision
bs,ween which may BE- directly preeip.tased
"a tho result OF the threatened collision be-
tween the sovereign and the popular idol
To understand the controversy as it now
exists we must take brief retrospect
The lives and policies Of the late Emperor
William and Bismarck were certainly in per-
fact upison and accord. All that the public
saw Of their official acts proved this, but 10
man can read Busch's bismarck In the
Franco German War" the daily record OF the
great Chancellor's life. without seeing that
the relations between these two characters
were those Of two deyotedly fond friends IL
stead Of the official relations between Soyer-
eien and Prime Minister. You may say that
bismarck concurred thoroughly with old
William in the idea that Germany was 70 be
heavily imposed upon to maintain an I'M
mense standing army and that the army was
cancer eating at her very viials
But while this was true. all men knew that
the prime object Of both Emperor and Prince
was the safety Of Germany. her glory aud
honor. and that each would gladly have aban-
doned the standing army institution If the
general face and condition Of Europe would
have permitted this TO be done with safety u
the Empire. All men knew that both had
nearest their hearts the peace. dignity and
material interests Of all Germans, and that
the army was cherished by them only as
means by which these ends could be attained.
But when the foolish boy now ruling Ger
msny's destinies came 20 the throne another
controlling and fundamental idea was sub
stituted for that which had Heretofore pre-
vailed. With mind filled with foolish ideas
Of military glory gathered from middle age
romances. he showed promptly that in his
view the people existed as Observation-Disclosures
20 maintain the army. the life and well being
of which for glory and renown in war was
the first and chief object Of a statesman.
German interests and German safety we're
of no consequence except rs they followed
along in the train of great army that be-
wildered theimagnation with its gided epau-
let's and number of guns. The world has
known that the great Chancellor, at the peril
Of everything personal to himself. interposed
all the energy Of his rugged character in bis
vain attempt 10 turn this mad boy from the
unspeakabe folly Of his course. and that un-
able to accomplish anything he retired in dig
niAed despair 20 the absolute seclusion Of
private life. But the world has not known
until now what occurred when that separa-
ton between Bismarck and Power took place.
Whether it is the Emperors persistent ad-
herence to his mad course OF whether be has
been goaded TO the act by the continued mis-
representations Of him that he knows to be
inspired by the court. Prince Bismarck has
now opened his mouth and spoken to the
world: and what an utterance 1t is. His Ian
guage is:
When read General Won Cspryis first
speeches as Chancellor / saw that / had been
entirely deceived in my estimate Of him
thing that seldom happens 10 me. always
liked him until then. / thought him firm and
sincere and generally reticent. never re-
commended General Won CaprYi TO the posi-
ton Of Chancellor. ] had once spoken, % the
Emperor about him as suitable for he posi-
ton Of Prussian Prime Minister at some
future period. This was long before the Em-
peror demanded pont-blank that ask TO be
relieved from Office which / refused to DO
Offering passive resistance 90 the demand.
The Emperor had been IN secret negotiation
with Won Caprivi. meanwhile keeping me away
from Berlin. under the pretezt Of spaTing my
health. but really in order to keep me from
actual contact with the political situation
We now know the facts authenticity and
they are first that the Emperor actually forced
Bismark out Of the government and second,
that he resorted TO the most detestable de-
ceit and guile while maturing his plans
for removing this stubborn obstacle to his
invasions Il the German citizens rights.
Loose language is not the weakness Of the
German people, aud We may therefore feel
sure that when Bismarck made these remarks
he made them because there was occasion for
them and because they were true. aud they
afford a sad presage for what is to come in
Germany. The court threatens to prosecute
Prince Bismarck before the law and the heart
Of the German people is at Prince Bismarck's
back. Who shall foretell the end if the En-
peror is really foolish enough to attempt 70
punish Bismarck for what he has said The
friends Of Germany can only stand aside and
pray for her safe deliverance from this un-
happy ending Of her glorious morn.
AND so it was not Calico Charley Foster
after oil who was made Secretary Of State.
but General John W. Foster. Of Indiana. an
experienced diplomat but gentleman whose
main occupation for some time past has been
negotiating Dir Blanes reciprocal contracts
1t makes little difference, however Both of
these Fosters are birds Of feather. and can
DO relied on to do oil they can 10 foster No
nopoly for the benefit Of Radicaiism. and to
put the South under the control Of bayonets
aud negroes.
THE campaign Of Parliament has begun In
Ireland and the Parnellites, Tannertes. SIC
Carthyites. and all other kind Of ties are hay-
Ing glorious old shindigs every day. The
price of shillalehs has gone up in the Emer-
aid lsle.