The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-02
THE LOSS OF BISMARCK FELT.

The present: situation in Germany re-
of the loss of her great pilot, Bismarck:
the ship begins to show signs that she no
longer sails on an even keel; begins to be-
have unsteadily as if her navigators were
either not strong or skillful or were not
sure of their soundings.
What Germany lost in Bismarck was not
simply man Of "blood and iron," for
that was the least of Bismarck's merits;
she lost the greatest diplomatic genius of
modern history. It is safe to say that
authentic history does not include the
superior if it does the peer of Bismarck in
SURPRISING genius for diplomacy. man
of mere military genius like Moltke could
have fashioned the magnificent military
machine which humbled Austria and con-
quered France. but the supreme genius by
which Bismarck made his great scheme of
German unity possible of success was his
towering capacity as diplomatst.
Bismarck formed his scheme of German
unity with Prussia at the head of Germany
as early as 1856; in 1859 he was delighted
campaign of 1859 against France, and his
counsels were against the use of the Ger.
man federal army to support Austria; he
labored even then to reduce the prestige
of Austria in Germany, and he made a
firm friend of Russia, so that when the
time came to strike Austria and France in
succession he could count not only on the
neutrality of Russia, but on her armed in
reference il France interfered to save
Austria from humiliation, or Austria in
terfered to save France from overthrow.
Called to the head of the Prussian min
istry in 1862, he began the execution of his
policy of the humiliation of Austria and
the reconstruction of Germany under the
leadership of Prussia. He felt sure of the
neutrality of Russia, while as for France, as
he contemptuously said, he could ALWAYS
keep Napoleon quiet by promising him the
Tip" OF Luxembourg or Belgium. In 1863
Bismarck earned Russia's gratitude by
his attitude during her Polish rebellion.
while Austria and France incensed Russia
by their open sympathy for the rebels. In
lS64 Bismarck persuaded Austria to help
Prussia wrest from Denmark Schleswig-
Hostein. Then Bismarck made An al.
lance with Italy against Austria, and all
the while smoothed the fur on the back of
the imperial cas- of France. who was fool
enough 10 think that if he let Prussia
work her will against Austria the grateful
bismarck would give France for her neu-
trality her old Rhenish frontier.
At this distance of time Napoleon the
Third looks like an imbeci!e. so COM
pietely did Bismarck make an ass Of him.
Bismarck, on the eve Of war with Austria
IN iS66. was sure Of Russian friendship.
Italian cooperation and French neutral
ity. Bismarck's victory over Austria left
France the fool OF tie whole family Of
European powers. Napoleon had tried in
vain 10 bride Bismarck before the war of
l>t6 by the offer Of the services Of the
French army 70 promise him territorial
remuneration il Bavaria, Hesse and
Ehenish Prussia, Then. this bribe being
0ls-egarded, he guaranteed Austria his
neutrality.
| The moment that Austria was beaten at
| Sadowa, if Napoleon had not been fool
| he would have instantly moved the French
| army 70 the Rhine ana dictated the terms
| Of the peace. Bismarck confessed subse-
| quen;|y that this was the crisis OF has fate.
| but Bismarck had already lu led the moor
sick imperia idiot 20 s.eep with insinua-
lions and compliments and diplomatic
"tafy," ana instead Of attacking Prussia
| in the rear he waited for An EXPRESSION Of
gratitude" for his neutrality since list.
| Subsequently, when France threatened
I war, Bismarck treated the threat with