The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-02

contempt. and France found out that
Prussia had arranged an alliance with
Russia, and cared nothing about France.
Bsmarck's diplomacy had robbed France
ri the only friend she had in Europe
Italy; his diplomacy had robbed France
of her only possible alphabetically
his alliance with Russia, which notified
Austria to keep the peace when Germany
went to war with France. The revelation
of Frances desire to absorb the Rhine
frontier made North and South Germany
4 unit against France. SO that when Bis
marck went to war with France in 1870
his magnificent diplomatic skill had left
France before gun was fired without a
friend or an ally. Italy was neutral,
grateful for 1866; Austria was in reach
of the Arctic Bear paw of Russia.
France was knocked senseless and the
imperial throne of Germany rose into
view. From this time forward Bismarck's
genius for diplomacy, which created the
German empire. conserved it until 1889,
when he resigned by request of his un-
grateful young sovereign. He played the
Vatican and the Quirlnal, or the royal
court of Italy. continually against each
other; he skillfuIly aggravated the hostil-
ity of Italy for France. So long as Bis
marck was in Office he was careful never
to force the pope to take an attitude Of
opposition to the triple alliance; SO long
as Bismarck was in office he prevented
coalition or even friendly understanding
hot Eronoo Nd ho cd
estranging the car by refusing to commit
himself to the support of Austrian ag-
grandizement in the Balkan peninsula.
So long as Bismarck was in Office he could
command the good offices of the pope to
help him out in the reichstag.
Since Bismarck's hand left the helm in
1889, the rude young emperor has lost the
friendship of Russia by seconding the
designs of Vienna at Constantinople and
in the Balkan peninsula, while France
has an excellent understanding with Rus
STA. The pope has been forced by the
German emperor to take an attitude of
opposition to the triple alliance. and he
has become a warm friend of the French
republic. Prince Bismarck warned the
emperor that his daliiance with the social
ist movement would only serve to increase
its strength. and his prediction has been
verified. 1t represents in the imperial
parliament the largest number Of votes
polled by any single party. In Saxonv
alone four parliamentary seats have been
won during the last four months, with an
increase in the aggregate socialist vote
from 1900 to 10000. According to the
report just issued by the socialist central
committee, the party now possesses
seventy organs Of the press, one alone Of
which has circulation of over $4,000.
Never has socialism been as strong in
Germany as it is today.
1t is perfectly clear that in the three
years which have elapsed since Bismarck
resigned Germany has lost ground. She
has not as many friends abroad; she has
stronger domestic enemies of imperial mill
itarism at home. France is stronger today,
Extensively and defensively. both by virtue
of her domestic military development and
preparation and by foreign diplomatic ar
rangements than she was three years ago
She has added the car and the pope to
her list of friends. and she has no new en-
emies Of consequence. Germany is labor
ing to bring up her military strength to
that of France, step that would not be
necessary today had Bismark's diplomatic
policy been followed of keeping Russia
friend, instead of letting her drift into an
enemy.
The loss of Bismarck's hand at the helm
is certainly seen and felt in the present
situation of Germany.