Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-29
THE OLD CHANcELIoR.
How Bismarck Prevented the Abdfcation
Of the Emperor william l.

THE OLD CHANCELLOR.
How Bismarck Prevented the Abdfcation
Of the Emperor william L.
DR.. W. D. Byoank in the Literary Digest.
The world is not yet rid Of Bismarck, and his
words still have weight When he tells tho
story OF the great war in his way. the German
government does not think 1t beneath it's dig
nifty to prove with authentic documents that King
William also played an important part in the
matter OF that famous Ems telegram. But
every one knows that If there had not been in
the beginning Of Prussia's greatest trial a man
with creative genius at the head Of affairs that
time would have been less advantageous to her.
Bismarck entered the ministry on September
"a. 1861 King William was wedged in between
MS conscience a. ruler and his duty
toward the constitution. The first
cation Of the army in spite of all
opposition from the parliament; the second
demanded that he should let the landtag
have its way. The king had long
thought Of calling Bismarck to the
head of affairs. II the landtag had to be
opposed, Bismarck was the right kind Of
prime minister. But William 1, feared that the
rugged Pommeranian would be too hasty,
would force him into a coup d'etat against the
parliament and the people. A Hohenzollern is
D III
in Prussia. Bismarck ministry should only be
restorted to at the last moment
Had the right moment already passed when,
on September %, the landtag refused to
vote the military bill? The king no
.1mser Del'eVe Th., himself equal to the
where. His ministers inclined to agree
with the majority of the landtag, the crown
prince was under English influence and favored
the opposition from constitutional principles.
but to lay down his crown. He
understood his times no longer. and
wished to give the reins of government to
younger man. When Room. the minister Of
war. came to Babelsberg on that same 23d OF
September to report the result of the parlia-
spirits.
what is to be done?'' said the king. point
ing to the designations which had been handed
in by some of the ministry.
Why does not your majesty summon Bis
marck?" asked Room.
II am afraid Bismarck will not accept now"
answered the king. Besides. he is not here; he
is in Paris and l cannot speak with him about
these matters
''But he is here and willing to act according
to your majesty's Wishes answered Room. He
stood in friendly relation to Bismarck. in
whom he had long recognized the capable minis
ter. He had telegraphed to Paris on his own
responsibility. La poire est mure," he
worded his message. perhaps the only joke
which dry old Room ever made in his life.
Bismarck came to Berlin. His first visit
was to the crown prince and then
he proceeded to Babelsberg. The
memorable meeting took place in the park.
The king looked worried, and silently handed
Bismarck paper: it was the act of abdication
Bismarck looked hard at the king. Surely
matters can never come to this in Prussia" he
said.
Il have tried everything" answered the king;
there is no other way out Of the difficulty.
my ministers are against me, my son
Is against me, even you have been with
him before yon came here. If I cannot
come to an agreement with you today.
then this paper will appear in the STATS
Anzeiser and my son may see how to get out
OF the difficulty. 1 cannot reign against my
conviction"
Bismarck returned the paper He excused
himself for having visited the crown prince
first. and declared that be only
wished to serve the king, who should not
even think Of abdication William 1 looked
at the document in his hand and
asked: Dare you govern without majority"
Yves. Yves, ysnr majesty.'' Without BUDGET"
of the army?' YES. Very we'll" said the
king; Il have here a program" He took from
his breast pocket some sheets closely covered
with writing. Bismarcks eve fell upon the
rules for the organization of provincial
SoNeIuLHeHt nat Is mol the question
jnst now he said at is Of little
moment whether the towns or the coun-
try have greater influence in the provincial
assemblies. What We have to settle first is,
who shall rule in Prussia, the king or the ma
jority OF the chambers? When that is settled
everything will be right If your majesty grant
me your confidence 1 am ready to serve you
But no program! 1t would hamper us BOTH !
The king walked silently BY the side of
the statesman. He had become very thought
full. They crossed a wooden bridge built
over ravine. The king took the pa
pers and began nervously to tear them
into shreds. That was his answer. Bis
marck picked up the little bits Of paper and
said: Does it not appear to your majesty bet
ter to throw these things into the fireplace?
They could be found here, and everybody
knows your majestys handwriting"
The sheets were returned to the
kings pocket The king had become
quite another man and began to speak Of the
formalities which had to be settled He went
home full OF determination, like a Hoheuzol-
lern who has a duty to perform.
And Bismarck? Perhaps he also carried his
head little higher on his return from this in
terview. He was not afraid Of the crisis,
''Such crises are the weather IN which Prussia
must grow, il We make fearless, perhaps even
inconsiderate. use of them" Consideration for
Others is not Bismarck's strong point evidently.
The little storm in Prussia about the army or
gaulzatlou he thinks a small matter.