The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-10
The Kaiser's Mistake.

When the Reichstag met on Saturday
morning Of last week. it was understood
that Gen. Won CAPRIvI had disrupted every
section OF the Opposition. and that by a
final concession to a fraction OF the Radi-
calls he had assured the eventual passage
OF his Army bill. Nevertheless. a few hours
later, the measure was defeated on n motion
for the second reading. and thereupon the
Reichstag was dissolved. What had hap
pened? The Kaiser had interposed at the
last moment, had disavowed his Chancel-
lor's concession, and had thus brought to
naught the latter's persistent. sagacious.
and all but successful Efforts.
That the young Empcror's Intervention
was IL blundcr seems plain. whether we con-
slider his position us the constitutional ruler
OF cUnfederated States. or his desire to gain
the assent OF the next Reichstag to the
Army bill in its original form. That the
king reigns but does not govern Is n maxim
accepted even in his hereditary Prussian
dominions, since BISMARCK after the battle
OF Sadowa asked and obtained from the
Prussian Laudtag an act OF indemnity for
his levying of taxes for tho maintenance of
an enlarged army against the will OF the
peoples representatives. 1t is preposterous
to suppose that WILLIAM ii. is less indie
pendent OF the Landtag composed OF his
subjects than he is Of the Reichstag,
made up In part OF representatives OF semi
independent States. with regard to whom
his po wers are strictly defined and narrow.
being mainly those OF Il Co~mmander-in-
Chief. 1t Is true that the principle OF the
accountability OF the imperial Chancellor
to the Reichstag has never been explicitly
accepted. but hith rto the peoples dele
gates have had ut least the assurance that
hi, promises and concessions were made
with authority upon which they could
net without the least apprehension of
being left in the lurch. As it is.
relying on CAPRIvI's pledges as con-
8dently as they would Oh B~IsMAIcK's.
and never dreaming that they would be
suddenly repudiated by his imperial master.
Baron Won HUENE and u dozen brother
Catholic members had been prevailed
uioh 70 uirak away from the Centre party.
while Major HlSzE aud Il scoro of other
Radicals had irreparably severed them
selves from their former comrades. There
has been in this business u fragrant breach
o faith, for which Gen. Won CAPRIvI is not
responsible. and which Is couciliable with
no theory OF constitutional government.
How many members OF the Reicllstag will
hereafter iinperil their political positions
by putting trust in the overtures of n nomi-
nal Chancellor. and what man OF strength
and personal dignity will care to accept tho
empty honor OF the Office? By compelling
CAPRIyI To recall on Saturday the promise
which he distinctly made to Major HIyzE
on Friday. the Kaiser virtually repeated the
announcement made by LOUIS XIV. after
The death OF MAzARIN; "Henceforth / shall
b. my own Prime Minister"
The vio'ent substitution at the last mo-
ment OF the Emperor's arbitrary will for
the iaboriously and skilfully adjusted pro-
grnmine Of his Chancellor Is by no means
calculated To increase the supporters of the
original Army bill in the next Reichstag.
The negotiations for u compromise had
been carried too far for the Emperor's
Spokesman to entertain any reasonable
hope OF persuading the German people to
accept tho measure in its primitive form.
For the answer will be. why pretend that
your project Is indispensable to the safety
OF the Gatller!and. when the Chancellor
himself, who is both a patriot and n nil