Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30

nation. or even his own fellow countrymen.
Austria, first. was to. be subordinated.
Prussia's rise as the head Of the German
empire was to come later. For fifteen years
he blocked popular agitation. waiting for
his schemes to ripen. After two years
passed as ambassador to st. Petersburg he
vas sent to Paris as ambassador in 1861, and
there he made study of Napoleon. He
was soon recalled to Germany by the prince
regent, afterward William I,who found that
his plans of a thorough military reorganiza-
ton were being sturdily opposed. Bismarck
was made minister Of foreign affairs. with
almost kingly power.
Unpopular as he had been, his course now
made him almost universally detested. He
the chambers refused to vote the increased
military supplies he dissolved them. with
the remark that the king could get along
without them. The press protested; he
dissolved and the preparations for war went
on. The people were wild; he was calm
amid all the storm.
schleswig. and Holstein.
In 1868 the death Of the King of Denmark
brought up the question as to the rightful
ruler over Schleswig, partly Danish and
partly German, and the German province
Of Holstein. Bismarck persuaded Austria
to Join with Prussia in asserting the Ger
man claim, and their combined armies
wrested the provinces from Denmark. All
Europe was indignant and the Prussian
house of deputies refused to grant money
to pay the expense incurred. The chamber
was dissolved. Excavations poured upon
his head. This was the height of his un-
popularity.
Now began a quarrel with Austria re-
gerding the ill-gotten spoils. This Bismarck
arranged so that the other declared war.
1t was what he had long awaited. He had
been prepsrng ,n and he was ready In
fought and the Austrians were beaten. in
seven weeks the war was ended. Austria
had been humbled and Prussia held first
rank In Germany: Its territory had been
increased fourth and Its population by
100000.
There came a mighty revulsion in public
feeling and Bismarck was an idol He was
loaded with honors.
Then was formed the North German con-
federation, with the Prussian king at the
head. Treaties of alliance were made with
the South German states 10 head Off Ma
poleon's aim to divide Germany.
The War with France.
Then began the preparation for the next
great struggle which Bismarck foresaw
must come-the war with France. 1t
seemed imminent in 1857. but was warded
off through the efforts. Of the powers. F.
nally Napoleon. urged on by his advisers
1870. the claim of German prince to the
Spanish succession being the pretext.
France set out as II on a holiday trip to
Berlin. The glory Of the First Napoleon daz-
zled the country. So confident were the
French Of invading the enemy's country
that it Is said no maps of France were
furnished the army. The German army
knew more about the country passed over
than the French themselves did. On the
German side everything went like a great
machine. On the French all was haphaz-
ard and confusion. The French forces did
not reach their own border. The German
army drew a Gordon around Sedan, which
fell with loss of 10000, Napoleon being
among the prisoners. Metz surrendered a
few weeks later, with $4,000 men. Paris
was soon invested and capitulated after a
siege of four months. France was COM
PEELED to give up Alsace and Lorraine taken
by Louis XIV, and pay an indemnity of
nearly billion dollars.
william Crowned Kaiser.
On January IS, 1871, King William was
proclaimed in the palace of Versailles Ger
man emperor. Bismarck's task was done.
He was handsomely rewarded, made a
prince and appointed chancellor. He set
about establishing the empire on a firm
foundation. He drew Austria and Italy
into a triple alliance and announced his
policy as one Of peace. He lightened the
burden of direct taxation, introduced pro-