The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-09
WILLIAM II. A B%LUNDERER.
TEE EMPERoR's REsPoNSIBILITF
FOR THE DUAL ALLIANCE.

TEE EMPERoR's REsPoNsIBILITF
FOR THE DUAL ALLIANCE.
Farther Roveintionr by Prince Bismnrek-
Wia Fail Marked the End OF the Under-
standing Between Germany and Russia
aud the Cars Alliance with France.
Bismarck's newspaper organ in Hamburg
| startled tho world about two weeks ago by an
nouucing that between 1884 and 1890 q secret
neutrality agreement existed between Germany
and Russia. The principal conditions OF this
agreement, as explained by cable, were that in
case Russia should be attacked by Austria Hun
gary, Germany should remain inactive, and that
IL France should attack Germany Russia should
remain inactive. In 1890, after Bismarck's
fall. Russia wished to renew this agreement,
but Germany declined to do go.
This part of the Hdmbtrgsr Ndchrichten's an
nouncement covered the most important, but
not the most interesting, points ofthe diplomatic
history In question. In the feud that developed
at once bel wcen Bismarck's newspaper and tho
RCicis1nsciycr and other Berlin newspapers there
came TO light several facts which illustrate
clearly some of the ouriosities of William Ills
diplomacy.
Tho last injunction OF Emperor William l., as
no babe farewell to young Prince William in
the death chamber, was TO cherish the friend
ship with Russia. BE considerable with Rus
sia.' he said to his grandson. Friendship
with Russia was n traditional Hohenzollern
policy. 1t had enabled Bismarck TO unite Ger
many and on IL Bismarck depended TO keep
France Isolated and harmless. After the Ber-
lin Congress the friendship was strained. but
not broken. Despite GortschaKoff's desire for a
Franco Russian alliance, the St Petersburg
court refused to cut the last bond that held it
TO Berlin. And when Gortschakolr's power had
become n memory. France still stood alone and
Rus.ia still stpnl far from mt alliance that
might Cypress tho Hohcnzollern empire. Then
bismarck seized the opportunity to put a second
iron in the fire TO make doubly sure the assur-
ancs given Germany by the Triple Alliance. He
concluded the secret neutrality agreement.
In 1889 bismarck had sounded Russia re-
garding the renewal of the agreement for six
years. He found the Car. Alexander ILL.,. will
ing to renew the agreement in case bismarck
was TO remain in Office. Alexander did not
trust young William much; 1t is known that
whenever the young mans name was mentioned
in his presence he clapped his hands over his
ears and scowled. This was the state of affairs
when Emperor William decided to dismiss his
great Chancellor. 1t will be remem bered that
Bismarck declined to give up his office at tho
first suggestion from the Old Castle. In
response to urgent messages he said that.
owing to the critical condition of certain
state affairs. he should regard it as trea-
son to quit his Office at that time. unless
ordered to do SO. When the Emperor eventually
demanded the CLancellor's resignation he got
IL. but only after some delay. Bismarck abso-
lutely refused to ask To lie retired, unless he
could draw up an exhaustive state paper re-
citing his reasons for desiring To remain ia Office
a little Longer. II now appears that in this paper
bismarck reviewed at leagth lie many's re!a-
tiona with Russia, showed the necessity Of pre-
serving the historic friendship, expiainea the
enormous advantages OF the neutrality agree
ment. tod or the dangers that would threaten
thai n ~ a. n Rnf Alnnlh ha Ion ~ nntFR and o. w
warning OF the impending Franco-Russian al
lance.
ing this statement he ordered that Bismarck be
tod that his resignation was accepted. What
followed, from Cronstadt TO Chnlons, Is an open
BOOK that every man can read; As bismarck
pred cted in his last state paper, his fall marked
the end OF the understanding between Russia
and Germany and the contamination of the
dreaded FrRnco-Ruesian alliance.
Il i clear now why Bismarck, ever since his
fail. has denied emphatIca!ly the repeated
charge that lie was the man Who estranged Rus
STA from ermany When Emperor Williams
semi.onicial press has made this charge. when
1t is asserted that the young Emperor's Minis
tiers were simply carrying out the old Bis
MARKHAM DO icy, when it has denied that the
dual alliance Is the result OF lstuous laundering
in the German Foreign Office, 1t has beon an
sw.red from Friedrichsruh always with the
cha ,leuCe:
Then publish Bismarck's last state paper
This challenge never has been accepted. never
has been discussed by the editors controlled
from the Ilhe!instrasse. Both inspirers and
inspired have been dumb when thus urged to
. NHAAH 'S' t'~
son for the Governm-nt's shame and anger after
| the Hamburger NuChTtChfciS last reNelatiOns.
A. the BIsmarckian newspapers in Germany
point out. all that Bismarck feared and warned
his young Emperor against has coIue true. The
young Emperor. 10y THROWN ny over the old Chan
| Cellur. lost the ally whOm he most desires and
drove her into the arms OF the enemy whom he
most hates.
There has been a strenuous effort in England
and other grren-eyed countries OF Europe to
make The neutrality agreement in question APP
pear ~ rank prridy on Bisnarck's part toward
Au-tria-lI Hungary aud the whole Triple Alliance.
A glance at the AustrO-Gcrman alliance treaty
! shows that this view is false. The first article
provides that IL either power be attacked by
Russia the other power shall come 10 its assist
ance; the second article. that II either power
he attacked by any country except Russia the
other shall remain neutral: the third article,
that II Russia come 20 the aid OF the attacking
power. as indicated in article H., Germany and
Austria shall night side by side. In no particu-
lar does this treaty conflict with the neutrality
agreement of lsS4.aO. Moreover, Bismarck
warned Austria repeatedly. in his public
speeches In the eighties. that Germany would
not waste a cen, or n man TO help her in case
she got into trouble with Russia over bulgaria.
She was perfectly aware that II she assumed
the offensive against Russia she could not count
on Germany'B aid.