The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-07
PRINCE BISMARCF'S HEALTH.
The Alarming Reports of 1t Said to
he UnfOunded.
Schlesische Zeitung.

The alarming newspaper reports recently
spread about Prince Bismarc6s health are
totally without foundation. The prince is,
on the whole better and more vigorous
than many men of eighty-tWO years His
physicians believe that, If no unforeseen
circumstances arise, he may live to very
great age. The prince, however, himself al
ways smiles at such prophecies, pointing
out that the life he has led has not made
them likely. During the first twenty years
of his life he made good use or his strength,
and what remain has been used up III the
interests of the state. SO that he is now
worn out, disabled soldier. But when he
reads in the paper sentimental reports
about his state of depression he generally
says ironically, My depression is solely my
and see how You feei55 ESPECIALLY if you
have spent almost half century in strug-
spent in playing high with other peoples
money l never could see with certainty
beforehand whether my plans would sue
coed. l could sail my ship on the stream
of events but not steer it,
on such occasions the prince is in the
habit of giving his opinion about the diff
culties and uncertainties in the manage
ment of political affairs. The statesman
as long as he lives is never done; in the
gaining of what he strives for he is too
much dependent on the cooperation of
others, which is incalculable and vacillat-
ing He has to reckon too much with &C
cidental disturbances, as does the farmer
with change of weather, to be able even
after the greatest success to say: 'Ihat
done. and | can look back upon 1t as a
BILE to judge clearly whether really definite
success has been gained" newspaper
article lately said that II Prlnce BlsnarcK
could have no JOY in life then history had
not the power to give moral pleasure ThlS
was quite true. The statesman as long as
he lived was always in doubt about his
grandchildren could feel satisfaction or sor-
row about what he had done. He was al
WAYS stung with the uncertainty as to
whether what he had striVen for passion
ately as a patriot for his country, and eff
fected was really the right thing, and
whether it might not after all hnally nave
injurious results. He could never be fully
clear about it, The general when he had
won battle could on the very same day
confirm it beyond all doubt. This was never
possible with the statesman. lie could
never book a balance with certainty. 1t
had not been possible for him &Prlnce Bis
marck) even after the peace of FRANKFORT
1t is true that the prince has lately sur
fered from his neuralgia pains in the lace.
They became SO severe that he was oO1ged
TO relieve himself by pressing the points of
his fingers for several minutes on his cheek
bones 1t is then difficult for him TO speak
avs at such times: This is quite natural.
have sinned in my life the most with my
mouth, in eating, drinking ana taking
Alienation even temporarily IS only gained
bv having india rubber bottles hlled with
hot water on the face, or by aIcohoIlc
drinks. Brandy or grog Woula take ao me
quickest effect, but DR., SchWenlnger does
not allow this Only beer and VINE are
permitted, and the effect is longer IN com
ing. But when it comes 1t only lastS ABOUT
three or four hours; then the reacClOn SeJS
in. in the form of severe pains, and in or
der to drive these away some other sooth-
ing means must be resorted to. me result
is sleeplessness and nerve bankruptcy.
When the conversation turns to the pres
ent Emperor and his speeches, Prince Bis
marck regularly declares that he does not
consider himself justified in criticising him.
The prince always thinks with deep emo
ton OF his old imperial master Lately
f fi%ed long c'- upon large inkstand, sur
mounted by a dying lion, which the old
riousIv i'll and expected to die. Slowly and
heavily the chancellor laid his hand on the
lion, was silent for some moments lost IN
S5The great? | don't think that is exactly
suitable. but he was a knight, hero"