The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-10
nrsnAKcK AsD THE EnriEr.on.

| 81 . + r u . . =
Not since the dismissal Of Bismarck
from the Premiership OF Germany has
the government been Able to hold a re-
liable majority In the Parliament OF that
nation. and one after another of those
who succeeded him have been compelled
to retire with dtscredi.. The IMAM Of
blood and iron" had u way peculiarly
his own of managing men, and no doubt
II the truth was known William has re-
gretted more than once the manner in
which he dismissed the old minister
from office. but Is too Stubborn to ac-
knowledge II.
When William came to power he be-
lleved he could steer the ship of state
without the aid of The old Chancellor,
and believing this, sought to put 1t into
practice blythe dismissal Of the only man
in the Empire capable Of controlling the
people in times OF great moment. Nvhe-
Their or not the Kaiser has succeeded III
his belief, Is best told by the unrest
which prevails throughout the Empire
among all classes OF people. and the dis
gust with which his actions have filed
all Europe. Perhaps few rulers have
been go thoroughly dialikcd by any peo-
pie In recent years as the war lord of
Germany" Disliked at home ana with
out friends abroad. Kaiser William, but
for the strength OF his a, mics. would be
more thoroughly isolated than any other
monarch In Europe.
The great body OF the German people,
have never forgiven his trca tment Of the
man who more than any other made
German unity not only possible, but an
accomplished fact, and the young Ilai-
ser has never been able 10 break the
influence which, IN his peculiar way, the
Prince has welded among the German
people. No minister since Bismarck's
retirement has been BILE to command
enough votes In Parliament 10 render the
Government secure in the furtherence
OF the Empcror's schemes have been OPP
posed by Parliament. yet the principal
ones have gone to the wall for lack OF
support Failure to obtain support Of all
great matters Of policy has been the rule,
rather than the exception.
The school bill, the association bill, the
bill TO incrcas &c the army. and later on
the bill to Increase the navy, all have
recently fallen through for lack of votes.
and as has been his custom the Kaiser
has laid the failure at the door OF his
ministers. The friends Of the old Chan
cellor do not hesitate to say that had
Bismarck been al the head of the minis
try these bills would not have fallen
through, and doubtless they are correr::.
1t is also said that the Emperor has be-
gun to think that matters might be diff
ferent had he n Bismarck 10 deal with
| Parliament and that he iF making over
lures to the Prince with the hope of St
curing his influence in a second attempt
to get the army and navy bills adopted
| There are those who declare tina: Bis
maTck being an old man, and in retire
ment VIII 50 plead to avoid having any
I thing TO do towards helping the Kaiser
| out OF his troubles, but II can be set
down az n certainty that II ne believes,
the measures are for the benefit of the
nation, his patriotism will compel him
to sink self for the good of his country,
and he will give his grea: Influence in
F.. favor OF the passage OF the bills How
ever, should he feel that the bills a;c not
for the welfare Of the nation, 4 second
! failure far greater than the first, in th.s,
after, will be the result