The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14
BISMARCK SECRETS TOLD.
D,s,IoSrREs AFTER THE DEATH OF
sERHANTs IRON CHANCELLOR.

IRHdN y AhON "ANNNLSOh
Universal Tributes to His GreatneHs-More
LIGHT on His Rupture with the Emperor
comments on the scant Courtesy shown
Ia, the Bismarck Family to William H.
Revelations ms to- the Origin of the Franco
Pu..ian war-A Russian Prophecy.
1oxpoS. Aug. Cit is interesting TO compare
,bs Impressions made upon the European pub
II, Nv the almost coincident deaths Of Glad
,.,ro and Bismarck We have had this week q
.r,,rsneouS. involuntary verdict upon the rel-
s,iys rank Of these two men in the history OF
,h. nineteenth century which Is all the mora
,,rr ,ersr' and impressive because there have
- no romparisons made between them in
discussing the tragedy at Friedrichsruh. Per-
b.ps I can best indicate that verdict by saying
thst IN the death of Gladstone the English peo-
1la mourned the loss Of the greatest living
Tne'ishman. while in Bismarck there has
t,gen the one really great man. not Of Ger
rsr- hut Of the race. All countries alike.
whether friend or foe. are paying tribute
m Rjsmarck's memory as to that OF n
Cjarr with whom there Is none TO compare.
n gland did not love him. hut EnRlishmen and
The English press have discussed his career
this week in as great detail as they did that Of
their own Grand Old Man. On the Continent.
even in France. which hated him. the same uni
versa recognition Of the greatest human force
ri the generation in shaping the destiniee of
Europe has been unRrudgingly given. Glad
stones greatness was discussed and analysed
and even disputed. Bismarck's is unaues-
tiop ed even by his bitterest enemies. 1t would
be absurd to attempt to draw comparisons be-
tween the talents and methods of the two men.
Genius in statecraft never was more widely
oontrasted than in Bismarck and Gladstone.
The death OF Bismarck will bring-is already
hr,nRipR-Rreate disclosures OF the secret his
torr Of important events than any other cause
could effect. No other man was the custodian
Of 90 many and 90 momentous political secrets.
Nor did any great statesman Of his day conceal
10 little. He was the most reckless trGth-teller
in great crises with whom European diploma
lists had to deal. / do not propose to enter in
detail into the post-mortem revelations already
made by DR.. Busch and others. but all the
world will be interested IN the clearing up Of
tha relations between the ex-Chancellor and
the present German Emperor. and especially
IL the circumstances Of Bismark's retirement
from public life eight years ago. These are
fully set forth in BismaEck's letter to the En-
peror. now published. which is wrongly de-
ecribed as q letter Of resignation. It Is well
known that the final cause OF rupture between
the Kaiser and the maker Of his empire was
the form er's action in dealing directly with the
heads OF the departments OF Government in
stead Of through the Chancellor. as required
ty law. The Emperor finally directed the
Chancellor 10 secure a change in the regulation
In this respect The most circumstantial YER
sion nt the dramatic interview between Bis
narck and the Emperor. which resulted in the
formers request that he might be dismissed
from the public service. is the following. and 1t
is said that it was inspired by the late Chan
color:
On saturday. March IS. 1890. toward g O'Clock
IN the morning. while the Prince was still in
tel. he WAS informed that the Emperor was
waiting TO see him IN Count Herbert Bismarck's
treTt,aants in the office of the Secretary of
Ftate. When the Prince entered the room the
Emperor received him with the following words.
SPOKEN In a tone Of che most vehement re-
rrpach:
"You a short time ago forbade the Ministers
u make reports directly TO me: but / abso-
lutely wish that my Ministers present them
selves personally 10 me-"
"Ioar Majesty" answered the Prince. by
virtue NJ che law ! alone am authorized and
charged U make direct reports to your Majesty :
this is absolutely necessary IL. the proceedings
q the Government are tc have a firm and
united character. II. within the last few
weeks. some Ministers have got into the way
Of making reports 10 your Majesty. 1t is In OPP
position to the law. which gives this right
alone to the Chancellor Of your Majesty. But
as soon as your Majesty orders me l will yield
10 your wishes and propose a change in the
law"
Also in the workingmcn's question" son
tlnued William H.. still in All excited tone. my
plans meet with your persistent opposition. I
!"ok tc he measures which ] consider useful
being carried out thoroughly
! do not oppose the improvements which
your Majesty thinks Of introducing" was the
reply, -" but my years OF experience tell me that
Eon" OF them need certain notifications. which
are absolutely necessary, and / shall have the
honor Of submitting them to your Majesty"
No, no: no notifications" interrupted the
Emperor: Il wish my orders to be carried out
Just az | give them"
The severity OF this expression Of his will at
last Exhausted the Princes calmness.
think j can perceive that my services are
not fortunate enough TO please your Majesty"
he said, and that some thoughts exist Of get
ting nd Of me" The Emperor here made a con.
hrmatHry gesture with his hand IL 1t Bas done
uhkhowlnRly. il was not less significant. In
that case there is nothing else for me to do but
hhand your Majesty my resignation. ] would
only like to beg your Majesty to let me remain
IN office ill May. SO that I may personally de-
ieho the Military bill in the ReichstaR. i fear
my successor would fnd 1t difhcuit to break the
OPPOSITION In Parliament and carry the bill"
While the Chancellor was speaking the En-
I+ror shook his head several times. and said at
last, NO. no."
The Prime bowed without saying a word.
and waited for a sign from the Emperor to
withdraw. After a few painful moments OF
silence. the Emperor said. still most excited:
There Is still a word TO be said about your
mysterious negotiations with DIR. Windthorst,
know YOU receive him in your house. and ]
forbid these meetings"
hut now the Chancellor. who the whole time
had kepthis temper with the greatest trouble,
broke out and said: Il Know quite well thai
ior some time have been surrounded by spies
ana talebearers. who watch every step l take
ltiS true, and again ! say It is true. that l have
invited DIR, Windthorst In order TO discuss
things with him. But It is not only my right. II
Is my duty, 10 have communication with skilled