The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-25

How the Chancellor Opposed Princess
Frederick and Her Mother
From New York Suns Review of Buschs
Diary


From New York Suns Review of Busch's
Diary.
1t is well known that after the accession
or crown Prince Frederick to the imperial
nee OF chancellor. He gave offense, how
ever, to the new Empress by successfully
opposing the marriage of her daughter, the
Princess Victoria, to Alexander OF Batten-
berg, at one time Prince of Bulgaria The
latter, 1T seems, had made the acquaintance
OF the Queen Of Englands granddaughter
during his European tour. On April T. 1885,
Bismarck explained to Busch the position
which he had taken toward the affair: Il
nave latterly been worried by the people at
Cnarlottenburg-by the women. The doctors
insist that / should go to the country, but
L cannot leave, for who knows what they
would do when my back is turned-the
women who want to have a share in the
government-the English women? You ha We
seen in the papers that l am thinking of re-
firing on account of conflicts and court in
fiuence-not with the Emperor, who is much
more reasonable and shares my views. The
question now is as to the marriage of the
Battenberger to Princess Victoria, which
the Queen of England has in view. Three
years and more ago, under the old master,
It was actively promoted by her daughter,
soon as then heard of it 1 made represent
tatlonS to the Emperor verbally and In
writing. He allowed himself to be con-
WINGED by the reasons 1 adduced, and re-
fused to give his consent, although she (he
crown. princess) said that her daughter
loved him. OF course, he is a handsome
man, with fine presence, but believe her
nature is such that she would accept any
other sutton. provided he were manly More
over, that is entirely beside the question.
We must look at the political objections
and dangers. The old Queen (Victoria) IS
fond of matchmaking, like all old women.
and she may have selected Prince Alex
ander for her granddaughter because he is
a brother of her Son-in-laW, the husband of
her favorite daughter, Beatrice. But, OBJ
permanent estrangement between ourselves
and Russia-and if she We're to come here
for the princesss birthday there would be
the greatest danger that she would get her
way. In family matters she is not accus-
toned to contradiction and would imme
diately bring the parson with her in her
travelling bag and the bridegroom in her
trunk, and the marriage would come off at
once. Probably the Battenberger, too.
would have been here by this time if / had
not stepped in, for they are in a mighty
hurry over there in London"
Busch then inquired what was the actual
condition of Emperor Frederick: was it real
ly cancer, and how long was he likely to
last The chancellor replied: Cancer, and
Bergman has already given his opinion
some time ago; it is question of three
weeks or three months. Externally ii is
not very noticeable. He holds himself up
right and walks with quick step. But his
face Che pointed with his fingers between
the cheek bones and the nose) has, during
the last few days. become thinner, and he
looks tired and depressed from the excite
ment. They actually ill-treated. abused and
martyred him when he declined to counten-
ance the Battenberg marriage. He is glad
(his daughter) is too much for him in argu-
ment. 1t is true that so far only post
ponement has been secured. If the mar
riage, nevertheless, takes place. / can no
longer remain in Office. for 1 should then
have lost all confidence in the future. That
young and impetuous woman'S will would
prevail more or less in other things, too,
while l should lose at st. Petersburg that
reliance on my straightforwardness which
/ have so laboriously regained with the
Emperor Alexander III in spite of all sorts
of indictments against me. 1t is true that
at Charlottenberg they are most anxious
to retain me-she (the Empress Frederick
also. They wrap me up in cotton wool and
velvet That also found expression in the
rescript; but as the recognition was of too
generous a character. 1t aroused in my mind
less pleasure and hope than doubt as to
its sincerity and as TO whether something
was not concealed behind 1t. If l can mere
ly postpone, and not entirely prevent, these
English influences upon our policy. If my
circumstances are no longer successful and
my voice not listened to. why should l
continue to torment and overwork myself?
I will not he mere cloak for the follies of
other people If ii were still the old En-
peror with whom / was called TO blunder
along in this way-but to allow myself to
be made use of by this English woman for
her whims, for foreign interests. with dan
ger and detrIment TO ourselves!