Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-01

heart Other eldest son away from her. II
was on this boy. afterward Emperor Will
liam II, that Bismarck depended for a con-
tinuance Of his power. Frederick had an
incurable malady. and when he succeeded
to the throne in March, 1855. his death was
only question of very short time.
The people expected great deal from
Frederick, who was liberal and progressive
in his ideas. They viewed with dismay the
rapid progress of his fatal malady. They
witnessed with anger which could scarce
be repressed the evil influence of Bismarck
upon the crown prince As soon as the
breath WAS out of Frederick's body Bis
marck had the palace surrounded with
troops and orders issued that no one should
be allowed to leave until search was made
for the dead mans diary.
What followed is fresh in the minds of
all readers of current history The en-
press. although baGgered and bullied to the
limit of endurance, managed to secure her
husbands papers. I'VE shall have no more
petticoats meddling in politics nowl'' was
the triumphant cry of the Iron Chancellor
as the marks of estrangement between the
emperor and his mother became more and
more apparent Bismarck foresaw q new
lease Of power for himself He believed he
had the unnatural young kaiser completely
under his thumb bat he was destined to be
rudely awakened from his fond dream
For 4 time everything seemed to favor
him. The English government, cowed by
the overnastering influence OF the domi-
neerins prince. was afraid to II sent the in
suits to the daughter, of the queen. Viii
liam himself was hated and de;pised by the
British public Tor his unnatural conduct
But the young t1an was not altogether bad
Bismarck's methods and manner palled
upon him. He was rs little inclined to sub
mt to dictation rs the chancellor was to
foresyo it. The weight of the crown inflated
his self esteem. He felt his OWE Importance
as tie ruler of the great German empire
and quietly intimated to Bismarck that
much OF his advice and meddling was too
oiiicious to suit his imperial pleasure. The
chancellor was ilStonished and for the first
time in his career found himself plcader
for favor William was obdurate and yer
sisted in having his own way, and Bis
marck submitted to the inevitable with az
much grace as he could summon.
AT this juncture grave doubts were
thrown upon Bismarck's real part in or
ganizing the new empire. Extracts from
.rederck's diary, which Bismarck had
tried in vain 70 secure. were published and
caused q profound sensation in Europe
They fatty declared that Bismarck was OBJ
posed to the il undia, of the empire; that at
the chose of the Eranco-P russian war Viii
liam, who WAS then ,3 years old, insisted
that the title of king of Prussia was in
initely superior to emperor, and that the
project through, laboIiously persIa,iing his
father and almost bullying the chancellor
into reluctant support of it. OF course
Bismarck could not stand idly by and see
the laurels he had worn SO long ruthlessE
torn from his brow. He entered n vigorous
denial and iaipeached the authenticity of
the diary. Hewantetl Williamto order the
prosecution Of the publishers for treason
and tanpcring with state secrets
But the young kaiser was not in a COM
plant mood 1t seemed to have dawned
upol him that he owed something to the
memory CT lis father, and that he should
modify his treatment of his royal mother.
He was, moreover, in the thick Of his labor
reform movement, which Bismarck had op-
posed tooth and nail Consequently. when
the old chancellor got angry ut noncembpii-
Gnce with his wishes and made one of his
bluffs II, resigning. William promptly took
him TT his word, and on March IS, 1890,
Europe WAS shocked by the news that the
great Bismarck, the diplomatic giant of
the cer.sury, had severed his official rela-
lions with the empire he founded
Every possible runor followed him into
refinement it WIS said that he never ex-
pected the emperor to allow him to resign;
that he WAS in IA state of panic the day after
be made his fatal bluff and humbly begged
TIE Empress Frederick to intercede with
her son to retain him in office One can
hardly imagine the bold implacable Bis
mGrck, the terror of Europe, on his knees
before Il woil:an whom he sought so often
to huiniiiatc. but the story has elements of
truth and has never been contradicted.
Bismarc,,'s downfall was thus almost as
complete and pathetic as that of Wolsey.
But his temper, unlike that of the ambitious
cardinal, WAS not broken by the storms OF
state His retirement was marked by Sc
we're criticism of the young emperors pol
| icy and imprude4t outbreaks of wrath
| against old time rivals.