The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
Nv.

In May. 1885, the Emperor wilhelm L. was
Ill. and DIR. Busch called upon the Chancellor to
ask whether he would like an article written
concerning the political changes that might be
impending. Bismarck answered that it would
have to be done very cautiously. and. at the
present moment in particular, it would not look
at all well. The old gentleman is in a very crit
zeal state. and you know it seems to me almost
like the case OF a woman whose husband is
dangerously i'll and who talks to people about
what she will do afterward; or. more correctly.
as II my wife were dying and l were to say how
l should act after her death. and whether 1
should marry again or not. We must wait I'M
til the hour has come for a decision to be taken.
1t appears that the Crown Prince wishes to re-
tain me. but / must carefully consider whether
l ought to remain with him. There are
many arguments against it, and many
also in favor of it. but at present l am
more disposed to go and have no share
In his experiments. But | might look at 1t as
G0tz Won Berlchingen did when he Joined the
~peasants-it will not be so bad and. II I re-
main. many things can be prevented or rem
dered less harmful. But what II 1 were then
not to have . free hand 2-to have colleagues
like Forckenbeck and George Bunsen. and
ceaseless worries with them; while, l~atterly.
the old gentleman allowed me to do what 1
thought was proper. and even to select Minis
ters and replace them by others? Besides.
there Is the co-regency OF the Crown Princess.
who influences and completely governs him.
Yet what will the result be II I leave them to
themselves 2" Bismarck did not hesitate to
answer his own question BY saying very freely
that the entire position ofthe empire depends
upon the confidence which I have acquired
abroad. In France. for instance. whore their
attitude Is based exclusively upon the faith
uhIoh khau plaoa In n uynFd Tho King NJ the
Belgians said recently that a written and signed
contract would do less to put his mind at
ease than a verbal assurance from mo that such
and such a course would be followed. 1t Is the
same with Russia. where the Emperor trusts
entirely to me. still remember at the Dant-
zig meeting how he conversed with me for a
long time In his cabin and listened to my opin-
ion. The Emperor lWilliaml was not over
pleased at his taking no notice OF the parade
and the various celebrations. but he left US
alone all the same. And the lRussianl Empress
the Danish Princess-said to me: Our
whole confidence rest6 upon you. We know
that you tell the plain truth and perform what
you promise y = " or course. l could retire
and see how they got on without me, and then.
when they called me back after their expert
ment had failed. l could bring things hack into
the old course. 1t would then have been proved
that things could not be conducted In that way.
He doubtless would not venture upon such ex-
pcriments II he had not got me in reserve"
At this time. May. 1885. Bismarck required
TO the feeling al distrust and aversion toward
the Crown Prince Frederick and his consort
which he had conceived during tho period
OF conflict with the Prussian Parliament in
16G2-G6. Touching this subject. he remarked
to Busch: The Crown Princess is an Eng
lish woman. When our Processes marry
abroad. they don the Prussian and identify
themselves with their new country. as. for
example. the Queen OF Bavaria. who ulti-
mately went so far as to become a Catholic
and the Lady in Carlsruhe. as well as the con-
sort ofthe Emperor Methodist 1, Here, however,
they bring their nationality with them, and
retain 1t. preserving their foreign interests."
The Chancellor further observed that the
Crown Prince would DO Influenced In his liking
for England by consideration for Queen Vic
toria and there he mimicked the act OF count
ing money! her generosity. He has," 1t was
added. but a slight knowledge OF State AFFAIRS.
and little interest in them. and he lacks cour-
age" Busch reminded the chief that he had oven