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

the more interesting disclosures which are sub
sequently made. and which relate to the closing
years OF Bismarck's life. 1t seems that In
April. 1873. our author proposed to the Chancel-
lor the publication OF the book which ulti-
mately received the title " Prince Bismarck and
His People During the Franco-German War"
He Immediately gave his consent. only point
ing out with regard to the cooperation which 1
requested that. II he were to read through and
make alterations and occasional additions in
the proofs. he would be regarded by the public
as one OF the authors of the book. / overcame
his scruples on this head by assuring him that,
during his lifetime. no one except the pub
Usher. n friend. upon whose discretion l could
rely, would know that he had permitted and
assisted the publication within the limits laid
down-not even the printing office. as I would
have two proofs sent me. one for him and one
for myself. and would reproduce in my own
copy any excisions. corrections. and additions
which he might make in his. and only send the
former to the printer. On these conditions he
also agreed to this part OF my request" The
work was forthwith taken in hand in accord
ance with the terms arranged. and the
proofs, it seems. were returned to DR..
Busch with the Chancellor's corrections.
for the most part. in a few days after they had
been despatched by the publisher: our author
then proceeded to reproduce, in his own hand.
the alterations in the copy intended for the
printer. No arrangement having been made
for the destruction of the proofs revised by
Bismarck. DIR. Busch considered himself at
liberty to retain them as q memento OF his in
tercourse with the Prince. and he still pre-
serves them. 1t appears that in some sheets
there would be no corrections, in others q few.
while In a number OF them considerable excis-
ions were made. The portions struck out.
however. did not exceed. in all. one-fftieth of
the whole. Occasionally short additions would
be made to the text. How carefully the proofs
we're read by the Prince is evident from the
fact that he corrected even unimportant prin-
ters' errors. Even after the book was nearly
ready for publication Bismarck insisted on
further changes. He pointed out. for instance.
that Busch had repeated what was said over
the wine and ought not to have been di-
vulRed. Thus he said: You make Lehndorf
tell the story about Princess Pless and the
Crown Prince. What will Lehndorf think when
he sees what was said at my table published
by some one ?' Busch replied that he was not
nware that the Princess Pless had been meant,
and that she had not been named by him.
Yes" was the answer. but the name would
be inferred from what preceded. Here. again.
you say that 1 drink freely in order to mitigate
the WEAKNESS OF tiresome company. The Ger
mania and tho Socialist papers will seize on
that. and make me out to be a drunkard." The
Prince went on to speak OF other matters in
the sheets before him which he considered un-
suitable for publication. as, for example. a pas
sage OF which he remarked: HIN. That Is
boiling thought to rags-mere flatulence:' 1
know l said that, but everybody must recog-
nize that it applies to the King. And Augusta
Iwife of Kaiser Wilhelm l. will read the book
carefully underline it for him., and comment
upon it. or course I know l had a hard
time OF it with him at Versailles for whole
weeks. I wished to retire. and there was
nothing to be done with him. Even now Ihave
often a great deal OF trouble with him. One
writes an important note or despatch. revises
II. rewrites 1t six or seven times. and when he
Kaiser Wilhelm L. comes to see 1t he adds
things that are entirely unsuitable-the very
opposite Of what one means and wishes to at
tain-and, what is more. it Is not even gram
matical. Indeed. one might almost say that
the NoblinR affair was a piece OF good luck, on
account OF the congress LOT Berlinl. II that
had not happened l should not have secured
anything at the congress. for he is always In
favor NJ schemes that will not work. and is will
full and opinionated in maintaining them.
Others. too. in his most intimate encourage
have TO suffer from this aGgravating popularity
OF his, which he calls conscientiousness. You
should see them. when they no longer have to
deal with him-they look quite changed, just as
II they had returned from a holiday. But the
Grown Prince lafterward the Emperor Freder-
Ickl Is entirely different" In reply to q question
from his auditor Bismarck then October. 1884,
expressed himself favorably respecting the
Crown: Prince and his consort daughter
OF Queen Victorial. but on other occasions.
as we shall see. he did not hesitate to speak
in a depreciatory way of these illustrious per-
sons. Busch having inquired how he now stood
with the Empress Augusta. the answer was.
Just as before. hedoes what she can against
me, and she Is not always unsuccessful with
the Emperor. She will. ultimately. drive Falk
from ONCE" Our author. then expressing the
hope that he would not attribute the passages
that had been stricken out to any bad will on
the writer's part. Bismarck rejoined: "A great
deal OF it Is good and quite satisfactory. as. for
instance. the portion dealing with the Pope and
Catholics. only wish you had made 1t fuller.
But that. perhaps. can be done later. when a
good many things might be added" He then
repeated that the comic papers would turn the
book into rid!cule. that the Ultramontanes and
Socialists would make capital out OF 1t against
him. and that the author also would make
himself many enemies by 1t.
~,smarci's prediction was fulfilled. although
the book was a great pecunlary success. To-
ward the close OF February. 1879. the Prince
sent for Dr.. Busch and asked him. We'll. are
you still OF opinion that You have done me a
service with the book ?" Yes. Serene High
ness" was the answer. with all rlght-minded
aud sensible people" wv are not numerous"
returned the Chancellor. 1T must give others
the impression that / am a bitter. censorious.
env!Ous creature. who cannot bear the vicinity
OF any greatness" He added: "A good deal
that would have been useful to me ought 70
have been given more fully. and other things
should have been omitted" The author hum
bly, pointed out that, In issuing the book. he
had not depended at all upon his own judg-
ment. but had submitted everything to the
Chancellor before it was printed. THAT is
true" replied Bismarck. but. out OF con-
sideration for you. / did not strike out