Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31

lation. Province after province was an
nexed to Prussia and Bismarck's dream OF
Germany was coming true. BY the treaty
of London in 1867 he averted war with
France. The time was not yet ripe. Then
he made secret treaties with the South
German States and came to an understand
ing with Italy. He had prepared for Ma
poleon III and waited the hour and the
occasion.
1t came soon. a Hohenzollern prince
had assembled the throne of Roumania and
a proposition was made to establish an
other as king of Spain. Napoleon seized
this as an opportunity and declared war on
Prussia, Then came the struggle. All Ger
many was united. Her armies were ready
and maj E~almost uninterrupted across
France Is gates of Paris. Paris fell
and X H. lillian of Prussia was pro-
on S''' 5si s. s'i 1871 ri germany and versailles
Created n Prince.
BIZ was created a prince and made
char of the German empire. His mil
itar I? incts never deserted him and al
the is life work had been completed
he I to preserve the fruits for Ger
NJ . He inaugurated the vast schemes of
al EXPANSION that have resulted in the
creation Of the stupendous armies of Eu-
rope. His extreme monarchical tendencies
became subdued, however, and he showed
a tendency to liberality in the treatment
of social questions. On religious lines he
was still the same. In 1872 he combated the
dogma of papal infallibility and caused the
expulsion of the Jesuits from Prussia and
the subsection of the Roman Catholic
church to the civil influence. From then
until the death of the old emperor he was
supreme. During the short reign of the
unhappy Frederick. Bismarck clashed at
times with the views of the empress and
on the death of Frederick and the corona
ton of the young emperor Bismarck's real
trials began.
bismarck and william.
Nothing was more impressive in the clos
ing years of the century than the reconcii-
iation of Prince Bismarck, the creator of
the German empire, and the young emperor.
The event was the climax of the great ca
reer of Bismarck and a fitting exemplifica-
ton of the emperor's independence of
thought. The ~estrangement between the
kaiser and the old chancellor began Ave and
a half years ago, some little time after VIII
helm assembled the German throne as the
successor of his father, the Emperor Fred
crick. For nineteen years Bismarck had
DSSL II VIZ VI lDe tluplIt. ne
old kaiser, Wilhelm I, grandfather of the
present emperor, had acquiesced in all the
plans and suggestions Of Bismarck, whom
he recognized as the prophet of German
unification.
When the younger Wilhelm came into
power he determined that his policy should
be the one to direct German affairs and not
the policy of another, even though the
other was the mighty Bismarck. Bismarck
from his youth had been an uncompromising
and implacable foe of democracy in all
forms. He also opposed all efforts of the
church of Rome to obtain power or infiu-
ence in Germany, and years ago he had
brought about the expulsion of the Jesuits
from Prussia. But times had changed and
in 1890 the socialistic party had grown and
multiplied in Germany to such an extent
that its leaders were bold enough to ask
concessions and privileges from even the
emperor himself. Democracy and radicalism
were rampant in the land, and Emperor
William, wit youthful hope and audacity,
was eager to meet the socialistic demands
in a friendly spirit.
UNFOLDING VIII.
Though conditions had altered, the iron
will of Bismarck had not changed. He in
terposed his personality and combated the
young emperor's notions of reform. He
threatened to retire from office and leave
the empire to its fate. He had made similar
threats In 1869 and 1877, but the old en-
peror had submitted to all the plans of his
chancellor and Bismarck remained. But the
grandson was not to be bullied. Bismarcks
threat had no effect. Youthful confidence
was more than a match for the mature poll
tician and soldier. Bismarck left Berlin
Inundated and cast adrift because he would
not bow to the advancing socialistic thought
of Germany.
In addition to the differences on account
of socialism and democracy, there was the
disposition on the part of the emperor to
make peace with the pope, and at least
bring the papacy to a condition of neutrality
so far as German interests were concerned
This was as counter to the wishes of the
veteran chancellor as the idea of making
concessions to the revolutionary spirit OF
the laboring classes. If the first emperor
had lived it is probable that he would have
essayed the very task arranged by his
grandson. Bismarck might have agreed tt
concessions for the emperor he had crowned
but for the younger man he had not tina
affection. He looked upon him as an i'm
petuous and tickle youth to be chided anc
advised.
Triple Alliance.
Prince Bismarck took a prominent par
in connection with the triple alliance be
tween Germany, Austria and Italy, which
is understood to be directed against a pos
sible alliance between Russia and Franc
against the German powers.
The publication of the late Emperor Fred
erick's diary in September, 1883, threw
new light upon some of the imperial trans
actions in which Prince Bismarck had beer
engaged.
Much sensation was created both in Ger
many and ewher by the revelation o
the diary respecting the authorship of tn
idea of German unity. The late empero
claimed to have proposed this policy and I,
have experienced great difficulty in persuad
ing Prince Bismarck of its practicability.
The reported resignation of Prince Bis
marck as Prussian prime minister ant
chancellor was announced in February
1890, but did not actually occur until Marcl
II of that year, when Emergencies of opin
ion between him and the emperor led to hi
retirement. His departure from Berlin wa
made the occasion of a great popular dem
onstration.
Since then Prince Bismarck remained a
his country seat and many of his utterance
hardly displayed that NINA over hi
feelings which might have been expected
especially in the earlier months after hi
: retirement, Considerable friction existe'
hetwaan him and the emnprnr and afte