The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-15
HL.IlA TIE HERO
Kaiser Now Alone in Hearts
of His Countrymen.
BISMARCK IS FORGOTTEN
Great Deeds of the Chancellor
Not Spoken Of Longer.

his 1orelatners. NOW his contemporaries
and defenders have become almost ex-
tinct or sllenced. HIS deeds and works
are relegated to the school room. The
gigantic Begas memorial statue of the
great empire builder, unveiled last sum-
mer on the square facing the rsichstag.
seems to utter mute protest against tho
fickleness OF the new generation. Lying
IN pigeon hole OF President Baliestrom'.
desk Is = dust covered bill recommend
ing an appropriation for the Illumination
OF the Bismarck statue and square. The
bill was introduced early this session, but
there is no one to champion the memory
Of the great chancellor. Meanwhile the
statue is shrouded in gloom at night and
the very picture OF desolation. On moon
1T evenings the massive bulk OF marble
rises unshapely and forbidding. Not far
distant is the "Sieges-allee," the ponder
Gus Avenue OF Ancestors" with its mo-
notonous rows Of small, stout and Jean
all Illuminated with scores OF arc lights.
At the further end towers the giant vic
tory column, with its gilded figure OF b.
russia stretching forth a laurel wreath
over the heads of the Markgrafens and
scions OF theHohenzollern family. But
the Bismarck statue remains neglected
and unfrequented. hidden in a cluznp Of
trees and yelled in darkness.
Not only are all tho vestiges Of Bis
marck's brilliant regime being gradually
effaced. Kaiser William never reverts to
the great accomplishments and works OF
Bismarck in his public addresses or IN
private conversation. For come years
his memory was kept constantly alive by
the food of Bismarck memoirs, reninis-
cences and biographies But the his
torians who worked with Bismarck and
were honered with his confidence have al
most all disappeared from the scene OF
action. Kaiser William II. now occupies
the German mind. Statesmen and war
ricrs who were identified with the Bis
marck regime are dead or have found 1t
more comforting in their declining years
to retire from Office. Many an old sol
der and retired statesman stiIl sits in
his favorite arm chair and tells his chill
dren and grandchildren OF the greatest
of Germans that ever lived. William II.
refers to Bismarck whenever occasion de-
mands in terms OF formal respect and
with a Strengthening of his shoulders as
the subject is a solemn but not pleasant
one. The kaiser clearly shows his tastes
and distastes. Those who surround him
and wish 10 remain on good terms with
the court are not slow in taking the cue.
They let historians and schoolmasters
dwell upon the man of iron and blood.
But they are more interested in the latest
decoration bestowed, the latest phase OF
the Agrarian campaign for high tariffs.
and the very newest diplomatic and po-
litical developments.
In the reichstag one now and then hears
Bismarck phrases quoted. Chancellor
Won Bulow. despite his high offee and
close association with the kaiser, Is one
of the most consistent and faithful Of
Bismarck's champions. He rarely deliv
ers an address without recalling how Bis
marck laid down and interpreted German
law. ideals. and purposes. But partisan
ship is too bitter. the hatreds between
the Left and the Right factions too keen,
to allow much sentiment or sympathy for
the departed. New issues have com
pIetely swallowed up those with which
Bismarck grappled. a new generation is
now at the tiller with q leader who be-
lleves in the Qualification OF monarchy at
all hazards. and especially in the as
-
leFn.
History shows that the Germans require
an aggressive, military ruler. William II.
has not fallen short of the mark. Bis
rnarck was most admired because Of his
diplomatic skill and military proves.
But he was also the most hated man In
the empire for his unyielding, merciless
imperialism. and subsection n al humane
and equitable considerations 10 those Of
monarchy. Kaiser William has sweeten-
ed the pill, and makes militarism less Of
fenxive. The standard Of living and the
worth of the German mark and thaler
have increased correspondingly with the
rise Of industry and the labor market
since Bismarcks time. Taxes are stu
onerous, and amount almost 10 condsca-
ton. But the official who collects them
IS courteous. polite. and gently psrsaa-
sive Bismarck's agents were sruf. with
vSss.inous boards and threatening man
rers leaving a sting behind. and an i'm
placable hatred for ali monarchic Insti-
tutors and tax satherers.
Kaiser William. the grandfather OF the
present incumbent. did not bestow deco
rations upon those who distinguished
themselves only in the peaceful arts Of
Industry and conmerce. Kaiser William,
on the contrary. does not hesitate TO baik
the excessive demands OF the AgTarszns
and "junksrs'' or to defy their anger 6y
consortlng with the big iroamasteTs. the
CAPTAINS OF industry. fra ncters. ship
builders aud professional men The kai-
ser's many sided character. and the bold
manner in which Re makes known his
H4-.
the populace. wonderful change has
taken place n public sentiment ard Will
ian II. Is riding OF the crest Of N. wave.
when he dreils too much upsa his saint
"a forefa.hsr and tests n. petieree Of
his subjects. Il Is dismissed "a an EXCUSE
bic ecceutriclt-. Fursf Bismarck Is dad.
rs work accomplished. ard that Is The
end q II
The Kaiser never undertakes = task
without completing g according 70 bis
own wishes The massive fSur-rriilio7-
doilar dome Il course of corzpseticn here
Is bailt according 20 hss OWE drafts ard
s-zSestiozs- BY common courtesy al
the entxur<s - rlzrz for large -1oue-
rezts. memorial statues. fountains. CT
o-aA-neutai BRIDGES aac prbltc busi1.zss
are submitted 70 him. ard almost i1ys-
rsasfy co-s back with material chszkes-
Ss- % these Suggestions tnticsts ssy
xazt q real artistic taste.
Kaiser wHIizszi Is determined - deprive
Pzr-Ger-zns o. tbs ssde ard IzScssts
OF ;he ether q al material wt<S whtra
n interrupt g srtang<E Ire pszee<al
commercial as5 pclit.czl r-issiozs BE-
tween Germany ard .se Cnste< sesssS- I
have TIE authority 90 TIE fsrris1 c<5cz