The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-11-02

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was already tottering under his very
feet.
While Napoleon, Gortchakof,
Beust and Cavour were diplomats of
the old school, that is intriguers who
did not hesitate to resort to deceit and
subterfuges as long as they thought it
would further their object, Disraeli
and Bismarck successfully established
the modern school of diplomacy.
These two eminent statesmen invari-
ably followed the path they had con-
templated to take, and scorned to
gain their ends by the adoption of
deceit and other contemplate means.
If the old proverb that "nothing sue
ceeds like success" holds good in di-
plomacy as well as in most other
matters, Bismarck was undoubtedly
the greatest diplomat of all times.
Within the short space of seven years,
(1864-187D and with the help of three
successful wars, Bismarck managed to
free conglomeration of small inde-
pendent states from outward interfer-
ence and from internal disorders, to
strengthen his native kingdom of
Prussia, to re-establish the German
Empire, and to make himself the most
prominent factor in European politics.
The fact that he was greatly assisted
in his endeavors by Moltke and the
splendid Prussian army organization,
does not detract from his merit, for it
was the genius of Bismarck that
made these and the general condition
Of Europe subservient to his wishes.
Bismarck lived fully twenty-five years
after his greatest coup, the creation of
the German Empire, had become an
accomplished fact, and, tho his
last seven years were spent in invoIun-
tary retirement from Office, yet at the
time of his death, and even up to this
day, his great achievements have lost
none Of their Iuster.
| In connection with the above named
six great statesmen, I desire to make
mention of an English contemporary
celebrity, Gladstone, who was apprecia.
ted and honored in this as much as in
his own country Gladstone was a
great and good man, sincerely desirOus
| for the welfare of his fellow citiz
ems. Nevertheless history will hardly
place him among the great statesmen
because his efforts we're devoid of gooC
results, for his internal policy, particu
larly his home rule ideas proved vacll
lating and untenable, and his foreign
policy brought nothing but failure
to use very mild expression.
Statecraft and diplomacy, always Of
the most vital importance, are gaining
in prominence from year to year. ant
bid fair to supersede, at least in man!
respects, the Importance that wa
hitherto attached to military and nava
supremacy. In recognition of this fact
most European nations have mad
diplomacy regular profession. Abou
, fifty years ago, many of their large
universities created an extra facult,
for diplomacy under the name o
"cameraria," which comprise the stud.
i, of international law, treaties and prec
edents, ancient and modern histor
! and geography in their minutest details
a study of general international econ
omy, of the financial and other re
sources of every individual nation, an
of many other things too multi
J farious to find mention in thi
J article. After the student has sue
| cessfuIly absolved all those branches
he is given minor position in th
: foreign office of his country. If ther
;, he proves himself talented and adapte
. to the purpose, he will be attached
! some consulate, mission or embass,
: and will be left to work his way NJ
! wards, just like an officer has to wor
: his way up, from cadet and midshil
q man to that of lieutenant and up I
Q general and admiral-if he ever gel
8 that far. The higher positions, sue
!, as secretary in the home cabinet, {
d minister plenipotentiary, or amba
t sador, require specific adaptability, ia