The Washington herald., 1909-07-18

pointed 10 the Office OF Prussian min
ister Of public worship and education.
He was In his day, a leader OF the Lib
eral party; and II family traditions 20
for anything, the new chancellor should
lean toward the Liberals rather than 10
any other party in the Reichstag Ger
tain II is that he finds among them his
warmest friends and supporters. He has
been married for just twenty years. 10
Martha Won Pfuel, member OF a family
OF the petty nobility which has played
a considerable role in the military history
OF Prussia; and while neither the cnan-
cellor nor his wife belongs 10 what is
called the ''Grande Noblesse." Vet they
cannot be regarded in any way as new,
or self-made people.
Bismarck, it must be remembered. was
mere squireen, a Kraut1unker, when he
started out to win his spurs as the great
est German statesman Of the nineteenth
century; and while Buelow had not even
the title OF baron. when he became chan
cellor. Count Caprivi's nobility was OF
relatively recent creation So that with
the exception OF old Prince Clovis Hohen-
lOhe. there is no social inferiority 70
speak cf, between the new chancellor and
any OF his predecessors at the Palace OF
the Wilhelmstrasse. The latter has only
been the Official residence Of the chan
cellor OF the empire since 1871, when Bis
marck purchased II for the government
from the RadziWilIs. at a cost OF over
100000. Built in 1874, by Gen. Count von
Schulenburg, according TO designs which
be brought from Italy. and for a time
the home Of Countess Sophie Doenhon.
the morganatic wife Of Frederick VII
mas l.
Anthony Radziwill, who had married
Princess Louise, Of Prussia. and it was
under the shady trees OF the extensive
gardens Of the palace that old Emperor
William subsequently, courted the lovely
Princess Elise Radziwill for whose sake
he was ready 10 renOunce the succession
70 the Prussian throne. and whom he was
prevented from marrying. by the Kron-
rath. or grand council OF the crown IN
the great hanoueting han, the memorable
Berlin Congress. Of 1878, took place. and
there is no doubt that for the last forty
years the palace has been. IL not the
center OF the political gravity OF Europe,
at any rate a point Of constant and pro-
found interest 10 every government OF
the civilized world
Gable dispatches. in announcing Won
-Hollwegs appointment as
chancellor Of the empire. have laid stress
on his personal intimacy with the En-
peror, dating from their respective boy
hood, and have described the long walks
and rides which they used 10 take to-
gethar. when Won -Hollweg &C.
cupied an Office which may be described
as that Of civil governor Of Potsdam.
But at the same time they mention that
he has little or no experience Of foreign
affairs. This is, however, no drawback
in the present instance. ~ hat Germany
needs. above everything else. al the pres
ent moment, is a chancellor capable Of
dealing with the internal affairs Of the
empire. and with the frequently very del
( icate questions arising between the varl-
Gus sovereign governments OF the con-
federation.
/ These questions are far more frequent
/ and troublesome than most people would
/ be willing 20 believe. and arise from the
/ jealous dread Of the minor states OF los
( ing any OF their cherished independence,
/ and also from the inevitable trend OF
| events 70 diminish their autonomy, and
/ TO centrallze all power and authority at
I Berlin Fortunately. the new chancellor
/ has a vast experience Of these matters
| IN the management OF which he has dis
played so much tact. loyalty. and judg-
ment, as 10 entirely win the confidence
OF the various Federal sovereigns and
Of their respective governments. There
! is not one Of them but what will hail
with satisfaction the succession OF Won
Bethmann-Hollweg 10 the chanceuorship
70 the empire.
As for the foreign relations OF Germany,
they are vested by the terms Of the
constitution OF the empire. not in the
hands Of the chancellor. but in those or
the Kaiser. and whenever in the past
any chancellor has ventured 10 adopt
line Of his own in foreign affairs, inde-
fpendently OF the Emperor. II has invaria-
bly, resulted in a confusion injurious 10
the interests and 20 the prestige Of Ger
many abroad.
There were notable Instances Of this
during the closing years Of Bismarck
term Of cflee, and at least one case Of
importance, during the chancellOTship OF
Prince Buelow. Article XI of the ccnsti-
tuition provides that The Emperor shall
| represent the empire among nations. de-
| clare war. and conclude peace in the
name OF the same, enter into alliances
and other conventions with foreign coun-
tries, accvedit ambassadors. and receive
them.
For a declaration OF war in the name
| OF the empire, the consent Of the Federal
/ Council shall be required. except in case
/ Of an attack upon the territory Of Ger
many, OF the menacing Of her coast. So
far as treaties with foreign countries
refer 10 matters which, according 20
Article VI. are TO be regulated by the
/ legislature Of the empire-that is % saw
trade. colonization. and emigration-the
consent OF the Federal Council shall be
required for their ratification. and the ap-
prOVal Of the ReiChstag shall be neceg-
sary 10 render them valid.
But, save in the matter Of these par
ticular treaties, the direction and control
Of the foreign relations OF the empire
are vested in the Kaiser. It is perfectly
true that. according 10 Article XVII
Of the constitution. the DEGREES and ordi-
nances Of the Emperor. published in the
name Of the empire, require for their
validity, the signature Of the chancellor
of the empire, who thereby becomes re-
spcnsible for their execution
But there is no mention in this Magma
Charta OF the empire. Of the Kaiser being
incapable Of performing any sovereign
act without the approval of the chancel-
lor, or other ministers; nor is there
a word said Of the responsibility Of the
chancellor Of the Reiehstag, OF even TO
the federal council for the atcions of
the Emepror. II a chancellor were to
refuse TO countersign a decree or ordi-
nance promulgated by the Emperor. he
would be quickly asked By the latter for
his resignation. or else dismissed, and
somebody more amenable appointed in his
place True, there Is ministerial respOn-
sibility in Prussia to the legislature OF
the kingdom. for those documentary acts
Of the sovereign. which have been coun-
tersigned by his ministers.
But there is no mention OF any minis
terial responsibility of this sort TO the