Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-12

After Napoleon was safely imprisoned at
st. Helena ana Europe was again at peace,
the various German states devoted them
selves to the task of rehabilitnting their
governments. The princes wished to re-
organize en- the old basis OF despotic rule;
the people, permeated by the spirit of the
French revolution, demanded the freedom
of constitutional government. The natural
confusion created by this revolution in
political thought was greatly augmented
by the petty jealousies OF the various states
and by the great rivalry of Austria and
Prussia for leadership in German affairs,
From 1915 to 1866 iho political condition of
Germany WAS chaotic. but through the
whole period the Prussian influence was
steadily gaining ground.
Between 1916 and 1880 the demand of the
people for free government was acknowl-
edged BY granting constitutions in the
kingdoms or saxony and Bavaria and
few other small states. For awhile Fred
erlck william III seemed inclined to grant
a constitution for Prussia, but he did not
go father than to set up a number of pro-
vinciaf diets which were by no means pop
ular parliaments. Austria was then ruled
by the austdre Prince Metternich, reso-
lutte foe OF constitutionalism. But the
kings and princess soon forgot the con-
stitutions they had granted, and very lit
tie real change took place In the system
Of government in any of the German states
the princes were supreme and the people
we're nothing,
During this same period the general de-
sire for German unity grew rapidly. Few
Germans were satisfied with the loose con-
federation which included thirty-nine states
represented in the permanent Diet sitting
at Frankfort- on-Main This was organized
after the congress of Vienna In the act
of confederation the thirty-nine states
agreed never to declare war against each
other. or to form foreign alliances which
would in any way prejudice the interests
of a German state But the rivalry OF
! Austria and Prussia and the unwilllngness
\ of Bavaria and Wurttemberg did not per-
NIT the restoration Of the empire.
| In this era the affairs Of the German
| state bore a marked resemblance to tho
condition of the American states following
| the revolution and preceding the adoption
Of the constitution when the thirteen states
consented to the, Articles of Confederation,
and were represented IN the Continental
congress, but, refused to obey the one or
to respect the other 1t ought not TO De
forgotten that the American constitution
was the direct result of a convention called
to regulate interstate commerce ana TO pro
vide for a uniform customs administration
The same economic forces which brought
about the amalgamation Of the thirteen
American states into the Union under the
constitution were at work In Germany
slowly compelling the reluctant and Jealous
rulers into union
The sentimental desire for. German unity
was REINFORCED by the economic demands
Cor cessation Of the commercial Restraints
Imposed by the laws of each petty state
The movement for economic union was De-
gun in 1926 by the king OF Bavaria VINO
made a customs treaty with WurtteHpeIs'
Three years later agitation was begun Ior
| tha institution of a customs union, or Zoli-
verein. Prussia's geographical position
made It the natural center OF this move
ment and one after another the several
state governments concluded the necessary
treaties with Prussia, until in 1885 the GUS
toms union included practically all the Ger
man states but Austria.
The French revolution of 1880 had great
effect in quickepipg the democracy of the
German states. and many of the rulers were
forced to grant more or less liberal con-
stitutions, but they were not long regarded
In 1895 Francis j; the first emperor OF
Austria, was succeeded by his son Ferdi-
nand. a man of weak mind and character
The reactionary Prince Metternich still con-
trolled Austrian policies. In 1910 Frederick
william Nv succeeded TO the throne OF the
Hohenzollerns. He began his reign by In
auEurating liberal political policy, and no
succeeded in doing a great deal for his
people. But he was thoroughly imbued
with the traditional Hohenzollern notions
OF the divine right Of kings. In lS47, yield
ing to. pressure, he summoned to Berlin a
united Diet. which was not Parliament
but mere combination of the nonrepre-
sentative provincial Diets established by his
father. When the Diet assembled the king
declared that nothing would induce him to
eoncede. a constitution or to change the
natural relations between prince and his
subjects.
When, in 1913, the third French revolu-
ion broke out, itseeffect was instantly felt
in all parts of Germany. 1t was the most
widespread movement for popular govern
.ueut ever known in Germany and 1t was
Immediately recognized by the princes OF
the smaller states who appointed liberal
ministers and granted many of the demands
OF the people. The revolution was most
serious In the two most powerful states
prussia and Austria. A popular rising In