Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-29
IRON CHANCELLOR
CALLED GLADSTONE
POOR STATESMAN
Bismarck Thought English
man Had Too Great Facil-
ity in Speech = Man of
Deep Emotions.


American Review for September conver
sations he had with Prince Bismarck a
Friedrichsruh 1sS7-1S9O Speaking of Mr.
Gladstone, Bismarck said: Your Prim
Minister is poisoned by the venom of hi
oratory; If his facility of diction and hi
command of words were more restrained
he would not be so great an orator, bu
n more reliable statesman. If God spare!
him, Mr. Gladstone will ruin England"
This was said in conjunction with som,
remarks upon Home Rule for Ireland
"No government could afford to grant II
now; it is too late. 1t would wreck a
Tory or Radical ministry to do SO, es.
pecally now when Imperialism has beer
so deftly established in the public minds
Of Englishmen by Disraeli," speaking of
whom Bismarck said: 81 like him; he
Is great statesman and he takes his
s part like a man. Your politicians do NOT
drink enough. Think of Pitt and Fox
whom have you now to compare with
those two-bottle men, whose decisions
8 were prompt, decisive and vrile? Now
q you have given your drink to the lower
classes, who are becoming your masters.
and dangerous ones, too, by and by when
Il tne lIdHCnlSe Is eSIGnQed practicable n
universal suffrage"
Bismarck is described as having a
sensitive, emotional temperament. "Rut
Il ] nave he said. speaking of himself
"a fre within me still which burns at
times with fury" Upon that I asked
4 Are you In reality the Iron Chancellor?''
NO, he said, mot naturally; the iron
nave created 10 use when necessary"
CALLED FRANCE ENEMY"
4 Germany said Bismarck, "is a now
empire, and it must be protected from
possible assault by one or two or both
4 Powers, one to the east, the other to tho
j west of us. You must remember that tho
next war between France and Germany
Will mean extinction for one. We lie be-
tween TWO lines of fire: France is our
bitter enemy, and Russia 1 do not trust
Peace may be far more dishonorahIa
than war, and for war we must he nra-
pared therefore, while Germany,s very
life as nation Is at stake. | cannot
give the attention that 1 should other
wise wish to do as regards the encour
asement OF the arts of peace. however
much may believe them to be as Won
say necessary to the highest deyeion-
ment or nation as WHOLE
VI Great Britain's unpreparedness for
wal me frihce spoke with emphasis: he
was respondent about Engand's neg
lsct OF that matter. War" he said.
s wouiu solVe many of your internal diff
nculties. 1t would bring classes and
parties together. You have too man,
eo'erles ana FACTIONS; you are so split
up as regards both politics and reIirion.
you nave grown to be so anarchicaI" 7
SAD Soctaltstic-do you mean?" mo "
M ne Saia' socialism is a power, and one
that must be met somehow by wise Iegis-
ldtOn. |
teach England that she must hn ono os
the strong military Powers, not perhs ne
90 fliuch as naval, and this for the Sale
oi r, the peace of Europe. The natural
slllance i5,' he said. England, Germany
., anu ltalE; these three Powers, II placed
Tnnid urUm permanently strong war footing,
Nouio insure the peace of the woriJ
against France and Russia.
p, ln 'nt event OF war with France and
I,sa russia we could place 1900, 600 of men into
the Ileld, l,OOOOO0 upon the Russian
frontier, 100000 on the French, and still
!etalh l,VpoO0 reserves. We can raise.
..oth" at short notice, all told, 1900. 600
OF reserves, inclusive; and" repeated the
chancellor, slowly, reverentIy, with emo
,loh and force, indeed. believe that un-
less God Himself commands the French
FORCES In the next war. Germany must be
Victorious"
ror the French nation Bismarck had !
contempt, though he had personal friends |
IN Paris. He liked Napoleon; he spoke |
OF MN as an agreeable and courteous |
man but he thought that the Empress |
mad not good influence over him on |
accour of her strong Catholic sym-
path :. which he thought were dangerous
70 state. Napoleon had good heart,
out he was too easily Influenced by
women. That Is great mistake; women
and the serious facts of life should never
come into touch"
SAYS EAST HOLDS KEY.
Bismarck suggested that perhaps the
East holds the future keys of Europe
China, Russia, or both. He told an
anecdote of the King at the battle of
konisgratz, when he mistook the noise of
bullets for the chirping of sparrows He
was persuaded by Bismarck to leave, very
reluctantly, the field when he was in i'm
minent danger, Bismarck riding behind
and giving the rump of the Kings steed
kick to make him gallop. MY master"
Bismarck said turned round and gave
me a reproachful look; but he took the
hint and rode out of danger. That same
evening he telesrnphed to Queen Augusta
Bismarck took me somewhat rudely from
the field"
MY grandfather" said Bismarck, "serV-
ed for three years under Frederick the
|
ensign made blunder during the maneu-
Vers of troops at a review, The King
as was his wont when annoyed fell into
violent rage and pursued the terrified
ensign stick in hand. The young soldier
ran for very life, and jumped a ditch,
leaving the King upon the other side
shaking his stick at him in fury.
Shortly after the escape of the ensign
the colonel of the regiment came up to
The King and said Your Majesty, the
young man committed a blunder, doubt |
less have Just received his resigna
tlon from Your Majesty's service pac-
ing the document into the Kings hands.
am sorry for II, for he was a good
omcer; but he can take no other step
under the circumstances. The King an
sweIed, Send him to me-. The ensign {
was sent for, and came trembling, lest /
ms time the stripes should in reality
Idh upon his shoulders, or still worse,
ne might be sent to prison. Without any /
pretace the King replied, Here is your |
sir. which | endeayored to give !
you this morning; but you ran away so /
'"itly that my old legs could not catch
.ou up One can imagine the delight
u the ensign when he found that ne was
Ie recipient of promotion and not of