Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-20

He was cognizant of Prussia's posi-
tion in European affairs. He knew her
relations with France, with the South
German states, with Austria and Den
mark. He knew, too. the temper OF his
people and he had full realization
that the time would come when a
united Germany must not only fight
for its own preservation, but must
strike its enemies and strike them
hard. If Prussia was not to remain
an isolated. second-rate nation it must
gather around it all the Germanic
states it could. To do this. war with
Austria was not only possible, it was
imperative. And the aggressive attl-
tude of France must be quelled. This
meant not intimidation. but war,
The Rhine was German river. 1t must
not wash the shores of France. The
German nation had for years had this
as a shibboleth.
1t has already been told how Prus-
sian autocracy had for the time sue
cumbed to the revolutionary movement
in 1S4s. This was its fate also in most
of the German states. Then the Frank
fort diet was revived, and the attempt
was made to furnish constitution.
Like the French, as described in the
chapter on the revolution, the Germans
We're so unused to par1iaments that
they lost themselves in the lntricacles
seemed to think in the same terms and
the confusion was hopeless. All the
petty jealousy of states arose to trou-
BILE the diet, and opinions were as
thick as blackbirds. but common ba-
sis of agreement did not appear. By
agreement an Austrian archduke was
appointed imperial vicar, with power to
select his own ministers.
But when it came to formulating
basic laws the republicans and consti-
tutionalists fell out. Then, too. the
Danish question arose. Denmark
claimed as part of its realm the duchy
of Schleswig and a portion of HolStein.
The latter was a member of the Ger
man confederation. The German party
in those duchies had risen against the
Danes in 1s4S. but had been
the victors out of Schleswig, but this
and the Danish blockade of Prussian
ports on the Baltic had caused bad
feeling on both sides.
Meanwhile the question of the con-
stitution had not been settled. and
seemed as far off ever. The revolu-
tionary party was still insistent: the
aristocrats of Prussia and elsewhere
were more alarmed than ever. and the
king, on whom demand had been
made to recognize the Austrian revolu-
tfonists- instead called out the troops
IN Berlin Later quiet was restored,
and the diet agreed upon certain basic
laws. 1t was also decided that Aus
tria should be excluded. This meant
the domination of Prussia, and the title
emperor was offered to Frederick Will
liam He refused it. not wishing to ac-
cept crown from the mob, and strife
over the constitution began among the
states In several there were upris-
tngs which the Prussian soldiers sought
to quell- At last it was accepted by
Saxony and Hanover. 1t curbed de-
mocracy and extended the rulers pow
erS.
After a parliament had met and ac-
cepted the constitution, Saxony, Han
over, Bavaria and Wurttemberg with
drew and asked Austria to reconsider a
revival of the confederation. This, in
fact, was done There was then grave
trouble in esse-Cassel, and soon after
the Danish war recommended. This
matter was compromised in few
months, however. The breaking out of
the Crimean war divided the Germans,
those in the south siding with Austria,
while Prussia showed clearly the Rus
sian influence
Now it was that the old king was
Obliged to step aside. and William of
Prussia took his place. Here is where
this chapter properly begins
In the new monarch there was nothing
OF the dreamy character of his brother.
He had early adopted strong views on
absoiutism. and he abhorred republican
PRINCIPLES. HIS experiences in the revolu-
tlorl mad confirmed these views, and he
had been greatly displeased at the time by
the kings compromise and surrender to
the mob and to Austria
Led by Bismarck. he for policy's sake
modified his views on the subject of con-
stitution considerably, fearing to endanRer
the cause of Germanic union which had
by this time been somewhat strengthened
W M ,,ip l1,-a
ate LIBERAL
There was work ahead for the soldier
king, the work which is done with swords
and rifles, and he could not afford to let
anything divide his people at this time
He and Bismarck saw clearly that trouble
was coming both with Denmark and Aus
tria- 1t was on Bismarck's advice that
the Prussian army concentrated on the
Rhine in 1859, and because of that fact
Napoleon III suddenly saw SO bright and
dangerous light that his aid of Cavour
and Charles Albert stopped short. the
result being peace with Austria in which
the Italians were not even consulted Not
only had Austria by that war been beaten
and despoiled of part of her Italian
possessions, but Germanys other rival
France, was made to obey a significant
warning. Austria was not deceived by
the Prussian mobilization. 1t was not for
her aid so much as for Prussia's glory.
One of the first tasks King William as
ssuned on taking Office was a reoreaniza-
ton OF the army. If Prussia was to adj
vance 1t must be by force of arms. The
system was Anticipated and put only about
$4,000 new men into military training.
the king revised the system SO that this
was increased to $4,000 But parliament
voted down his bill. and this deadlock
continued for several years.
1t IS said the king prepared tc abdica,e
just then he called Bismarck to MIS- min
lstry- heretofore the latter was. although
member OF parliament only an unoff,cia II
adviser of the king. Immediately ARM
prospects frightened The chamber =,
deputies still voted down the bill Int a .
the upper house voted for II tI,e In
therefore assumed that it had PASSED az
proceeded to levy the necessary tay 60
TO reorganiZe the army.
Inc hrst use to which the army was
put was the settlement of the Scbies-
wiS-Holstein controversy with Den.
mark constitution had been adont
ed by Denmark which took in Scbles
wig. Austria was then persuaded nv
Prussia to insist on the agreement
made in 1852, by which the duchy wa 3
to remain independent, although the
Danish sovereign was Duke of Schles-
wig.
An ultimatum was presented to Dem
mark demanding withdrawal from
Schleswig within forty-eight hours