Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-09-14


can Book company, the Journal has
received a copy Of Harding's Medic
val and Modern History" used In the
public schools OF New Mexico az a
textbook. TO give an idea of the work
OF Bismarck in bringing about the uni
ficaiion OF Germany and the estab-
llshment OF the empire. part OF a
chapter on that subject is hereby
printed.)
In 1861 William I succeeded his
brother, Frederick william ". as king
Of Proussia. The humiliation Of Prussia
al Olmutz had burned deem into his
patriotic soul His chief aim became
the expulsion Of Austria from the
German confederation, and the union
Of Germany under Prussia. But the
accomplishment OF these ends was
largely the work OF his minister. Otto
Won Bismarck. The latter was
statesman OF commanding genius and
relentless will. From the beginning
Of my career" Bismarck once. said.
II have had but one guiding star: BY
what means and In what way can /
bring Germany TO unity?" Bismarck
had served for time as the Prussian
envoy In the diet at Frankfort. This
service had taught him that Austria
was the chief enemy TO Prussian
greatness and to German unity. and
that ultimately Prussia would have to
fight her. In 1852 Bismarck became
the chief minister Of Prussia. From
that time until his dismissal from Of
flee In 1899. he played the largest part
in shaping German destinies.
Believed In "Divine Right"
Bismarck was an aristocrat of the
aristocrats He was a staunch up
holder Of the theory that monarchs
rule by the grace Of God" and not by
the will OF the people. The hope Of
German unity. he believed. lay not in
liberalism but in Prussias making it.
self great military power. Ne
wished to secure a REORGANIZATION OF
the Prussian army, together with in
creased ornaments. To accomplish
this. Bismarck was Obliged for four
years to wage an unceasng conflict
with the snoftslghted liberal MAORI
ties OF the Pruss.an diet. who refused
the necessary appropriation. With
brutal frankness Bismarck declared,
in his first speech TO the diet. THE
unity of Germany is to be brought
about, not BY speeches nor by votes
of majorities. but by blood and iron. .
With indomitable courage and inflexi-
bic will he forced the Prussian people
to submit TO his direction. AT times
he either hoodwinked or overrode the
king himself.
First Opportunity to Use Army.
Bismarcks first opportunity to use
the reorganized army came in 1864.
In that year war was successfully
waged ~ Prussia and Austria Jointly
against Denmark. in the interest OF
the Germans of Sleswick and Holstein,
who were under Danish rule. As a
result of the war. these two duchies
were taken temporarily under the
joint rule of the victors. From this
the adroit and unscrupulous
diplomacy of Bismarck--bv stems too
to be here related-~succeedel
Tin June, 1861 in bringing forth his
long contemplated war with Austria. /
In this contest Austria was sup
ported by all the South German states
tincmding Saxony), and by Hanover
and some other states of North Ger I
many. To most observers. it seemed (
that Prussia must surely be crushed. /
Italy, however. had secretly promised /
to aid Prussia, and in return was to be /
given the Austrian province of Vene-
tia. The Prussian army was armed I
with breech-load needle guns;i'l
while the Austrians. in common with
the rest of Europe. still used muzzle-
leaders, In which no Improvement had
taken place since the beginning Of the
century, excepting the substitution OF 1
the percussion cap for the old flint
lock. Above all. the Prussians had in
Room, the minister Of war. and in
Moltke, the general in the field men
who in their spheres were as able as
Bismarck was in diplomacy.
Superior Preparations.
The thorough preparation OF the
Germans gave them from the beginning
The advantage over their opponents.
Within three days the Prussians occu-
pied three hostile German states.
Within seven weeks the war was over.
On the eve of the decisive battle, I.
Moltke Joined the army in Bohemia,
together with the king. Bismarck /
and Room. On July the Austriansi
were overwhelmingly defeated in the
battle of koniggratz. or Sadowa,
.Your majesty has won not only the
BATTLE" said Moltke TO King William,
but the campaign"
With wise moderation Bismarck
checked the demands of the military
and offered to Austrians a
iteral peace. yenetia alone was TAX
IN from her. and given to Italy.
Prussia made no territorial gains
rom Austria. but she did annex Sizes
together with the Z
North German states which had