The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-01
4 diplomacy, in which he was a peer.

OF diplomacy, IN which he was a peer.
less master. BISMARCK, 1t must be
remembered, always went to war with
the heaviest battalions and the Ger.
tainty Of victory; but it must also
be considered that the army of 1914
was q far more powerful machine
than the army Of Won MoLTKx in 1870,
and that the General StafY had 81.
preme confidence In all branches Of
the new army, believing that 1t was
scientifically perfect and therefore
invincibls. BrsMARcx always sought
and accepted the Judgments Of ROOM
and MoLrKE as professional soldiers.
With regard to BisMARcK's attitude
toward Austria, a quota ton from an
English edition Of Won PoscHrNoER's
Table Talk" is pertinent. He repre-.
sents the Chancellor as saying on
one occa sion: Germany could never
stand idly by and behold Austria re-
ceive a deadly or even a dangerous
wound. The maintenance Of that
State Is an absolute necessity for the
balance Of power in Europe and in
no circumstances could Germany af-
ford to let Its integrity be impaired.
Friendship with Russia, IL
possible. but friendship with Austria
at all costs" II 10 therefore a fair
conclusion that II war between Aus.
tria and Russia had been unavoid.
able while BISMARCK was Chancellor,
Germany would have taken the field
on the side Of the Dual Monarchy.
which included 90 many Germans
among its subjects But here the
insistent question comes in, Would
BISMARCK as Chancellor have per.
mitted Germany TO follow q foreign
policy that not only united England.
France and Russia against her, but
was a constant irritation to all three
Powers. and at the same time loos
ened the tie that bound Italy TO the
cause Of the Hapsburge and Hohen-
zollerns7
Judging from BIsMAscK's skill in
political intrigue. he would have pre-
vented q rapprochement between Eng
land and France. or he would have
perpetuated the old enmity between
England and Russia, which his ad-
mired friend DIsRAEL did 30 much
TO aggravate. BISMARCK would GER
tainly have not conceived the idea that
the future OF Germany was on the
sea and estranged England by enter
ing into competition with her as a
naval power. Although he was con-
verted to the colonial policy, Bis
MARCK said to a group Of Deputies
at Friedr.chSuhe on one coca hon:
Gentlemen. colonial policy is not car
fled on By Generals or Prvy Coun.
cillors. but BY trading houses and
commercial travellers" WILLIAM ii.
has acted on a different view Of the
matter. and more than once II has
brought the nation to the verge Of
war.
BISMARCK talked as freely as the
ma ster who discarded him, perhaps
more freely. but seldom or never did
the Chancellor use expressions that
were offensive TO other Governments
or provoked distrust or fear. lie did
not rattle the sabre until the time
came to draw II. There were few mis-
takes and gaucheries In BIsMARcK's
foreign policy; In that OF WILLIAM III.
they have been the rule rather than
the exception. and only the army has
saved the situation at times. BIS
MARCK had no understudies. no pupils.
He wanted them no more than the
Emperor has wanted them. Neither
brooked rivals. But the result has
been that the Emperor in taking the
foreign, as well as the domestic. poll
Icy OF Germany on his shoulders has
had no usefu assistants-only pup
pets 10 do MS will But nature IA
not make WILLIAM IL. a great d,plo-
mat. II is true that he has IA united
Germany behind him in the greatest
OF all wars, a sight that would thrill
the statesman who made WILLIAMS
grandfather Emperor; but what OF
the future IL Germany Is overwhelmed
by her enemiesr