HOW THE GERMAN EMPEROR DISMISSED BISMARCK

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3067, 12 March 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

HOW THE GERMAN EMPEROR DISMISSED BISMARCK

A DRAMATIC SCENE

A Swis3 paper has received the following . interestiuar particulars on the subject of ■ Prince Bismarck's resignation from a < man who i> alleged to be initiated into ] Berlin Court secrets as no other has , been, and whose information has always , proved correct: — i On Saturday, the loth March, IS9O, towards 8 o'clock in the morning, while the Prince was still in bed, ho was informed that the Kmperor was waiting to see him in Court Herbert Bismarck's apartmonts in the offioe of the Secretary of Stato. When the Prince entered the room the Emperor received him with the following words, spoken in a tone of the most vehement reproach : '' You a short time ago forbade the Ministers to make reports direotly to me, but I absolutely wish that my Ministers present themselves personally to me." " Your Majesty," answered the Prince, '' by virtue of the law I alone ain authorized and charged to make direct reports to your Majesty ; this is absolutely necessary if the proceedings of the Government are to have a firm and united character. If, within the last few waeks, some Ministers have got into the way of making reports to your Majesty, it is in opposition to the law, which gives this right alone to the Chancellor of your Majesty. But as soon as your Majesty orders me I will yield to your wishes, and propose a change in the law." " Also in tho Working Mens question," continued William 11., still in an excited tone, "my plans meet with your persistent opposition. I look to the measures which I consider useful being carried out thoroughly." "I do not oppose tho improvements which your Majesty thinks of was the reply, " but my years of experience till me that some of them need certain modifications which are absolutely necessaiy, and I shall have the honour of submitting them to your _ Majesty." " No. no ; no modifications," interrupted the Emperor, " I wish my orders to be carried out just as I give them." The severity of this expression of _ his will at last exhausted the Priue's calmness. «• I think I can perceixe that my services are not fortunate enough to please your Majesty," be said, " and _ that some thoughts exist of getting rid of me." The Emperor here made a confirmatory gesture with his haud ; if it was done unknowingly it was not less significant. "In that case there is nothing else for mo to do but to hand your Majesty my resignation. I would only like to beg your Majesty to let me remain in office ill May, so that I may personally defeud tho Military Bill in the Keicbstajr. I fear my successor would find it difficult to break the opposition in Parliament and carry the bill.* While the Chancellor was speaking tho Empeior shook his head several times, and aaid at last ' No, no.' The Prince bowed without saying a word, and waited for a sign from, the Emperor to withdraw. After a. few painful moments of silence the Emperor said, still most excitedly. 'There is still a word to be said about your mysterious negotiations with Dr Wiudthorst. I know you receive him in your house, and I forbid these meetings.' But now the Chancellor, who the whole time had kept his temper with greatest trouble, broke out and said : • I know quite well that lor for iionie time I had tyeen suirounded by spies and talebearers, who watch ever\ step I take. It is true, and again I say it is true, that I have invited Dr Windthorst in order to discuss things with him. But it is not only my right, it is my duty, to have communication with skilled politicians, whether they be members of Parliament or not, and nobody, not even yonr Majesty, Till be able to prevent me from doinwr so.' Aiter these words, spoken in the greatest excitement, the Emperor dismissed his Chancellor with a simple movement of ihe head. ,