13. Essays from "Deutsche Wochenschrift"

The Week of March 22-28, 1888

The deputization that Emperor Frederick entrusted to his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm, was by no means complete and, as expressly emphasized, only served to introduce the heir to the throne to the affairs of government, while the Emperor reserved all important decisions for himself. In fact, although there is still conflicting news about his health, Emperor Frederick attends the Council of Ministers, frequently receives the Imperial Chancellor and works continuously with the civil and military cabinet. There has been no change in German policy, and if Russian newspapers are under the delusion that the German Empire under the present Emperor will distance itself more from Austria-Hungary and lean towards Russia again, they only prove that they have not really realized the true nature and significance of the German-Austrian Confederation. In the meantime, the special envoys of the new German Emperor, who have notified the various heads of state of his accession to the throne, have arrived at their destinations and in some cases have already discharged their duties. The Austrian House of Representatives used the last sessions before the Easter vacations for a major debate on the report of the National Debt Commission, which was only presented to the House a year and a half after its completion. This Commission, in which there was a sharp division between the members of the right and left at the time, found it compatible with its dignity to pass a double, directly contradictory resolution. The original vote of censure against the government was later suppressed. The Hungarian Ministers Tisza and Fejervary arrived in Vienna and during a short stay took part in some deliberations of the joint Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of the Emperor, in which the possible proposals for the delegations are to be discussed. However, no further and more specific information was forthcoming. In the past week, the imperial capital of Vienna also turned its attention primarily to the supplementary elections for the municipal council; in the second electoral body, the anti-Semitic candidates won in several districts with a very lively electoral movement, while in the first electoral body the candidates of the liberal electoral committee prevailed everywhere.

In France, the week once again belonged to General Boulanger. His supporters put him up for the chamber in various new elections, and he did indeed receive many thousands of votes. He should emerge victorious from a run-off election in Laon, and the military commission of inquiry, which had to judge his numerous breaches of discipline, made it possible for him to take his eventual seat with great speed by removing him from his position and retiring him with punishment. In Marseille, the old communist Felix Pyat was elected.

The Oriental question, the outward manifestation of which is still the Bulgarian question, has not taken any step forward. Stambulov has now finally refrained from replying to the Grand Vizier's note, and Bulgaria is still completely calm. Of course, the government remains carefully on its guard, as Russia's complete silence is interpreted in informed circles as if it were secretly preparing a sudden strike. Duchess Clementine, the mother of Prince Ferdinand, has left Bulgaria after a stay of several months and has gone to Cannes via Munich and Paris. From there, it is said, she intends to return to her son in Sofia after a few weeks.

Very unpleasant things have happened in Bucharest in the meantime. The ultra-conservative opposition to Bratianu, led by the deputy Catargin, invaded the royal palace with a mob and demanded a stormy audience with the king, who had just returned to his capital with his wife from the funeral celebrations in Berlin and a two-day visit to Vienna. The police had to be called in to remove the noisemakers from the palace. The next day, the opponents advanced against the chamber; blood was shed and the government felt compelled to call in the military, which drove out the rioters. The outcome of these repeated riots cannot yet be foreseen. However, the better elements of Romania, including the capital, seem to be loyal to Bratianu.