William means to throw Austria
against Russia, and to take his precautions in case of defeat,
precautions which would at the same time, safeguard the rear of the
German Empire.
November 29, 1891.
Germany is becoming uneasy; she has heard the rustling of the wings of
defeat. Accustomed to victory, she is suffering, as rich people suffer
under the least of privations. Bankruptcies, one after another, are
spreading ruin in Berlin. Bismarck and William, united in a very
touching manner on this subject, conceived the idea of bringing about
Russia's financial ruin, and of importing into the Prussian capital the
vitality of the Paris market. The fall in Russian securities was unlucky
for the German Bank, and all the scrip that the Berlin Bourse so greedily
devoured, for the sole purpose of preventing Paris from getting it, does
not seem to have been easily digested. The middle class is suffering
from the bad condition of the market, and the increase of taxation; the
lower classes are hungry.
Impassive in his majesty, the Emperor contemplates himself upon the
throne. Now you will find him copying Louis XIV and writing in the
golden book of the city of Muenich _Regis volontas suprema lex_. And
again he will imitate St. Louis, but not finding any oak tree within his
reach, he administers justice on the public highway, as in the
Skinkel-Platz. He is having his own statue made of marble, to be placed
alongside of his throne.
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