SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
Mader this heading me notice such Books of the week as have not been reserved for review in other forms.]
Conversations with Prince Bismarck. Edited by Sidney Whitman. (Harper and Brothers. 6s.)—Mr. Whitman tells us that he has drawn nearly all his materials from the publications of Heinrich von Poschinger, who has held office for many years in the Ministry of the Interior, and has, therefore, had access to official records. But official records do not make the whole, or even the chief, part of this book. It is what the great man said in private life, and his own recollections of the part he played in public affairs, that make it so interesting. Part I. deals with the Franco-Prussian War, especially with the negotiations for an armistice, and ultimately for peace after the great successes of the German Army. Bismarck was certainly a great negotiator, for he knew exactly when to stand firm and when to yield. Then there is an account of his attitude when the French Government introduced an Army Reorganisation Bill. He instructed Count Henry Arnim, "at that time Ambass ador to the Third Republic, to _go to Paris on the following Monday, and officially apprise M. Thiers that, unless he forthwith shelved his ' outrageous Army Bill,' the German Army would be mobilised within a fort-
night You will do the French a good turn if you warn them that the Prussian Eagle "—this comes from a talk with Mr. Beatty Kingston—" has strong talons and a sharp beak, always ready to scratch and bite." The warning was conveyed, we are told, by the Daily Telegraph. Afterwards we have a vivid account of the Prince's relations with the Kaiser Wilhelm. The Kaiser wished him to resign, but the Prince would be dismissed. There is an interesting distinction between Bismarck's personal views and those put forward by his organ in the Press. "Not too effusive, not too abusive," was his " keynote." He seems to have been decidedly a " pro-Boer," and to have been less clear- sighted than usual in thinking that the South African Republics could hold their own. There is a notable conversation with Li Hung Chang. All that we read increases our respect for Bis- marck's wonderful powers. But his opinions on morality in politics are worth nil.
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