Herr von Holstein, the senior official of the Berlin Foreign
Office, has resigned, and his resignation has been accepted by the Emperor. He was in effect the permanent head of the Wilhelmstrasse, and had probably a more extensive experience of foreign affairs than any other statesman in Europe. First to Bismarck, and then to Caprivi and his successors, he was an indefatigable and vigilant lieutenant. Like all great permanent officials, he was scarcely known to the public, but behind the scenes he exercised for a generation a unique influence upon the policies of Germany and of the world. His creed was Bismarck's,—a preoccupation with the interests of Germany and a cynical disregard for m y of the equities and courtesies of international dealing. at he served his country well and devotedly there can be no oubt, and be formed a kind of fixed centre for foreign affairs t oughout all the changes of German politics. His retirement is sserted to have had no connection with Germany's Moroccan po •cy, but there is reason to believe that he was largely respo •ble for her attitude towards France last summer, and that his influence departed when it was recognised.that that attitude could not be maintained. He has fallen, as Caprivi fell, because of the loss of Imperial favour.
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