From the very beginning there were differences of opinion; the old and the new did not think or feel alike.  Bismarck looked with disapproval on the constant journeys of the Emperor; he feared that he was compromising his dignity.  Moltke and others of the older generation retired from the posts they filled; Bismarck, with growing misgivings, stayed on.  His promises to his old master, his love of power, his distrust of the capacity of others, all made it hard for him to withdraw when he still might have done so with dignity.  We cannot doubt that his presence was irksome to his master; his influence and authority were too great; before them, even the majesty of the Throne was dimmed; the Minister was a greater man than the Sovereign.

If we are to understand what happened we must remember how exceptional was the position which Bismarck now occupied.  He had repeatedly defied the power of Parliament and shewn that he was superior to the Reichstag; there were none among his colleagues who could approach him in age or experience; the Prussian Ministers were as much his nominees as were the officials of the Empire.  He himself was Chancellor, Minister-President, Foreign Minister, and Minister of Trade; his son was at the head of the Foreign Office and was used for the more important diplomatic missions; his cousin was Minister, of the Interior; in the management of the most critical affairs, he depended upon the assistance of his own family and secretaries.  He had twice been able against the will of his colleagues to reverse the whole policy of the State.  The Government was in his hands and men had learnt to look to him rather than to the Emperor.  Was it to be expected that a young man, ambitious, full of spirit and self-confidence, who had learnt from Bismarck himself a high regard for his monarchical duties, would acquiesce in this system?  Nay, more; was it right that he should?

It was a fitting conclusion to his career that the man who had restored the monarchical character of the Prussian State should himself shew that before the will of the King he, as every other subject, must bow.

Bismarck had spent the winter of 1889 at Friedrichsruh.  When he returned to Berlin at the end of January, he found that his influence and authority had been undermined; not only was the Emperor influenced by other advisers, but even the Ministry shewed an independence to which he was not accustomed.  The chief causes of difference arose regarding the prolongation of the law against the Socialists.  This expired in 1890, and it was proposed to bring in a bill making it permanent.  Bismarck wished even more than this to intensify the stringency of its provisions.  Apparently the Emperor did not believe that this was necessary.  He hoped that it would be possible to remove the disaffection of the working men by remedial measures, and, in order to discuss these, he summoned a European Congress which would meet in Berlin.