told one of the three partners in a firm that the other two partners had invited him to join them in humiliating him to the dust, there would have been a pretty brisk, not to say acrimonious correspondence between the proposed victim and his partners.  Governments, it appears, look on things differently, and so far as the public knows, England simply took no notice of the Emperor’s communication.  Possibly, however, the Emperor had put the matter too strongly and an explanation of some kind was forthcoming.  If so, it must be looked for among the secret archives of the Foreign Office.  It was at once suggested that the Emperor made the revelation expressly to weaken, if not destroy, the Entente.  One can conceive Bismarck doing such a thing; but it is more in keeping with the Emperor’s character, and with the indiscreet character of the entire interview, to suppose it to be a proof of deplorable candour and sincerity.

The excitement in Germany caused by the publication of the interview soon took the shape of a determination on the part of the Chancellor and the Federal Council, for once fully identifying themselves with the feelings of Parliament, Press, and people, that “something must be done,” and it was decided that the Chancellor should go to Potsdam, see the Emperor, and try to obtain from him a promise to be more cautious in his utterances on political topics for the future.  The Chancellor went accordingly, being seen off from the railway terminus in Berlin by a large crowd of people, among whom were many journalists.  To Dr. Paul Goldmann, who wished him God-speed, he could only reply that he hoped all would be for the best.  He looked pale and grave, as well he might, since he was about to stake his own position as well as convey a mandate of national reproach.

What passed at Potsdam between the Emperor and his Chancellor has not transpired.  Naturally there are various accounts of it, one of them representing the Emperor as flying into a passion and for long refusing to give the required guarantees; but as yet none of them has been authenticated.  It should not be difficult to imagine the mental attitudes of the two men on the occasion, and especially not difficult to imagine the sensations of the Emperor, a Prussian King, on being impeached by a people—­his people—­for whom, his feeling would be, he had done so much, and in whose best interests he felt convinced he had acted; but whatever occurred, it ended in the Emperor bowing before the storm and giving the assurances required.

The Chancellor’s countenance and expressions on his return to Berlin showed that his mission had been successful, and there was great satisfaction in the capital and country.  The text of these assurances, which was published in the Official Gazette the same evening, was as follows: