Even in a seemingly small matter he had met with much opposition, this time from his master.  The aged monarch clung to the title King of Prussia; but if the title of Emperor was a political necessity, he preferred the title “Emperor of Germany”; nevertheless, the Chancellor tactfully but firmly pointed out that this would imply a kind of feudal over-lordship of all German lands, and that the title “German Emperor”, as that of chief of the nation, was far preferable.  In the end the King yielded, but he retained a sore feeling against his trusted servant for some time on this matter.  It seems that at one time he even thought of abdicating in favour of his son rather than “see the Prussian title supplanted[73].”  However, he soon showed his gratitude for the immense services rendered by Bismarck to the Fatherland.  On his next birthday (March 22) he raised the Chancellor to the rank of Prince and appointed him Chancellor of the Empire.

[Footnote 73:  E. Marcks, Kaiser Wilhelm I. (Leipzig, 1900), pp. 337-343.]

It will be well to give here an outline of the Imperial Constitution.  In all essentials it was an extension, with few changes, of the North German federal compact of the year 1866.  It applied to the twenty-five States of Germany—­inclusive, that is, of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck, but exclusive, for the present, of Elsass-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine).  In those areas imperial law takes precedence of local law (save in a few specially reserved cases for Bavaria and the Free Cities).  The same laws of citizenship hold good in all parts of the Empire.  The Empire controls these laws, the issuing of passports, surveillance of foreigners and of manufactures, likewise matters relating to emigration and colonisation.  Commerce, customs dues, weights and measures, coinage, banking regulations, patents, the consular service abroad, and matters relating to navigation also fall under its control.  Railways, posts and telegraphs (with the exceptions noted above) are subject to imperial supervision, the importance of which during the war had been so abundantly manifested.

The King of Prussia is ipso facto German Emperor.  He represents the Empire among foreign nations; he has the right to declare war, conclude peace, and frame alliances; but the consent of the Federal Council (Bundesrath) is needed for the declaration of war in the name of the Empire.  The Emperor convenes, adjourns, and closes the sessions of the Federal Council and the Imperial Diet (Reichstag).  They are convened every year.  The Chancellor of the Empire presides in the Federal Council and supervises the conduct of its business.  Proposals of laws are laid before the Reichstag in accordance with the resolutions of the Federal Council, and are supported by members of that Council.  To the Emperor belongs the right of preparing and publishing the laws of the Empire:  they must be passed by the Bundesrath and Reichstag, and then receive the assent of the Kaiser.  They are then countersigned by the Chancellor, who thereby becomes responsible for their due execution.