“When the Upper Chamber resumed the consideration of the District Regulations last autumn, the necessity of the reform was so fully recognised in the highest quarters that not only Count Eulenburg, the Minister of the Interior, but the Sovereign also had committed himself to that measure. As far back as February, 1872, the Ministry, in view of the attitude of the Upper House, passed a resolution declaring its approval in principle of a reform of the Chamber--a reform which was, indeed, to be based solely on the idea of a Council of State, and not on that of a real Chamber of Peers in the English sense.[8] Naturally such a radical change found many opponents in exalted circles, and even the Liberal party received the proposed reform with relative coolness, being much more interested in an energetic handling of the District Regulations question. At this juncture they regarded the District Regulations as the ‘bird in the hand,’ and showed little appreciation for the reform of the Upper Chamber, which they looked upon rather as the ‘two in the bush.’ “The leading statesman thought differently. He was of opinion that if one secured a twenty mark piece (the reform of the Upper House) it would be an easy matter to get change for it and secure also the thaler (the District Regulations). When, therefore, in the autumn the Upper House again showed itself recalcitrant, its attitude was by no means unwelcome at Varzin, though there was no particular enthusiasm for a creation of peers. In fact something more was desired. Hence the hints given to individual members of the Upper House that the Prince, who was then away on leave, was not at all keen about the District Regulations. In short it looked as if the then President of the Prussian Council of Ministers had no objection to an amendment of the Bill in the direction proposed by the Upper House, and did not want any secret made of his views to certain of his colleagues who were members of that Chamber. If this is an accurate statement of facts it is easy to conjecture what plans were being laid. The Prince would have had an opportunity of intervening, and ultimately the Upper House would have been confined to that consultative position which he regards as indispensable, if it is to be retained as a living factor in the State. It will be remembered that this scheme was frustrated by a creation of peers. The latter measure was opposed in a memorandum from Varzin, which declared in favour of an immediate reform of the House of Peers. But this proposal was supported only by one member of the Ministry, namely Count Roon. Count Eulenburg carried the day with the majority of the Cabinet, the hints given to certain members of the Upper House with regard to amendments of the District Regulations Bill having in the meantime reached the ears of the Sovereign.