¶ The story is long and complex, but we will give you the large details, only. The day comes when Bismarck's old friend, Emperor William I, passes from this earthly scene; his son, Frederick III, reigns three months and is carried off by cancer of the throat. The doom of Bismarck is now sealed! Emperor William I was the firm foundation of Bismarck's strength, but the son did not like the Iron Chancellor, and within the three brief months of power before death called, Frederick III let it be known that Bismarck was marked for retirement. Frederick's one act leveled against the Bismarck family-dynasty was to dismiss von Puttkammer, Minister of the Interior. ¶ Now enters William II, aged 29, a mighty man in the making, a sleepless man, one who in his time was to become the standard by which henceforth all German institutions are to be measured. His first address to the army; his second, to the navy; his third, three days later, to the citizens. ¶ Did he not ask old von Moltke to resign? Yes, and others. It was not, as many historians set up, that Emperor William II was jealous of Bismarck, nor was it a case of "crabbed age and youth cannot live together." ¶ The Emperor, with firm feeling in his will to Imperial power, wishes to develop Germany along lines of world-wide importance. Bismarck was of the past; William of the future. The blow fell March 28th, 1890. ¶ The world gave a gasp of astonishment; it seemed impossible that Bismarck, the master-mind of United Germany, should be unceremoniously shuffled out of sight. Political writers the world around become involved in spirited controversies, on the whole supporting the old man and denouncing what seemed like ingratitude on the part of the new Emperor. It was pointed out that Bismarck himself, speaking to the Czar, had only a short time before declared, "I hope to die in office, always a good friend of Russia." Also that William II had on New Year's telegraphed to Bismarck, "That I may long be permitted to work with you, for the welfare and greatness of the Fatherland!" * * * * * ¶ If Bismarck was not made by a King's breath, at least a breath destroyed Bismarck's control of the situation. Bismarck had long ruled the lives of millions; but when Wm. II snapped his fingers and said "Finis!" the old Chancellor had to go. The loss of Bismarck's influence was as complete as though instead of being the foremost man of his time in the diplomatic world, he was instead only a clerk discharged by his superior. * * * * * ¶ In listing the elements on which Bismarck builded there is always one often overlooked, yet at the very foundation, the bottom stone in the wall. That one was the favorable attitude of King William I. Without the King's consent, Bismarck's career would have been impossible! Herein, we find a classic illustration of how interdependent are men's lives; what small causes sustain or defeat great careers.