Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1885 — Germany the Foremost Nation. [ARTICLE]

Germany the Foremost Nation.

So far as military power and political influence goes Germany to-day is confessedly the foremost nation of the earth. When Russia had almost destroyed the military power of the Turks And Constantinople was within her grasp, she was deprived of the fruits of her victory by Germany. Bismarck formed an alliance with Austria and England, and these two latter powers profited more by the discomfiture of the Turks than did Russia. But Great Britain in turn has been made to feel the power of Germany. When the project was under way for opening Congo land to the commerce of the world, England made a treaty with Portugal, which would have given those two powers a monopoly of the trade of Central Africa, England, of course, to have the lion’s share; but Bismarck promptly interfered, and insisted that a congress should be held in Berlin to settle the question as to the rights of the various powers in the new scene of trade enterprise. Great Britain submitted humbly, and in the conference subsequently held matters were so arranged that all nations would have equal rights in any new commerce that might be created. Should Bismarck die, Germany in all probability would lose her pre-emi-nence. He is the state. But with him, as with all great men, his successors will probably seem small and feeble by comparison. —Demores Vs Mon thly .