During the War--The German Empire is Proclaimed
The blue and white Bavarian and the black and white Prussian banners
were waving side by side in the streets when the Crown Prince proceeded
on his journey that same evening. The King accompanied him to the
railway station; Prince Otto and Prince Luitpold followed him to war.
Never before had Ludwig felt himself more beloved by his people,
never before had he been regarded with greater respect by the whole of
Germany. But the demands which were made at this time on his powers of
work, the representative duties which he had not been able to avoid,
had over-taxed his strength. His physical sufferings took possession
of him to so great a degree that he found it not only impossible to
proceed to the seat of war, but also to remain in his capital. The
great victories which succeeded one another aroused a feeling of the
utmost joy among his people. But he who was not on the field of battle,
felt the good tidings as almost a reproach. He was not master of his
moods; the public which satisfied him one day displeased and wearied
him the next.
On the 1st of September he came from Berg to Munich. The day afterwards
he called upon a Russian Grand Duchess who was passing through his
capital. It was the day of Sedan. The news that the French army had
surrendered and that Napoleon was a prisoner reached him the following
morning. Everywhere the victory was celebrated, for it was thought to
be the precursor of a conclusion of peace. In the towns and villages
of Bavaria there were illuminations, flags and banners, music and
showers of flowers. Only the ruler of the country did not participate
in the general rejoicings. Despite the earnest representations of
the Minister of the Royal House and of his equerry, he could not be
persuaded to remain in Munich on the 3rd of September. He said to his
Minister, "As there is neither a German Empire nor a German Republic,
as hitherto there has not been any German Confederation, it is my
wish that only Bavarian flags, or better still, no flags at all,
shall be hoisted on the Government buildings." [20]
He returned to his solitude. The procession which the same evening
defiled past the Royal Palace greeted the Queen-mother, who was
standing at the window, with lively shouts of hurrah. But it pained
all parties that the Monarch disdained their homage on this day. No
sooner had the Crown Prince of Prussia left Munich than he received
a letter from Ludwig in which the latter expressed the wish that
"the independence of Bavaria might be respected at the conclusion of
peace." The handwriting was bad, and the lines uneven; but the contents
bore witness to the warmth of his patriotism. Friedrich ridiculed this
"patriotic" letter. Amiable as the King had been towards the Crown
Prince of Prussia during his short visit, the impression received
by the guest had not been altogether favourable. In April 1868 he
had visited him when on a journey to Italy, and had enjoyed being
in his company. Now he was "alarmed at the alteration two years had
made." He noted in his diary that Ludwig gave the impression of being
very nervous, that he was less handsome than formerly, and had lost
one of his front teeth.
The young King knew that comparisons had been made between him
and the King of Prussia, who led his army in person. He could not
possibly be blind to the fact that this comparison was not to his
advantage, hiding himself away as he did, and shunning the love of
his people. Good and bad feelings were fighting for the mastery in
his soul. He was a faithful and honourable ally. After the victory at
Metz he congratulated the King of Prussia as "William the Conqueror,"
and he sent the Crown Prince the Order of Max Joseph. But he gave his
Ministers contradictory orders where the negotiations with Prussia
were concerned. Although his mother was a Hohenzollern, his personal
sympathies were by no means wedded to this house.
The thought of a German Empire had arisen. At the headquarters at
Versailles the project was discussed, and it was thought that King
Wilhelm should be the Emperor. This was the object of both Bismarck's
and the Crown Prince's labours. With regard to details, however,
their views were at complete variance. Friedrich desired a German
unified state; he thought of the Emperor as surrounded by responsible
ministers. The German Princes would, of course, govern within the
limits of their countries, but their power must be considerably
curtailed; and those who would not voluntarily make sacrifices
for the federated fatherland must be made to do so by force. The
Chancellor, on the other hand, was of opinion that the Princes ought
to be protected as far as was possible, and that they ought to retain
their rights. He greatly desired that the Empire might arise from a
free agreement on their side. "If only the South Germans would take
the decisive step!" he often said. [21] The King of Prussia had up to
the last moment little desire to accept the Imperial crown. Should it,
however, prove to be necessary, he wished that it might take place on
the invitation of the King of Bavaria. Ludwig was pressingly invited
to come to Versailles. Shortly before this he had, through a fall
from his horse, twisted his ankle, with the result that it caused
him excessive pain to sit on horseback. Still, for a short time, he
considered the question of proceeding thither. Bismarck's secretary,
Busch, tells us in his memoirs that it was thought to summon a
congress of Princes on the 11th of October, and that it was hoped
that the King of Bavaria would be present. The historical rooms of
Versailles were to be placed at his disposal, as it was considered
that he would appreciate this mark of attention. "I never thought
that I should come to play the part of a major-domo at Trianon,"
said Bismarck. "If only the King will come!"
But the King did not come.
On the 19th of October the Ministers of Würtemberg, Hesse, and Baden
went to Versailles. On the 20th the King of Bavaria sent his Ministers
Bray, Pranckh, and Lutz to the headquarters.
It appeared at first as if the negotiations would be crowned with
success; the desire that South Germany should offer King Wilhelm the
Imperial crown seemed to be nearing its fulfilment. The leaders of
the national party developed a restless energy. Large meetings of the
people accepted resolutions which made for the same end. The press
warmly advocated a German Empire. The greatest enthusiasm in favour
of the project was shown in Prussia and in Baden; but it spread from
land to land.
On the 7th of November negotiations took place between the Ministers of
Würtemberg, Hesse, and Baden. The Bavarian Minister was not invited to
take part in it, no agreement having been come to with Bavaria. This
annoyed Ludwig. "Why do they conclude agreements with Würtemberg,
Baden, and Hesse and not till later with my Government?" he exclaimed
in anger. He was tired of the throne, tired of European politics. His
nerves were overstrung, and he demanded that Prince Otto should at
once leave the seat of war; he awaited his arrival at Hohenschwangau
with impatience. "I look upon my brother as the King," he said to those
about him. "Matters hang on a single thin thread, and then it will be,
'Le roi Louis II. est mort. Vive le roi Othon I.!'"
On the 5th of November the Prince arrived; not without danger had he
travelled day and night to fulfil his brother's wish. The King talked
much and excitedly to him of abdicating the throne. Otto dissuaded him
from such a step in the most affectionate manner. He asked permission
to return to Versailles; but it was not until peace was all but
concluded that he obtained the Monarch's consent to this step. Ludwig
soon changed his mind with regard to his abdication. "Fancy," he said
shortly afterwards to a gentleman of his entourage, "Count B. really
believes that I am seriously thinking of abdicating." He enforced the
necessity on several influential personages, "of using every effort
in order that these rumours should be definitely put a stop to." [22]
By the 15th of November an agreement had been come to with Baden
and Hesse. Accord with Würtemberg seemed likewise near at hand. But
suddenly steps were taken from Munich which caused the Government in
Stuttgart to assume a waiting position; the Würtembergian delegates
received a telegraphic message to the effect "that they were to go
hand in hand with their Bavarian colleagues." [23] It became known
that this later change of front was owing to the intrigues of the
Austrian Chancellor, Count von Beust, who was at this time a visitor
at Munich, and who had always been the enemy of Prussia.
Ludwig made strenuous attempts to preserve the independence of
his country, demanding during the negotiations not only independent
sovereignty with regard to home affairs, but also that Bavaria should
continue to have an independent army and her own foreign policy. As he
would not give way an inch in the matter, the question of the German
Empire stood for some time on an exceedingly critical footing.
The Crown Prince of Prussia was filled with indignation over the
protracted nature of the proceedings, and wished to break down
the opposition of Bavaria by force. The wise Bismarck, however,
advised a considerate course. "With the Bavarian troops fighting
with the Prussians against France, Prussia can hardly coerce their
country." The Grand Duke of Baden had come to the headquarters; he
sent one of his confidential friends to Munich to persuade Ludwig
to proceed to Versailles. The Bavarian Ministers likewise exerted
themselves to induce him to make the journey. "I know well that in
many respects it would be advisable for me to make this journey," said
the King. "It need hardly be said that it would also be of political
advantage. But I feel myself too suffering. Whether or not I take the
journey depends, moreover, on the guarantees which I desire. Without
them I will not go! Here the matter rests--it is my will!"
"Ludwig is not coming to Versailles, firstly, because he cannot
ride just now without discomfort, and, secondly, because he does
not like playing second fiddle," wrote Bismarck's secretary, Busch,
in his journal.
No one could deny that he had done Prussia invaluable service by
the rapidity with which he had decided to mobilise his army. He
now thought his action entitled him to ask a service in return from
this country. One of his wishes was to extend the frontiers of his
land. His Ministers inquired whether the Palatinate of Baden, which
in olden days had been the territory of the Electors of Bavaria,
could be ceded to Bavaria, Baden receiving as indemnity a portion of
Alsace-Lorraine. To this Bismarck answered decisively that "Baden was
a 'noli me tangere,'" and that neither King Wilhelm nor the Archduke
of Baden would ever agree to it."
On the evening of the 23rd of November he had another meeting with the
Bavarian Ministers. An agreement was at last come to. After they had
left him, at ten o'clock in the evening, he said in a satisfied tone:
"German unity is a completed act, and the 'Emperor' likewise. It
is an event!... The agreement has its weak points; but as it is,
it is more tenable. I consider it to be the most important thing
we have accomplished this year. With regard to the 'Emperor' I made
him more acceptable during the negotiations, as I represented to the
Ministers that it must be easier and more convenient for their Kings
to allow the German Emperor certain privileges than to allow them to
the neighbouring King of Prussia."
Ludwig made a last attempt to maintain his position. Prince Adalbert
pressed him to put forward a claim that the Kings of Bavaria and of
Prussia should alternately wear the Imperial crown; and Prince Luitpold
was pushed forward to make this proposal. Bismarck scouted the idea,
remarking: "The King of Bavaria lives in a world of dreams. He is
hardly more than a boy who does not know his own mind!" The Prussian
statesman, it need hardly be said, was careful not to say this directly
to Ludwig. He wrote a long and exceedingly deferential letter to him,
in which he emphasised how necessary it was that the Imperial crown
should be offered to the King of Prussia, and that it was for the
King of Bavaria to take the first step. If the last-named would not
make the proposal, the Princes of the smaller states would do this,
and Ludwig in such a case could not avoid following in their footsteps.
The descendant of the thousand-year-old House of Wittelsbach, which had
counted three emperors among its forefathers, bent before the force
of circumstances. He telegraphed to his Minister, Count Bray, that
the latter was to inform Bismarck that Count Holnstein would arrive
at Versailles within three days, to discuss with him the details of
the matter. "Not till then"--he expressed himself--"shall I be able
to make a final decision." Holnstein hurried off. Without losing a
moment's time he sought out Bismarck, and made him acquainted with
his errand, after which he immediately returned to Hohenschwangau.
Ludwig was in bed with a toothache, and would not be disturbed, but
the Count knew how to arouse his curiosity in such a manner that
he was received in audience all the same. He brought with him two
sealed envelopes; the one contained a renewed demand to Ludwig to
offer Wilhelm the Imperial crown; the other was the draft, composed
by Bismarck, of a communication from the King of Bavaria in which
this was done. The application was favourably received. Ludwig at
once decided to follow the Prussian statesman's instructions. With
his own hand he wrote the letter which transformed Germany into an
empire. Count Holnstein now rode to Munich, in conformity with the
King's command that he should confer with Secretary Eisenhart, whom
he found in the Residenz Theater. He presented the aforesaid letter
from Ludwig to the King of Prussia, also one to Eisenhart in which
his master inquired whether he considered it desirable that another
communication, couched in terms more suited to the circumstances,
should be sent: in such a case the King gave Eisenhart a free
hand to retain his own letter. The secretary sent it on without
alteration. Holnstein swung himself up on his horse again and rode
off to Versailles. In accordance with Ludwig's express command,
his communication was handed to the King of Prussia by Prince Luitpold.
"The King of Bavaria has copied Bismarck's letter word for word,"
noted Prince Friedrich in his journal.
The delight was great all over Germany. It was known that it was
the young King of Bavaria, who had spoken the word at the right
moment. Only the initiated were cognisant that he had done it under
pressure and after hesitation. Hardly a dinner was given, and no
political meeting was held, but the health of "Ludwig the German"
was drunk with enthusiasm. The greatest satisfaction prevailed at
headquarters. He was no longer now "the boy who did not know his own
mind." Both Bismarck and the King of Prussia expressed themselves in
terms of the warmest recognition of the Bavarian Sovereign.
The proclamation of the Empire was to take place at Versailles on the
18th of January, 1871. Three days before this date the future emperor
summoned the court chaplain to him. He spoke of Ludwig II.'s idealism,
and added: "Whatever his abilities may be, he must at any rate be
very highly considered." Bismarck at an entertainment rose to his
feet, and made the following speech:--"I drink to the health of his
Majesty the King of Bavaria, and to the prosperity of his dynasty,
which has extended through a thousand years! I can only repeat that
as long as I have a voice in matters, a step shall never be taken
which might wound Bavaria in its rightful position. His Majesty the
King will find in me, as long as I live, a servant as attached as if
I were still his vassal." [24]
After the death of Ludwig II. the Chancellor of the German Empire
declared: "In 1870 Ludwig was our only influential friend in Germany."