Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . ling of enmity towardsthe National Liberals. Suddenly in the spring of1877 he sent in his resignation. There were, how-ever, other reasons for doing this. He had becomeaware that the financial policy of the Empire hadnot been successful; on every side it seemed thatnew blood and new methods were required. Infinancial matters he had little experience or author- 404 Bismarck. [i878 ity ; he had to depend on his colleagues and hecomplained of their unfruitfulness. Influenced per-haps by his perception of this, under the pretext—agenuine pretext-—
Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . ling of enmity towardsthe National Liberals. Suddenly in the spring of1877 he sent in his resignation. There were, how-ever, other reasons for doing this. He had becomeaware that the financial policy of the Empire hadnot been successful; on every side it seemed thatnew blood and new methods were required. Infinancial matters he had little experience or author- 404 Bismarck. [i878 ity ; he had to depend on his colleagues and hecomplained of their unfruitfulness. Influenced per-haps by his perception of this, under the pretext—agenuine pretext-—of ill-health, he asked the Em-peror to relieve him of his offices. The Emperorrefused. Never, he wrote on the side of the min-ute. Instead he granted to Bismarck unlimitedleave of absence. In the month of April the Chan-cellor retired to Varzin; for ten months he wasabsent from Berlin, and when he returned, recruitedin health, in February, 1878, it was soon apparentthat a new period in his career and in the history ofthe Empire was to CHAPTER XVI. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE AND ECONOMIC THE year 1878 forms a turning-point both ininternal and in external politics. Up to thisyear Prussia has been aUied with the twoEastern monarchies ; the Empire has been governedby the help of the National Liberal party ; the chiefenemy has been the Clericals. The traditions of thetime before the war are still maintained. After thisyear the understanding with Russia breaks down ;instead of it the peace of Europe is preserved by theTriple Alliance with Austria and Italy. In internalaffairs the change is even more marked ; the risingpower of the Socialists is the enemy to be foughtagainst; for this conflict, peace has to be made withthe Catholics—the May laws are modified or alliance with Liberalism breaks down, and theefforts of the Government are devoted to a far-reaching scheme of financial reform and social legis-lation. When, in April, 1877, the Emperor r
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