3-077-879 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

General von Caprivi, the new Chancellor of the German Empire, 1890. 'General George von Caprivi de Caprera de Montecucculi...served with distinction in the campaigns of 1864 and 1866. In 1870 he acted as Chief of the Staff to the 10th Corps, and took part in all the battles on the Loire. Winning further advancement in military rank, he was appointed in 1882 to the command of the 30th Division at Metz; and next year, passing from the Army to the Navy, he [was appointed] head of the Admiralty. His performances in organising the fleet of the German Empire obtained much notice on the accession of the Emperor William II... the Army regained the services of General Von Caprivi, who, in the redistribution of military commands, was rewarded with that of the 10th or Hanoverian Army Corps, one of the finest in the whole service. He is undoubtedly a man of great administrative ability; but whether or not he possesses the talents of a diplomatist or the sagacity of a statesman remains to be proved. The Emperor William II. probably intends to do his own statesmanship. It is said that his Majesty prefers a soldier for his new Chancellor, as likely to know best how much strength is given to an Imperial policy by having an Army to back it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.