The Bismarck Prophecy - Did Bismarck Predict the Rise of Japan
Did a German Aristocrat Foresee Both World Wars and Their Outcomes
The Launceston Examiner (Australia) from 26th September 1904 contains this article:
The following story has been told at Antwerp by a Japanese inhabitant: At the Berlin Congress in 1878, Prince Bismarck presented to Lords Beaconsfield and Salisbury, the Japanese Minister - a small man, on whose shoulders he laid his heavy hand, saying: "I introduce you to Tom Thumb, sent here by other Tom Thumbs; but he will not lack some sleeping giant to make him put on seven-league boots, and he will grow. I assure you.
The growth of the Japanese Empire as we all know, caused a major upheaval in the Pacific in the late 1930's, culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, which brought the USA into World War II, and as a result had a great impact on the outcome of the war with Germany.
This news item alone is very far sighted, given that it dates back to 1878, however doing more research on Count Otto Von Bismarck, it seems that this is not the only prophetic remark that he made regarding the world wars.
Another article, this time from the New York Times on 4th April 1922, refers to another prophecy by Otto Von Bismarck, which was previously unpublished (as of 1922), and which was made in a letter to the Prussian Minister for War, on 24th December 1886.
If God wills that we shall be defeated in the next war, then there can be no doubt that our victorious opponents will halt at no expedient to prevent us from getting on our feet again, as least not for a generation, just as they did in 1807.
The prophecy of course refers to the First World War, 1914-1918, where Germany was defeated, and under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, signed by Germany on 28th June 1919, the German army was limited to a maximum of 100,000 men, and a ban placed upon the use of heavy artillery, gas, tanks and aircraft. The German navy was similarly restricted to shipping under 10,000 tons, with a ban on submarines.
It makes you wonder doesn't it.
Was Count Otto Von Bismarck just a clever man with a deep insight into the long term plans for Germany as a nation that was recently united into one and lying in the center of Western Europe, realizing that sooner or later Germany would need to expand, and that potential enemies lay both to the east and the west.
Did he also read into the arrogance and attitude of the Japanese Minister something that foretold that the Japanese Empire would at some future date be expanding along similar lines.
Was Count Otto Von Bismarck just a very wise individual, or did he really see into the future?
Sources:
Published by Tony Payne
Tony Payne is a freelance writer who lives on the South Coast of England with his wife Debbie. He has worked in the IT Industry all his life, and has been writing on various sites for the last 10 years. T... View profile
- World War II Descriptive Timeline. Eve of World War II In 1931 Japan attacked Manchuria and pounding the Chinese defense. Italy started to attack Ethiopia, while Germany, where Hitler organized Nazis, undertook a large rearmament.
Is it Murder to Kill the New York Times?Everyone sick and tired of all their arrogant spin, fit to print, can now join the forces working against against the future sustainability of the New York Times. Join the info...- U2's Bono Signs Writing Deal with the New York TimesLong known for its coverage of the arts and sciences, business, real estate, economics, the New York Times, the worlds most powerful newspaper, has a long-standing practice of inviting the well-known and well-regarded...
- Differences in American Foreign Policy After World War I and World War IIThe American foreign policy vastly differed after World War I and World War II; however, foreign policy in one age would not work the same way in the next.
Are We Headed for World War III?Will there be a World War III soon? I think so and here is why.
- Great Moments in Stupidity: The French Revolution of 1871
- The Economic Aspect of Japanese Colonialism in Korea
- Baby Boomers Expected to Bust Social Security
- Early Japanese Imperialism: From Meiji to Manchukuo
- Strange and Obscure Methods for Telling the Future
- Corey Lidle Told the New York Times that His Cirrus SR20 Plane was Safe
- Who Started World War I?
17 Comments
Post a CommentI'm with Patricia.
History always repeats itself, and I think that's just what Bismarck was foreseeing.
Intriguing piece of work.
Interesting to ponder.
Tony, We can base our views on certain trends; there are some futurologists around all the time. But what Bismarck foresaw looks remarkable indeed. Now there are many imponderables,and we require great wisdom to prevent another world war. Our innings is still too short compared to others! siva
Certainly a fascinating find, Tony. It makes you wonder doesn't it? cheers :) Thanks for sharing this.
good write up, indeed, very interesting!
It's great to look through old newspapers. So much fun now that they are digitized too.
Interesting! The Germans have had such great scientists, musicians, and authors, it is amazing what the country could have been if not for some overly aggressive leaders!
very interesting Tony