Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-27
9A STARTLING PROJECT.
Napoleon Nv 10 be Proclaimed En-
perOr, Marry n BohenzO zOlIern and
be Happy-The Price of Peace.

be Happy-The Price OF Peace.
| The Worlds London correspondent
Nsays there has been much going and
looming of late between Chiselhurst,
Brussels. Windsor and Cassel, and he
forwardsTa remarkable letter which has
passed 'betw cen distinguished persons,
whose names he is not permitted to dis
close. This letter reveals project to
end the war, and, to say the least of it, is
quite interesting. Here is the plan:
The gist Of the project is simply to
END the war by reconstruction Of the
French empire in the person not of the
Emperor Napoleon III but of his son.
THE Prince Imperial is to be acknowl-
edged as Emperor by Prussia, England
and Russia, upon the formal abdication
of his father, the Empress being named
as regent during his minority, and 1his
majority being fixed for March, 1874, at
which time he will have attained his
l8th year. Peace with France will
be signed upon the razing of the for
tifcations Of Metz, Toul and Yer
dun, Luxemburg will be annexed to
Prussia as province of Rhenish Prus-
sia. Lorraine will remain absolutely
French. But, Alsace2 Here, now, is
the wonderful point of this most curious
combination, which | ask you to inyesti-
gate at London.a Alsace Is to be de-
clared a free German State, of which
the Princess Charlotte, of Prussia, Oldest
daughter Of the Crown Prince, is to be
declared Grand Duchess. The young
Grand Duchess (she was bora in 1860,
and is now a mere child is to be formally
betrothed'to the Emperor Napoleon ~
I 1t is case" said M. -, to me at
Wilhelmshohe, f'of Anne of Brittany over
again" But we do not live in the age
Of Anne of Brittany so this modern
condition is to go with the betrothal.
Upon the consummation Of the marriage,
which is to occur IN 1875, the people of
Alsace will be called, 10, vote either for
complete annexation to France or for a
separate administratio under customs
union with, France, but with protector
ate of the rights of the Grand Duchess
and Empress vested in the imperial
crown of Germany.
HYou will perceive in all this the spirit
Of 1924. 1t is indeed there, do not
anticipate for the plan, if indeed it be
seriously undertaken, any p-otracted OPP
position from the French, who are in
deed, believe, too far gone, too much
demoralized and broken up to long re-
sist any plan which offers them peace
and some hope of respite Nor yet from
our German people will any objections
proceed. A German empress on the
throne of France, and in England princes
Of German blood ruling, with our from
tier advanced to the heart of Belgium
and of Holland, what should we ask
more. But M .----- frankly owned to
me, and / must say l found reason in
what he said, that some disquiet existed
bothiat Windsor and at Wilhemshohe as
we'll as at Versailles, concerning the
light in which the English people might
view the arrangement. Yet the Queen
has most cordially favored it, and in a
close intimacy with the Empress has
fully embraced and applauded the plan.
This am well assured of; what doubt
more is the attitude of the Queens gov
ernment Consider and examine this
and let us know your views. The En-
peror Napoleonis himself quite well dis
posed, i hear, to the project, but he has
absolutely refused to act at all either in
fhrtherance or in hindrance of it. Bis
,marck regards It, | have reason to be-
lieve, with extreme favor, notwithstand
ing his dislike of the Grown Prince,
with whom it Is said TO have originated
He expressed to q. FREUD of mine at Yer
sailles lately his belief that nothing is
left for the French but to make them
selves the supporters and seconders of
Germany in Europe, and to rely for pub
lie stability upon the crown and arms of
Germany, the oconservators of order
henceforth.'
Perhaps he is not wrong At all
events we are so harrassed and worn
out with this war that who willz not ex-
ultingly accept the remotest promise of
an end to it allY'gA slla aog