The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-09-17
The Meeting Between bismarck
and the Emperor.

LONDON, Sept. 6.-Dr. Russell writes
to the Times from Sedan on the Sd, as
follows: When the Emperor, who had
passed the weary hours of night. looked
out i'll early morning he behel1 a forest
of steel and the bill tops with batteries,
posted on every eulnerce, cavalry on
all the plains, and as far as the eye
could reach Il host OF enbattled Germans.
His decision was taken. At last. atten-
ded by few offlis staff ON horseback,
his Majesty proceeded along the road
from Sedan iu a brougham. Count Bis
marck was i'll bed at quarters at Donr-
berg, where an officer rushed in and an
nounced that the Emperor was coming
to meet him and see the King. Count
Bismarck rose, dressed hastily and has
tened to meet the Emperor He was in
time to stop the cortege outside the town.
| was away on the field, and therefore
cannot of my own personal knowledge,
state what occurred. AS his Majesty
alighted, I hear, Bismarck uncovered
his head, and stood without his cap,
and on sign Or request from the I'm
peror to put it on the Count, replied,
" Sire | receive your Majesty as |
would my own royal master" There
happened to be near the place where
the Interview occurred, a few hundred
ya.ds outside of the squalid town of
Douchery, the humble cottage of hand
loom weaver Of which there arc num-
bers around Sedan. Bismarck led the
way and entered it. The room was not
inviting. The great Count walked up
stairs. The apartment was filled by the
hand-loom and appliances of the weaver.
So he descended and found the Emperor
sitting on stone outside.- Two chairs
were brought out of the cottage, the
Emperor sat down in one, and Bismarck
took the othor and placed it Oh his Ma
iesty's left hand side. The officers in
attendance on their fallen master lay
down some distance away on a small
plot of grass in front Of the cottage.
The conversation was strange one, and
as Count Bismarck has repeated it free.
ly or the principal part of it, no doubt
it will be known and remain forever as
history. The great point to be gained
was peace, but so far as his Majesty was
concerned no assurance of it could be
obtained by Bismarck. The Emperor
stated that he had no power, could not
negotiate peace. could not give orders
to the army, nor Marshal Bazaine.
The Empress was regent of France, and
on her and her Ministers must devolve
negotiations. So Bismarck thereupon re-
marked that it was of no avail to hold fur
ther conversation on political matters
with his Majesty, and it would be of no
use to see the King. The Emperor
desired to see the King in person, but
Bismack declared it impossible to ac-
cede to his Majesty's wishes until capit-
ulations had been sigDed. Then, as the
conversation was becoming rather 4 an
gerous, and as the situation was besbm-
| ing difficult on both sides, he ended it
and the interview terminated Count
Bismarck went to see the King. The
Emperor withdrew to consult his pficers
Louis Napoleon and King VIII
About 2 O'Clock the King, with a
body guard and escort of cuirassiers
| attended by the Crown Prince and
staff of general officers, proceeded to a
chauteau outside of Sedan, and received
the Emperor, who came with his. per.
sonal followers and staff, in charge Of
an escort, which ranged on the other
side Of the avenue facing the cuirassiers
The King and captive retired into the
glass house of one of the saloons Of the
drawing room floor. and they could be seen
by the staff outside engaged in earnest
dialogue. After an interview with the
King, the Emperor had a few moments
conversation with the Grown Prince
during which time he was much agita
ted, when alluding to the manner of the
King. He great anxiety seemed moi
to be exhibited TO his own soldiers
The result was however, that his Ma
jesty wishing to avoid ono mischief was
exposed to great humiliation, for his
| course had to be altered to avoid Sedan
and thus he had to pass through tht
lines OF the Prussian army.
Alleged Reason for the Surren.
- der.
| Letters from Sedan state that insub
ordination in the French army before
the surrender was so great its officers
lives were in danger and the Empero
was insulted, and capitulation was ne
cessary to his personal safety.