The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-05
The Cxar aud the Empress Eugenie.

The true and complete history of the fall of
the French empire remains yet TO be writ
ten. In the meantime our special despatch
from London will be found valuable con-
tribution to the material of the future
historian. 1t gives highly interesting
revelation-one that perhaps comes to day
light for the first time in these columns.
When France, after the surrender Of Sedan,
lay PROSTATE at the feet Of the conqueror, the
Emperor of Russia was about to step in and
say to the comprehension, so far and
no further In despatch addressed to the
Empress, after the disaster of Sedan, the
Gear offered to intervene on the basis of the
integrity Of French territory. He at the same
time addressed himself to the Emperor VIII
liam--that was to be-whom he earnestly re-
because Europe-meaning Russia-would
not permit the disintegraton of France.
But the revolution of September broke
out ere the Empress-Regent had time
to reply to the despatch of the Gar.
History knows that she was forced to make q
hasty exit by the back stairs of the Tuileries,
leaving behind her the key to the skeleton OF
the imperial closet, in the shape Of bundle
of papers which have since been duly labelled
and published as the secret papers of the
empire
The Emperor Alexander was willing enough
to prop up falling monarchy or empire, but
he had nothing to say to the republic. ''The
peace Of Europe" he told the King of Prussia,
would be endangered by the dsintegration Of
France; !" but it would be still more endangered,
he probably thought, by the gentlemen of the
pavement" So the Car told the King of
Prussia to continue his cOnquests. NJ Theirs
went on begging tour to the Cabinets
of Europe; but all in vain, for none of them
would have anything to do with the republic.
Besides the desire of helping falling brother
monarch, the Emperor Alexander had, per-
haps, another object in view He probably
did not think that England would be
so accommodating in the Bosphorus
business as she afterwards proved to be,
aud he might have deemed it good policy to
lay France under obligations and thus to Sc
cure her cooperation in the East.
The secret papers of the empire, we said,
have been published. But not all. Jules
Favre and his colleagues Of the Government
of National Defence, it seems, withheld the
despatch of the Gar. Perhaps they did right
to keep back what might have been feather
in the cap of the fallen Bonapartes Roche
fort, the Bombastes Furioso of the late Paris
Commune, then formed part Of the Govern
mcnt of National Defence, and it has
been rumored that he knows one or
two secrets worth knowing, Alexanders
despatch, perhaps, among the number.
Some people have said that his trial has been
indefinitely postponed or that it will never
take place, because he might reveal things
which it is for the interest of the late Govern
ment of National Defence to keep unknown.
The present revelation comes too late in the
day to revive the dropping prospects Of the
imperialists, but it will be their standing boast
that France might have been spared the loss
Of territory, the additional loss of blood and
treasure. and, last Of all, the horrors of the
Commune, if she had remained true to the
Bonapartes.