The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-19
Belgium, France, and Germany.

The annexation of Belgium by France IA
one OF those spectres which constantly ait
aososs the peace Of Europe. Every con-
ty concsrs in making the Frenchman look
with longing eyes towards the little State
on his north-west frontier. Beloium is q
land flowing with milk and honey. rich in
her commerce and her factories, in her
noe and her herds, the very garden, as it
is inhabited by race which in the main ia
French in blood, language and ideas.
Twice within hundred years has Belgium
been the prise of French arms, and no dis
astsrs clouded the latter years of the great
Napoleon and the great Louis with . more
poignant anguish than the loss Of their
though it greatly shocked Europe, when.
at the commencement of the war, Ii. Bis.
narck made public draft treaty communi-
Gated to him by the French Ambassador in
Berlin, NJ. Benedict, according to the
terms Of which France Was to connive at.
latter country was to permit, If not to aid,
France in obtaining possession of Belgium.
The "Secret Treaty" had scarcely attract
ed general attention for e week when its
interest was merged in the thunders of the
great battle6elds Of the war. Now, how
passed away, the strife of diplomatists has
been renewed, and n. Bismarck and N.
Benedict have engaged in a paper war. M.
Bismarck says that France asked Germany
to permit her to annex Belgium. N. Bene-
detti replies that it was Germany offered
Belgium to France; and hence the dispute
between these eminent diplomatists. The =
latest fact in the contest is the publication =
In the German official journals of state
ment in answer to M. Bsnedetti's recently
published book. This communication
states that the question of the annexation
nj Anok u
letters addressed by the Cabinet of YER
sailles to that Of Berlin, in August, 1866.
According to the story told by the Berlin
paper, In that year o PROFIT de trdite was
unlimited through NJ. Benedetti| to M
According to the terms of this
aocument Prussia and France were to en-.
'er into an alliance offensive and defensive.
while, as to territorial arrangements, Prus-
W was to seize Luxembourg, then the
of the King Of Holland, and to.
ecelve from France Ssarlouis and Landau.
france, on the other hand, being permitted
Q annex Belgium. During the progress Of
ne negotiations Count Bismarck was
y which attack him whenever it is conye.
'iept that he should leave Berlin, and the
esule was that the negotiations wero post
.oned til the following year. In 1867, SO,
~, ana "O, the same game of cross pur-
'oses went on, NJ. Benedict, continually
~S6So'S no" aTEhnSenenCe, III. bl6m8rck
aimly delaying, parrying, putting off the
nal settlement. That the ex-Emperor
roposed to annex Belgium there can be
o doubt; that Bismarck pretended he
,ouid consent is equally certain. In point
morality both parties appear to be
qua'y guilty, but as to astuteness the
aim lay entirely with the German. The
x-Emperor and his Corsican diplomatist
ere completely outwitted. Bismarck
ever had an idea of permitting France 20.
cquire the vast addition of strength, popu.
'tion and wealth involved In the annexa-
on OF Belgium. He played with Bene-
ETH as cat does with q monse. He per
Itted the French Ambassador to lull him
'if and bis master into fancied security.
chewing the annexation of Belgium was
ere question of price. In the meantime
ismarck perfected in silence those won
erf9l military arrangements which en-
oied him to bring the whole manhood of
russia into the field. At last the hour
me, sll was ready, Bismarck flung of the
ask, and told Benedict plainly that If his
aster wanted Belgium he should win IL
the sword. The whole world knows the
quel. France, outwitted in the Cabinet.
as vanquished in the field, and the seeds
an undying hatred were sown betwcan
@ two greatest nations of the Continents.
freeman.