New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-20
! THE ExILED EMPEROR. II
Blauton. .Duncan.s interview.
,From the New York World.


European events. Some of the results of
his observations are told in the subjOined
.report of conversation which he had with
one of our reporters:
aWell, Colonel, it is understood that you
have visited the Emperor Napoleon at
Chilsahurst, and the World is anxious to OBJ
tain from You any recollection OF your rela-
lions with him which may bcrepeated."
81 can not tell YOU much without violating
the eourteries of private life. You of course
see that it would he highly improper TO re-
peat any matters l heard in this converse
ton which it is understood, presume, was
entirely private
.sOf course; still, there are many impress.
sions which you have doubtless formed
which there is no indelicacy in relating of
a public person. Is the Emperors health
satisfactory at present.
.sYes. He appeared to be in excellent
health. and quite cheerful. He was on a
Yachting excursion with me, and while on
board the yacht he moved about observing
everything, and enjoyed himself quite as
much as any of the party-perhaps more
so"'
SIS he in good spirits Doyou think hin;
detected at his reverse of fortune ~
.sHe is in fair spirits, and quite hopeful.
i do not think that he is much disturbed at
the loss. of his position, and doubtless
neither he nor the Empress would care to
regain it, were it not for their son. 1, The in
gratitude of many of those who ought to
have been their friends has inclined them
personally moro and more to private life"
.'What hopes are entertained of their re-
storation? Is il not believed that the Napo-
leonic game is up?"
mot at all Shortly before left London
/ dinetl with member OF the imperial fam
ily. who explained to me some OF the views
which are now held by the impellallsts. 1t
taIn hG
government will be restored. France has
but two parties. the imperialist and the red
republicans. The Bourbons are nowhere.
Eyewthing looks favorable for d restOra-
ton of the imperial power. The govern
ments of Europe are in favor OF 1t, tor they
see that the disturbed condition otsfrance
is perpetual menace to European order;
and they know that Napoleon was able,
when at the head of affairs, to keep the ele-
ments of disorder under. | have gathered
this impression from many OF the foreign
-diplpmatists whom have met aproad. 1t
is the opinion of our own legation that the
Emperor is likely to be restored, and that 1t
would be popular with the European poten-
tates"
''But do not the imperialsts recognize
how unpopular the imperial government has
become ~
..Of course; but this unpopularity Will
disappear in the light of the revelations
which M. Duvernois and others are making
of what France lost by overthrowing the
empire after September 4. The result OF the
Russian revelations must be favorable TO
the Emperor, for it is clear that Russia was
ready to interfere in his favor but tor the
dectea7iee. For a hundred other reasons 1t
is but natural to expect strong Revision
of feeling in favor of the empire. The army,
too is strongly in his favor
'What is thought OF the Theirs govern
ment!"
every one sees that that is only a make
shift government and that it can not last
any time. The chief executive is an old
man, and may die at any time. That mo-
ment, if not sooner, France will be plunged
into another civil war"
"You think so! Will this be red war
again. Has Gambetta still retained his
influenced"
HE is still active, and he sides with the
republicans-that is, he will advocate
republic of which the chief will be Leon
Gambetta. We all know what founding a
republic in France means. 1t is, of course
the next thing to founding a dynasty. his
dictatorial conduct just before the surrender
of Paris will be remembered by every one.
He certainly intended a coup d'etGt then
and presume he has not forgotten MS pro-
-ject."
what backing has he 7"
you know there is a schism in the
French army at present. When the old
officers were in prison Gambetta supplied
their places by new men. Now the old men
coming back are disguised to find these in
their places. The veterans are attached to
the empire, the new men to Gambetta.
That is one source of his strength. Of
course he will also be supported by the re-
publicans."
"You suppose, however, that at the final
settling down the Bonapartes will return to
France and to pOwer!"
81 have no doubt Of it. OF course the
Emperor could not return now and attempt
another Boulogne expedition. l saw
Bazaine at Geneva last winter, and he made
this very point. He said that it was i'm
possible for the Emperor to return now TO
put himself at the head of his army and
call for the allegiance of the French. That
is not exactly the way he will return
/" How do the imperialists like BaZalne
and his conduct at Metz ?"
"Well, they think he did all he could. AS
to his fighting at Metz, Gambetta has done
much to discredit him, bot ne believes that
history will set him right, and man of over
sixty, with great wealth, cares little for any
thing else except the verdict of history. He
fought the battle of Gravelotte so as to win
the admiration of the entire Prussian staff
they admit that nothing but their superior
force could have beaten him. AS to his
getting out OF Metz, the feeling now is that
he could not have done SO. Changarnier
has sustained his reputation in that respect"
What about Leb9ufW
<'Well, he is looked upon as a wretched
creature"
ITO return to the imperial family-what
are your impressions of the EmpressW
lit is hardly necessary to observe what
all the world has recogniZed-that she is a
woman of great force of character. She
doubtless feels now that she made mistake
in not allowing Paliako to put down the
riot which developed into the revolution.
He could have done that by shooting down
five or six hundred men. Her health is
good, except, perhaps, occasionally slight
neuralgia affection. She is, of course, older
looking now, and, indeed, so is the Emperor,
.butthey are both in good health and cheer
full"
|'Have they many visitors p
YES The royal family of England visit
them constantly. The Crown Priuee of
Sweden and the Russian Grand Duke re.
Gently in England also visited them. The
nobility to certain extent visit them also,
but the Emperor does not like to receive
too MANY, and restricts his receptions to
those who have been intimate with him
When was at Chiselhurst, Lady Burgoyne
in whose yacht the Emperor came over te
England. was on a visit with his Majesty
Are the Napoleons popular with the PEG
ple! Is there any crushing of gaping crowds
of which it is said the Emperor complains
so strongly that he proposes to leave
England'
Il saw none of it, In fact, on that occasion
20 which have alluded, when the Emperor
accepted my invitation for yachting excur
sion, had an opportunity of judging how
the people felt disposed toward him;
saw they were quite respectful. l sad 70