The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-01-18

made of the main points contained in the Impe
rial vlndcatlon of the capitulation Of Sedan.
now relate the no less interesting explanations
given to Mons. Tachard, an envoy Of the French
Republic at Brussels by the mysterious ndivid-
ual who. under the name of Regnier. went for
General Bourbaki. who was at Metz with the
view of taking him to the Empress Eugenia, in
England, for certain political purposes. Regnier
called in the early part of November on Mons
Tachard, in order 70 exonerate himself as be
said, of the charge that he had played the part
of a Prussian agent in that intrigue. He is an
old man, of gentlemanly and prepossessing ap-
pearance, of a cultivated mind. rather inclined to
mysticism. According to his version Of the af-
fair, it was q spontaneous and patriotic idea
which he had conceived for putting an end to the
war by re-establishing the Empire, for the sake
of the Prince Imperial, under the regency of
either the Empress, his mother, or of Marshal
Bazaine, whose army was to leave Metz, with the
consent of Prussia. and go into camp in neu-
tralized province. where would be convoked and
assembled the old legislative bodies, or Con
sttuante." to agree upon and sign terms of peace.
This plan being in his mind, and starting from
the conviction that Prussia. at that time. was
almost as desirous as France herself of speedy
termination of hostilities equally ruinous to both
parties, Regnier asksd an audience from Count
Won Bismarck. who unhestatingy entered into
his views, and gave him the necessary passports
for Metz and England. Having solicited and OBJ
m wit tha
laid his plans before her for consideration but
she evinced decidedly marked disapproval of the
whole matter Baffled in that quarter he enter
prisirg politician addressed himself to Marshal
Bazaine who did not show the same reluctance
but encouraged him in his ldea and sent at his
request, the renowned General Bourbaki, one of
the former favorites of the TuiIeries, to try to
convince Her Majesty of the feasibility and op-
portunity for making peace. But 10 the mean
while reflection had only increased the aversion
Of the noble exile to the scheme. and the conse-
quence was that General Bourbaki, who was
not fayorably disposed towards Regnier, met
with complete failure in the mission confded
to him by his Commander-in- Chief and which he
had unwillingly accepted In no way daunted by
this unfavorable turn of circumstances, Regnler
left General Bourbaki, and repaired to Count
Won Bismarck. and finally managed to establish
direct communication between the Prussian Min
lister and Marshal Bazaine. The object to be
gained was to re-constitute the Empire and a
Regency, without the assistance Of the Empress
The scheme was not without many great diff
culties, and 1t took long time before it was
falriy started. The greatest obstacle was that.
although Bazane WIS willing to agree to coud-
tions Of surrender for his own army he persist
emily declined to enter into any arrangement that
included the garrison Of Metz, which would have
continued to defend the city. On the other
hand General Won MoItke and Prince Frederick
Charles, Commander of the German troops be-
fore Metz,) insisted that the city should capitu-
late before allowing the army of Bazaine to |
leave. In the midst of these complications Mr.. |
Won Bismarck. who, it appears. was really anxious
to terminate the sad struggle, persuaded the
King Of Prussia to accept Marshal Bazaine's
proposals. But at the moment when everything
seemed to be satisfactorily settled the plan was
frustrated by telegraphic error Mr.. Won Bis
marck had ;elegraphed to Bazane: See Prince
Frederick Charles, and he will let you pass with
the army which is under Metz" But the tele-
gram delivered to Bazaine read, with the army
in Metz" Nor Bazaine exclaimed " | will
not surrender place still having provisions and
ammunition enough to defend ITSELF" and he dis
missed Prince Frederick Charles messenger who
seemed pleased at this turn in the affair, which
led Regnier to suppose that the Prince might
have Intentionally altered the sense of Mr.. Won
Bismarck's telegram, in order to gain the honor
Of forcing Bazaine to capitulate- This honor he
acquired soon after for Bazaine was obliged to
surrender forced thereto partly by necessity and
partly with the view Of preserving the lives Of
his soldiers. that they might, at the end of the
war be restored to their country
Regnier. with bis ardent desire of restoring
peace at whatever cost, formed the project Of
obtaining from Prussia the return Of a sufficient
number Of prisoners TO establish Regency in
some part Of France For this purpose be went
to Wiihelmshohe but was unsuccessful 10 his at
sempts to gam an audience with the Emperor.
and from thence returned to VI. Iachard, to in .
form that gentleman Of his second failure decar-
ing. at the same time. that it opened his eyes to
The truth. and that be should hereafter adhere )
more closely to the Republican feelings which be
lad cherished ror many years, but which. during
he last few years, he bad put aside. as the In
oeriaI form Of government seemed to rsaI.ze the
'est form Of government for Francs. Mons
Ischzrd thanked the worthy citizen for bis prof
cred services. and before be left was made ne-
luainted with the several incidents Of the strange
dsenture, the truth Of which Was sustained by
riginal letters and other reliable vouchers The
ull particulars Of this episode will soon be pub
shed but am pleased thus 10 be able to give
ou an outline Of the daring scheme a
These interesting particulars explain, 70 GER /,
ain degree, Marshal Bazaine's conduct, and also