The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-03-09
Corruption in the Sale of Arms.


ring the late German war has caused
deep sensation throughout the coun.
try, and especially among our German
fellow citizens. The facts upon which
Mr.. Sumner has founded his resolution
were FIRST brought to light by an iuqui
~ which was made in the French Nat
ioual Assembly. 1t appears that the
Remingtons, the well know arms man
utacturers, first sold TO the Freach gov.
ernmeut their whole stock, aud then
bought at auction sales Of the govern
ment a large quantity for sale to France.
by means Of the energetic representa-
tions Of the Prussiau Minister, Baron
Gerolt, who has siuce fallen victim
to this corrupt intrigue, the sale of
government arms to Remington was
stopped, GU the ground that he was au
agent Of the French Republic. From
that time Remington's purchases of
government arms were conducted
through one Richardson aud shipped
to France. The greatest purchases Of
these arms were made after Napoleou's
eapltulation at Sedan aud the fall Of
Metz. These were timely supplies
which enabled tho French to protract
the struggle.
As the result Of a misunderstanding
between the French government and
Remington, Committee of the Nation.
al Assembly for the investigation Of
contracts for war material, has request
ed the government Of the United States
to inquire into the conduct of certain
officials at Washington. While exam
lining corruption at home the committee
came on the scent of great fraud on
this side Of the ocean which has mate.
rally affected the French Treasury. 10
the complete aud lucid statement Of
Mr. Sumner it appears by the report Of
Secretary of War Belknap, that govern.
ment arms to the amount of 0,000,.
900 we're sold 10 1870. by the report
OF the Secretary Of the Treasury ouly
SS,277,l 3l Of this sum reached the
treasury, leaving nearly two millions in
the hands Of official and unofficial oper.
ators. The French government declare
that they paid sll 900 900 10 gold for
these arms. IL will be interesting TO
learn, at the conclusion Of the inquiry.
how much Of these three millions stuck
TO the fingers of the agents of Gambetta
and how much went to their confeder
ates at Washington. 1t was a rare
plumber.
Aside from the glaring official cor
ruption Of this transaction, the worst
fact is that the government workshops
were run to their full capacity in man
ufacturing cartridges for France, because
the arms could not be sold without the
cartridges. This appears from letters
of Remington and from communica.
ion Of the Secretary Of War to the sec.
rotary of State. 1t is the most shame
fol of all the facts presented by Mr..
Sumner. Had the government of the
United States been an open aud ayowed
ally Of France il could not have inflicted
a deeper injury on the Germtn cause.
To our German fellow citizens the ex.
posure is peculiarly painful While
the war in Europe was progressing the
Germans in this country were assured
Of the sympathy of Grants administra
ton for their Fatherland. But at the
time these benevolent expressions we're
uttered the manufacture Of cartridges
and the sales Of arms we're going on
which protracied the war aud caused
the sacrifice Of thousands Of lives, aud
an enormous additional cost for iudem
nifty to the French treasury If an ap
peal was veotured in behalf Of the pool
French republic struggling in the grasy
OF giant, IL was drowned by roars O
applause for Germany But Francs
got the arms to carry on the war aftel
the downlall Of Metz, and Prussia go
the sympathy. Grant sent letter o.
coagratulation to the German Emperor
while the government workshops wer;
pouring out cartridges, aud the corrupt
agerts Of the administration we're sell
log the weapons to deal death into The
faces Of the Einperor's soldiers.
This revelation made by Mr. Sumner
while exposing the fagitious corruption
which pervades the present admiuistra
ton, also forms a rare commentary OF
the demand which this government i,
making of England at Geneva for VIC
lated neutrality. How will il be wher
Bismarck comes with his little bill iul
remote and consequential damages ari
sing from the sale Of these arms On,
Of the demands against England is fol
prolonging the war Of the rebellion b.
permitting the escape Of the Alabami
aud other confederate cruisers. In th,
midst of the discussion Of the Washing
tou treaty on both sides of the waite
comes this exposure to illustrate Thu
claim for constructive damages preseu
ted by the Commissioners OF the Unite,
States. Ifthis government can deinan,
consequential damages for prolongaiiol
of the late war By Confederate cruisers
that demand will be a measure Of I'll,
claim of Prussia for the violation 0
neutrality and the sale of arms whicl
protracted the war with France 70
many months after the collapse Of Loui
Napoleon's empire at Sedan If such
claim is worthy of the consideration o
the Geneva conference. Bismarck ma
as well bring in his little bill, and le
all the claims be settled together
Harrisburg Patriot.
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