The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-04-13
MONROE, LOUISIANA, SATURDAY. APRIL l3
The French Arms Sales,

The following is the extract from tho
Nord Dcutsche Allgemeine Zeitung
Of Berlin, the semi-otticial organ OF
! the Government, which Mr.. Schur2
! read to the Senate Investigating Com.
mittee on Friday last:
"The last mail from the United
States has brought us an account OF the
acrimonious debate that has taken
place in the American Senate ut Wash
ington, on the motion of Senator SUM-
ner, Il distinguished member of that
body, demanding an investigating of
the sales Of muskets and cartridges by
the Government of the United States
to certain persons, who afteward turn
ed out to be agents from the French
government, during the war between
Germany and France.
HSome of last evenings papers have
commented upon this account in n
manner that would seem to call for an
explanation on the part of the Impe-
rial government. We believe we are
we'll informed when we say that our
government takes no interest, or ut the
most only negative one, in the ques-
tiOn which Mr.. Sumner has brought
before the American Senate.
"When the fact of these sales, during
the war, was brought to the notice of
our Department of Foreign Affairs, Il
thorough investigation of the subject
took place, and our Government ar
rived at the conclusion that it would
not be justified in complaining of the
course pursued by the authorities of the
United States in reference to this affair.
Irregularities, such as were alluded to
during the recent debate in the Ameri-
can Senate, have undoubtedly occurred;
but they were certainly not important
enough to be regarded as violations of
international courtesy, much less of
fragrant breaches of neutrality. No
complaints We're addressed, in conse-
quence, by our Government to the
Cabinet of Washington at the time
when the transaction in question took
place, and none will be made now, es-
pecially as the Government of Prcsi-
dent Grant has uniformly conducted it.
self toward this country in IL manner
so friendly and upright that the rela-
tions of the two Governments have
been, and arc. now, of the most cordial
nature.
s'There are two other points which
should not bc overlooked in forming
an opinion upon the question brought
up by Senator Summer. That gentle
man during the war took sides with
France, and delivered elaborate ud-
dresses, full of very hostile sentiments
toward this Government. His present
course we have no reason to believe to
be dedicated by fricndilcr feelings to-
ward Germany.
"Mr. Summer is, moreover, Il decided
enemy Of the present administration
of the United States. On account of
his unfriendliness toward President
Grant he had to he deprived of the in
huential position of chairman of the
Senate committee on foreign affairs,
and his present movement is again
intended to prejudice the American
people against the President. The
Presidential election takes place next
fall in the United States, and every
thing is brought forward to prevent
his present position.
GA French agent, the Marquis de
Chambrun, seems to be mixed up with
this affair. 1t is but natural that the
French people and their government
should be cnraGcd at the uncXamplcd
Nenality and rapacity of their agents
during the war. Consul Victor Place
who had his dishonest hands likewise
in this American business, was but Il
type of the French Scoundrels who
made money out ofthc terrible distress
St.s of their cOuntry.''
1t is to be feared that this authorita-
fort to the "l.iberap' camp.