Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-16
A DISCREDITABLE AFFAIR.

The Causes which Led to Baron &c.
irOIt's Resignation Bismarck and
Minister Bancroft Both HOaxed.
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial
WASHINGTON, July l2.-The cause
which led to the removal of the most popu-
lar German Minister who ever set foot in
Washington have just been developed here
to the no small discredit'of one of the most
trusted representatives of theGrant admins
tration. The Baron, it will be remem-
bered, came to this country in 1916,
and from that time to his removal,
especially through the rebellion,
gave the most substantial evidence of his
own friendship as well as of the country
which he represented, for the American
people. In the midst of the Franco Ger
man war the Baron becoming convinced
that the administration was hardly OBJ.
serving its neutral obligations with refer
ence to the sales Of military stores to the
benigerents, wrote friendly notice to Ban
croft Davis observing that according to his
information the French were allowed too
much facility in the purchase of arms in
this country. - ----------
Davis wrote a most cruel and insulting
reply thereto, to which the Baron immedi-
ately took exception. The latter went to
Secretary Fish with the letter and asked
what it meant. The Secretary with bland
ness which never deserts him, assure the
Baron that he need pay no attention to the
insulting mssive, and that Davis was act
ing merely in a clerical capacity, and was
beneath the dignity of his just indignation.
This conciliated the Baron and he paid
no further attention to the matter. -.
A very short time after this unpleasant
ness, Baron Gerolt received a telegram from
Bismarck. reprimanding him from his con-
duct toward the American officials at
Washington, and more especially for his I'M
friendliness to the Grant administration.
Without even replying to this telegram,
or even asking for an explanation to it, the
BaIon at once rendered his resignation,
which was speedily accepted. --.-
| When the Baron returned to Berlin, cir
cilmstances occurred which led him TO ask
an explanation for the censure given him by
Bismarck. The latter then put the Baron
ID possession of various communications
made to himself by Minister Bancroft,
wherein the Baron was declared to, be hos
tile to Grants Administration, and on uu-
friendly terms with the majority Of the
members of the American Cabinet.
Fortified by letters from some of the
most prominent Republicans in this coun-
try, and more particularly by his own state
ments, Bismarck was soon convinced that
he had been badly imposed upon, and that
both himself an dGerolt had been made the
victims of cunning and disgraceful in
trigue. Bismarck was very indignant and
demanded an explanation from Bancroft.
In the explanation which followed, it sp
peared that Minister Bancroft had been inn
posed upon by communications from his
nephew, Bancroft Davis, and that upon
these statements be had made his own re-
presentations to Bismarck, supposing them
to be of official origin. SO it would seem
that the French arms spectators had a
more potent influence upon the Adninistra-
tion than even yet it has received credit for.