Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-03-28
The Arms Scandal.

sEMI-OrFICAL COMMENT IN GERMANY.
Senator Sumner has uniformly insisted
that the scope of his inquiry into the
sale of arms to French agents concerned
simply the alleged misconduct of our
own officers, and could not DO ssibly af-
tect our relations with the German gov
ernment. The following article, from
the Nordde"tsche Allgemein Zeitung, of
Berlin, the semi-ofiicial organ Of the I'm
perial government of Germany, is a suf-
ficient answer TO the intimations ofthose
Senators who have con.ended that Mr.
Sumner was working up case for
Prince Bismarck:
The last mail from the United States has
brought us an account of the acrimonious
debate that has taken place In the Ameri-
can Senate at Washington on the motion Of
senator sumner, distinguished member
oI that body, demanding an Investigation
OF TIE sales OF muskets and cartridges Inv
the government of the United States To
certain persons who Afterwards turned ont
To be agents OF the French government
during the war between Germany and
France.
Some OF last evenings papers have COM
mcnted upon this account in a manner that
would seem to call tor an explanation on
the part OF the Imperial government. We
oehe'c we are well Informed when we say
That our government takes no interest ar
Al the most, only negative one in the
question which Mr.. Sumner has brought
before the American Senate
When the fact OF these sales durino tho
DrDnp n ha
partment Of Foreign Affairs, A thorough
investigation Of the subject took place. and
our government arrived at the conclusion
that IL would not be Justified In COMPLAIN
ing OF the course pursued by the authori-
Ties OF the United States In reference Ia
this affair. Irregularities, such A. wer,
alluded to during the recent debate in IN.
American Senate, have undoubtedly oc-
CURED; out they were certainly not i'm
portaht enough 10 be regarded as viola
uohs OF International courtesy much less
as fragrant breaches OF neutrality. No
complaints were addressed, In consequence
BY our government to the Cabinetof wash
iugton at the time when the tran ,actIon, in |
question took place, and none will be made
now, especially as the government of Pres
idcn' Grant has uniformly conducted itself
toward this country In manner so friend.
ly and upright that the relations of the two
governments have been, and are l. ~ of
the most cordial nature
There are two other points which shoulI .
not be overlooked in forming an opinion
upon the question brought up by Senator
sumner That gentleman, during the war.
took sides with France, aud delivered /
elaborate addresses, full OF very hostile
sentiments towards this government. Hi, |
present course We have no reason to b, |
heVe TO be dictated by fricndlier r.eIipps
toward Germany.
Mr- sumner Is, moreover. decided enc /
my OF the present administration of the /
United states. On account Of hi, unfriend- |
Iiness toward President Grant he had TO be |
deprived OF the influential position of
chairman ofthe Senate Committee on For |
cign Affairs, and his present movement is |
again intended 10 prejudice the American
uentIai eircttoti taAts pistv >p'f..,t nI ,rS
United States, and everything is brought /
forward To prevent the continuance of I
President Grant in his present position.
French agent, the Marqui, de Cham /
hrun, seems to be mixed up with this ar /
lair. IL Is but natural that the French /
people and their government should be en- /
ragged at the unexampled venalty and |
rapac!ty OF their agents during the war
Consul Victor Place who had his dishon- /
est hands likewise 10 this American busi- /
ness, was but type OF the French scoun- /
dre!s who made money out OF the terrible 4
distress OF their country