The New York herald., 1872-08-31
LOUIS NAPOLEON.
Interview with Napoleon and Ills Views Re-
gaRding the Imperial Conference.
The Meeting Of the Empercrs-Does It Moan Dam
ger to France 2-Thiers Preparing for War
How the French President Develops
tho Resources Of the Country
What Napoleon Thinks Of
Er. Stanley's Discovery.

brighton august 1s) correspondence OF the Lon
don Telegraph
At a moment when every politician Is speculating
upon the results which may be expected to follow
the meeting shortly to take place at Berlin be-
tween the Emperors OF Germany, Austria and
Russia, it cannot but be very interesting to the
English public to have some idea of the senti-
ments with which thls important event is regarded
by one who not long since was greater than either
whose word was peace or war-whose voice,
according to some, may yet again be the most
powerful In Europe-Napoleon III. During visit
which had the honor or paying His Majesty yes
terday the conversation turned upon this subject,
and, as may be supposed, various opinions were
expressed as to the real object which the three po
tentates-or, rather, perhaps 1t should be said,
Prince Blsmarck-had In view when it
was arranged that they should assemble
in the Prussian capital. Upon one point
those present were agreed-tbat the three
sovereigns did not propose to meet for the mere
exchange OF compliments, but that they had some
high political purpose to accomplish. Nor was
there much difference another pOint-that one
OF the principal endeavors would be to prevent an
immediate quarrel among themselves, so that the
vast bodies OF troops which are being constantly
drilled and the immense ornaments now being
prepared by each OF the three powerful
nations should not he drected-at all events Just
nOw-against either OF the empires represented.
But 1t was thought to be very unlikely that the
Emperors would conflne their deliberations to
these mutual concessions, and that they would not
take into serious consideration the much larger
question how their agreement would affect other
Powers and, above all, the position OF France.
| Our discussion strangely followed the course OF
argument employed in an article recently pub
| lshed in the PAU MnU Gdzstte. Russia IL was re-
marked, If she genuinely and finally gave up
her designs in Eastern Europe, would cease to be
Russia, and the Car who was instrumental In
such surrender would not long remain Czar
For her to give up those designs even In appear
ance Is a very great sacrifice, which must gall her
pride, and which makes the government suspected
ana disllked by the national party. 1t happens
that for different reasons, the three Powers want
at this moment and the same thing But
they want it each TOR different and even opposite
reasons; and this fact is held to be quite
enough to insure that they will not long pursue
their ends in harmony. Russia wants peace that
tlonal policy. Germany wants peace, that she ay
organize her new empire and set France and Rus.
consolidate the empire which Is still left her, op-
pose permanent barrier to the advance of Russia
Pwe may vers w be
that France should not rush into war too soon
since in that case she would have either to see
future ally crushed, or to fight at great dis
advantage. But she can have no desire
that France should he permanently kept down.
be on good terms with Russia so long as she con.
sents not In any way to interfere with their
strong enough to recall this consent Germany and
Austria will not have the Of purchasing 1t of
her Such were the views that prevailed In our
| THE IMPERIAL MEETING AS AFFECTING FRANCE.
Permit me to ask, Sire, said one OF the party,
| may have been anxious that the three Emperors
should meet for the express purpose of HOlating
france an ana GRIPPING ner as much as posslblef,
Emperor, "what the precise object Of their Impe.
rial Majeses may he. II you suspect that the posi-
taken into consideration by the Conference, it is
well you should consider what is the actual condi
there is anything in the conduct OF the government
which might form pretext for Germany to take
any such precautions as those which you imaginen
THEIRS PREPARING FOR WAR.
Sire" observed an English gentleman, to
Germany It must appear almost certainty that
France will never submit to the mislOrtunes which
bcfe her-that she is straining every nerve to re-
venge the insults to which she has been subject
and consequently that the peace professions Of NJ.
Theirs must be valued accordingly"
''words are nothing when they are contradicted
phasis. "when was at the head Of the army NJ.
Thiers was furious Il proposed to spend an extra
franc IT, Yet Tner who declared against
iSse besides which he he has y spen{
| whatever. NJ. Theirs protests that he is all for
! peace: that he desires nothing but peace; that
one object now Is to develop the trade and COM
| merce OF the country. Very well. These are his
words. What do We sec All his acts show that
| he has design OF going to war IN two or three
| years. so much for his professions OF peace. And
how does re propose TO develop the resources of
the country and extend its trade? BY system Of
! protectiOn.n
4 STRONG BELIEF IN FREE TRADE
These words spoken with q decision and
earnesiness which plainly proved how deep was
the interest OF the Emperor in the future OF the
tions he showed how sincere were his wishes on
the subject OF free trade, and how greatly he re-
gretted the retrograde policy of NJ Thiers, who be-
lieves that the way to increase the commercial
prosperity OF nation Is by increasing prohibtive
tariffs.
so LONG AS 1T SUITS THEM
Although the Emperor did not express in def
mite and explicit terms his views upon the general
result OF the ensuing meeting at Berlin, the dis
| tnct impression lett by his words was that any
compact which the three Emperors may make will
last so long as circumstances are favorable and 1t
| ing parties that the agreement shall remain In
force; bnt that when the time for aggression OF de-
| fence shall have arrived, their conduct Will be in
fuenced, not by verbal or written agreements en-
tered into at Berlin, but by the circumstances and
necessities of the hour.
"Wil your Majesty allow me to inquire whether
you regard the approaching conference as danger
Gus to the peace OF Europe f said OF the party.
"As have Observed" was the reply, III have no
special means OF Knowing what Is the precise object
which tner ,,lil Imperial M Maesties may contemplate
dangerous to the peace OF Europe"
THE PAST.
AT this point in the conversation there was a
| general expression Of regret that the Congress to
| consider the unsettled European questions, which
was proposed by the Emperor when at the height
Of his power, did not meet with acceptance by
other leading States, and particularly by England.
In proof OF the determination of the German mill
tary authorities that they would close France in on
every side. and give her no chance OF an advance
on the Rhine, one OF the party drew His Maiesty's
attention to the report which had been published
both In some OF the French and OF the English news
papers that
THE GERMANS WOULD NOT SURRENDER BELFORT.
The Emperor, however, would not credit the
statement III cannot think it," he said. 81 do
not believe the Germans have any intention Of
Keeping the fortress IL is very indiscreet on the
part oI the directors OF the French newspapers to
agitate such question unless 10 was known 10 be
true. some OF the French newspapers, am sorry
to say, are not conducted with SO much common
| sense as the EnElish ncWspapers. AS q general