The New York herald., 1873-10-31
Graphic Letters from q Herald
Correspondent Detailing
the Closing Scenes.
MANTEUFFEL ON Stills.
The Last German Soldier to Leave the
Soil of France.
THRILLING INCIDENT AT THE CLOSE.

@H %ltg VERDUN, Sept IA, 1873.
arrived at verdun on the afternoon OF the 5th
INST, after unnecessarily tedious journey from
Metz for, although the distance Is, or Is said to be,
enly forty miles, the Prussian train contrved to
take nearly four hours in dong it. slow people,
these Germans. IN civil business, and very method
teal In their manner OF treating it.
Immediately after reached Verdun l went to
zee N. dc st. Waller, French Charge d'Afaires at
the German headquarters, who resides in the
Dishop's palace. ~ ssf aft ri
Ipassed through the quiet streets, the indweers
Of which seemed to be greatly subdued In mind,
for they evidently had learned the imprudence OF
evincing any demonstrative or unwelcome curl
osity with respect to strangers or giving vent to
the wonder which is wont to seize upon country
town at the aspect OF new face They let me go
upon my way silently hardly daring, / think,
even to stranger too narrowly, lest he should
take ofence and turn out to be one or their con-
Querors and that terrible thing an angry man in
authority. Possibly some Of them may have had
20 do with the chief OF the star, who hnted in no
mysterious manner, what o conqueror's wrath can
DO but an hour or two ago, on the Franco. German
frontier at Batilly.
In my wanderings met gentleman with the
red rosette Of an oficer OF Nt En-
THE LEGION OF HONOR t..4
10 one OF his button holes. He had some papers in
his hand, and he bowed to me politely. while he re-
Quested 10 know my business.
al want" said l, Ito see NJ. de St. vallier ! am
acquainted with him and trust that my visit viii
not be unwelcome.n
IL do not think he is at home," answered the
French knight courteousy, "but am the Secre-
tary and can answer any question you may wish
70 put about our present doings here" He was
very gentemany man, that officer OF the Legion
Of Honor, and as handed him my card he was so
good as to remember my name, and, dropping the
oncial style, he spoke to me with that easy famil
larity which belongs to the freemasonry OF office
In dealings between those who are or have been
colleagues in the same service.
ave know n0thing,n he observed, ''absoutely
nothing, OF the German movements or intentions,
and we are expecting their decision with some
anxiety" He would have said more, but door
near to us opened suddenly and another ofncer OF
the Legion Of Honor-a tall slim, aristocratic
gentleman, OF two or three and forty years old
appeared upon the threshold OF stately room,
furnished with faded sort OF splendor, but look
ing bare and comfortless
The tall gentleman, who had dark hair, dark
eyes, and that milo, sober, polished aspect which
marks
A SMOOTH NEGOTIATION,
was M. de st. Waller, hope Of the French Foreign
once In these difficult times.
ness, and minute afterwards we were seated side
by side upon large sofa Of the last century, talk
ing that language Of half meanings which belongs
20 diplomacy, and which sounds so unintelligibe
% unpractsed ears, but is nevertheless plain and
convenient to those who are accustomed to it.
This is what gathered from the French dlplo-
matist, who met my interrogatories most Loyalty
and frankly
.'FIance.n said he, "has no interest in conceal
ing anything She upon her side has honoraDly
fulfilled the conditions OF the treaty OF peace with
Germany, and Germany has done the same.
81 cannot express too highly the esteem and even
the affection with which General Manteurel has
inspired me.
"Our intercourse has been and is in every respect
most satisfactory. have no complaint whatever
20 make against any one OF the German authorities
who have one and all behaved to me with
uniform candor, justice and respect towards the
French nation, whose representative have been
during my ofIlcIal negotiations with them. am
glad TO have the opportunity of saying this dis
tinctly and unequivocally. am, IL possible, more
glad to know that my sentiments upon this subject
will be placed by you before the great
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
whom honor and admire.
''The good feeling at present existing here be-
tween the French and the German Is not confined
50 General Manteune and myself ana to the gen.
uemen attached 70 our personal stafis. believe 1t
70 be much more general than to a cursory observer
It may seem to be. The French gendarmes, who
have just arrived here, are respectfully saluted by
the Prussian solders and our troops, who are
beginning to arrive, receive the usual military
h0nOrs, which are paid to them with q scrupuous
and chivalrOus courtesy.
ssThe last instalment OF the indemnity was paid
At Berlin yesterday It was paid SPECIE according
Hk.no s1tesru of fbo ar
count it is rather tedious business which will
take about four days. il may Judge by precedents
GAS soon as news can be received that the last
franc has been told into the German treasury the
German troops still occupying verdun Will depart.
"An rumors OF delay, or misunderstanding, or
reluctance to fulfil our engagements either upon
the part Of the French or the Germans, are and
have been unfounded There has been no shut
ning no tricks, no double or underhand dealing OF
any kind, pledge you my word OF honor.
'.No, there is absolutely nothing which the French
government, under existing circumstances, might
think it inexpedient to publish in a French jour
nal; or might ask your aid, through the important
Journal you represent, to make 1t known.
'L1 France MA en- qua Sc 0,lea' des dleoadnds
dcputs Ia 0uevre.
II have the inexpresslbe satisfaction OF assuring
you most positively that the last German army of
occupation which remains In France will leave us
win good and friendly feelings, and there is not,
70 the best OF my knowledge aud belef, anything
whatsoever OF recent occurrence whlcnls likely TO
SOW the seed Of qnarreLn
when contrasted M. de St. Waller and M. dc
Benedetti with certain other French diplematists,
whose intimacy and confidence have enioyed,
could hardly believe my ears or my eyes. There
was nothing ntractable or aelEasserting about M.
dc st. valer as there used to be about mostos the
high nobIemen who formerly represented France
IN ncr diplomatic relations with Germany. They
we're delightful hosts and companions, and I
remember that was seldom out OF the Pre- men
Embassy Of an evening when was in Hanover
and Vienna. But when saw either Of the French
Ministers at those courts, during the ofnctal in
tercoursc with the German authorities, they Ger
salnly seemed to bristlc all over with thorns.
THE TOWN or vRRDUN