The New York herald., 1877-12-26


lish and Belgian governments.
MR. LUxLEY's VIEWS
'What do you think OF the situaton?n asked our
ex-lunctionary Of the British Minister
Mr. LuhLEr-The Germans have just made their
first step In advance in Belgium. The forts which
arc about 10 be constructed their work. II vas
they who demanded them where they are ana such as
they are. Morally speaking they have almost right
TO consider thom as belonging to them.
Count M-You say it is the first step. Is 1t likely
that they will take others?
Mr.. LuMLEY-Assuredly Unless blind use tho nm
jorty OF the Begians whom tho matter, however di-
rcctIy concerns, IL is easy that the Germans
trace the boundaries or the territory they cove
that to say, tho entire Flemish portion OF the coun
try
Count M-And what will become of the remainder? i?
Mr. LuMLEY-The Germans Will probably sell il TO
france tor five or ten billiards OF irancs They might
give them At the tmo a small portion OF Lorraine
OF which they have need.
Count M.-Ten milliards! How you are exagger"
ating. II remains to be seen whcshcr the French
you'd accept the bargain.
Mr.. LuMLEy-Thcy would do 80 joyfulIy and would
shout ''v,ve Bismarck - in the streets OF Paris.
Count M.-what would England dor
Mr. LrMLEy-She would oppose tho realization OF
the project
Count M-How?
Mr.. LuxLEy-ln the best way she could.
Count M.-WDat s the role that England is actually
playing in the Belgian expedition into centre OF
Africa?
Mr. LUALEY-You must ask tho King about that II
was nc who obtained the English vessels without tho
matter passing through my hands, considered
personal affair.
GENERAL MAJOR DER sMissEN.
Van Der Smssen, the aide -de-camp Of the King
and formerly commander OF tho Belgian Legion
In Mexico, is about nfty-nvc years OF age, a
bachelor, handsome and Grave soldier, and tho
only ono of the Belgian generals who has been
dnder fre His conduct in Mexico obtained for
HIM, among othor honors, the OF officer OF
the Legion OF Honor, with signal Endorsement OF
his bravery. Son OF a general of the Same name he
was appointed souseutenant in 1S41, ON quitting
the Infantry School With the No. !. just at the
moment when his father was condemned to death for
treason. Finding his position false one he hastened
to demand OF the French government permission
TO mako campaign in Africa. His conduct thcro
was such that his return 10 Belgium ho
found favor and Advancement II is General Van Der
Smissen who In ol war; will be called upon take
command OF tho Belgian army He Is, therefore, a
convert to the Prussian deus which seek an increase
In it's effective strength, but at the bottom Of his
heart his sympathies with France where he has
preserved numerous and close relations with the
Van Der Smissen is sharp Intelligent and we'll in
structed. sk!ltul in turning every thing in
campaign. an accomplished gentleman, a great sports
man aud first rate shot. much so in factttat at
twelve PAGES he can Are pistol ball through The
mouth OF bottle whlc lying down without breaking
anything but its bottom, thus proving the clean
passage Of the projectilc through It's neck.
THE GENERAL TALKS
sAmong those who surround tho King" remarked
cx-functionary to General Van Der Smissen 1you
are the one who has tho least share in the heavy
movements of reorganization which are In progress
General VAN DER SMIssES-It is true. They arc oc-
cupylng themselves too much with the scenery and
not sufficiently with the actors. Everything that is
obtained in tho way of monoy passes into forta-
cations and mdtfricl, and yet there other things
equally pressing = might be by our mobiliza-
tion In 1870 that we had everything to learn ana on
the other hand know personally that tho Belgian
makes an excellent soldier. I have seen him at work
in Mexico II looks II they did not get out
o. him all that he is capable or
Count M-ourine the war Of 1870 it tho generals
who showed themselves inferior TO their work. Thcy
wanted experience and the generals you cx-
cepted, have made a campaign, cannot have more
than their predecessors.
General VAN DER SMssEN-No but they arc bettcr
instructed, which is something But that Will not
them much for nothing Is being done. and to-
morrow, If we obliged to enter the Gcld
ter against what enemy we should exhibit confu-
all the shameful from the fact that we have
had plenty OF time to avoid it.
Count M-And yet the Germans demand O reor
gnnization9
General VAN DaR SNIssKN-It Is true, but the mon
who have tho direction to this point devoid of
patriotism that sooner than allow the necessary
credils they would prefer to hand over lhe entire
Ia toll IN nh tho
OF it. This would be for tho Belgian generals an
insuppor able humiliation.
Count M.--lt is said that your personal sympathies
are with the Germans2
General VAN DER SMrssEx-I like tho Pfusslan be-
cause of his Incompatible spirit Of discipline. But
am heart and soul French. havs In tho French
army numerous and intimate friends. have not
single ono In that Of Germany.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL BnIALMoyT.
The Inspector General is about nifty.
I've years Of age. Ho is MASSIVE and heavy In appear
ancc and nervous and brusque in manner. He wears
his hair long for soldier and his mustacho long and
thick. lie has Deep penetrating oye and m officer
of exceptional talent and intelligence. Among other
valuable works has written u remarkable life OF
Wellington. Son oil general who made tho wars OF
the Empire, he left the Belgian military school with
tho No. l. While lieutenant OF engineers ho
retired from active service under n
Catholic Ministry for having refused to con-
duct his men to Sunday. Notwithstanding
that he has made his way rapidly, for his comrades
'!bc most quickly promoted stnl only colonels
General Briamont married tho daughter Of a we'll
known Belgian patriot named DC Potter who ssme
forty years ago took the Of modern FREQ
Thinkers By refusing TO allow his children be bap-
tized. The General is tho author Of tho plan Of the
famous forti1cations OF Antwerp, tho first that wero
erected after the discovery Of tho long 10
be gwen to He profits by the crisis produced by
tho German demands to obtain much as possible to
sxpend tho fortincations Tho General appears to
occupy himself with very little else, especially since
his WHO'S death, which has furnished him with the
motive Of philosophical work about to be published,
and which Will treat Of the misfortuncs OF life He Is
vcry iond OF the seaside and frequently rctires to
Newport, where he has a small property. He admres
he Prussians as organizers, but his enthusiasm re-
yard TO them stops there He resides at Brussels In