The New York herald., 1879-09-08
IMPERIALISM IN FRANCE.

lMPERlALlSM In FRANCE.
PRINCE JEROME NAPOLEON ON IMPERIAL PROS
PECTs-HE SPEAKS TO A FRIEND-How THE
PRINCE WOULD GAIN THE COUNTRY
Paris correspondence of the London Standard.
/ PARIS August 25. lS79
The Figaro has started new feature In journalism
which leaves all the contrivances Of the old school
of interviewing reporters far behind. gets hold
of friend of the person whose opinions and in
entions to things in general may be supposed to
have interest for the public. The friend closely
questioned. generally without being himself aware Of
the purpose to which his indscretion be turned
According to the Figaro Prince Napoleon began
by explaining why he left Chiselhurst without pay
ing his respects to the Empress when he went over
with his to attend the funeral Of his cousin.
He said:-"It was not to family gathering that
summoned, but to dynastic conference in
which it was meant should play ridiculous part"
The Prince then proceeded to mention the reasons
which, on his return to France, deferred him from
any assertion OF his claims to the imperial success
sion -"In the first place wish to remain in France
and must tell you that in my opinion the moment
I set up as pretender acted such, should be
in state of revolt against the government Of the
Republic and 1t would be not only its right but its
bounden duty to expel me from the country"
NOT A COWARD.
Here the interviewer told the Prince that what
ever he might think. the party was in state of
great disorganization. He added. moreover, that
the Prince unpopular with every class in the
country, with the people aud with the army; that
he lacked the prestige OF military glory and that
he had the reputation of fearing the smell of gun
powder. The Prince retorted with some vivscty
that he could appeal confidently to his companions
in arms in the Crimea. and they could say If it be
true that he afraid of shot and shell. The in
terviewer remarked. with degree of frankness
which those who approach princes seldom exhibit
that this kind of evidence would not convince the
people. and the army would require practical
proofs. The Prince exclaimed
Practical proofsi whv, unless am to join
crusade against the Zulus. what can do? must
wd1Efor favorable opportunity to draw the sword
for good cause. do not despair Of finding such
opportunity at . fitting time. Any day complies
tions may arise in Europe. which will enable the
King of Itaiys brother-ip-law to show himself
worthy of the inheritance OF Napoleon !.
EUROPEAN CONFLICT
The Prince stated his for anticipating the
early outbreak Of European conflict. but the
Figaro declined to print them He then stated some
what fully his views on the clerical question:
am generally regarded uncom romising
and intolerant enemy Of Catholicism. 1t Is under
the Empire and at the Tuileries that this
OF atheism manufactured for me, and the ri.
dicnous story OF my having dined off meat on Good
believed to this day. Moreover, / admit that I
confirmed that opinion by joining the republi-
croachments. No doubt 1 anti-clerical
now ever but in the sense that against
prepondersnce of the Church In the State the inter-
ference Of the ministers of religion with govern
is absolutely inconsistent with the principle of ma
tional sovereignty which has become the irrevoca-
bic charter % Of France and IN tn the Empire But am
tool In the hands OF the State Too often under the
Empire the clergy used to be hattered in order
exploited ana the benefits conferred upon them are
far from compensating them for what they lost
by trucking to the government Whether they
be submissive or rcvolted slaves priests will always
be DANGER while If they free they q valua-
BILE element of moral progress. What want is that
the state should be to its mission; but hold
that 1t should be glven aud left, ali the liberties
necessary for the fulflment OF its social duties.
When had seat in Parliament. IL laws restrictive
of those liberties had been introduced would havo
spoken and voted against them. and AS Chief of the
state would be their uncomproinising champion.
VIEWS ABOUT THE REPUBLIC.
Regarding his views toward the Republic he said
that the appeal to the people tho leading prin
ciple Of the Bonapartists they were bound to tako
into account and respect the successive vorcts Of
the electoral body when they happened to go against
them. and they had no right to impute servil.
ity and ignorance to those who voted than claim
MS partisans those who abstaned from going to the
poll. He continued
Universal suffrage has pronounced for the Re-
public 1.-THE Bonapartsts are convinced that that
form OF government cannot give the country tho
prosperity it yearns for and that the imperial
rfgime alone is suitable to tho temperament
of the French people. it is their interest
that the Republic should have q fair trial and
allow II time to demonstrate its impotency,
while giving the country time to recover from
It's error. 1 personally opposed to anything
approaching coup detat. firmly believe in
early restoration of the Empire, but shall not pre-
pare hasten that restoration by plot against
the lawful government or by any violence against
the will OF the country. That IL the reason why
1ssr 1a.t f.v
join In the attempts at reaction made by short
sighted conservatives. ! regarded the 10th of May
hcnsible that it could not even be hoped
that the end would justify the means. and. in fact.
lists against the moderate Republicans led to the
triumph of tho opportunist republicans. The faults
committed by these latter since their accession 10
power unguestionably Justify the efforts now being
made by tine moderate republicans. under tho leader
ship of M. Jules Simon, to resume Office and turn
the tables on the imprudent conquerors of October.
1877. little sooner, little later. whether
tcle seven of the Ferry bill some other debate,
to succeed. 1t win render dissolution of the
Chamber inevitable. and IL cannot be doubted that
will return ultraradical inransgean
majority. The country will then have got to the end
OF Its tcher and will round. France will then
spontaneously rid herself Of the Republic and freely
and poacefully re-establish the Empire. the only
regime suitable TO the social state OF country
When the Republic is thus paving the way for my
prompt and easy accession should be rash and
blind II did aught 10 hinder its or impede
its action
SApoLKoSIo RESTORATION.
The Prince added he did not anticipate that Prus-
sia would regard Napoleonic restoration MS q
threat OF war. The imperial family had repanche
to take; the death of the Prince Imperial had
plated the faults OF 1870. France alone might be
desrous TO retrieve her disasters and reconquer her
lost provinces by securing tranquil and prosperous
times to tho country the Empire would afford time
during peace to prepare for But. better sti IL
would prepare pacific reromche by gaining tho
confidence OF the foreign Powers and securing their
aance--that Of England by community OF prin.
cpes and commercial interests; that of Austria by
n community OF Catholic interests; that OF Russia