The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-07
DIPLOMATIC REVELATIONS.
Extracts From Prince MstterniOh's Me-
moirs.
,Nspoleoa at Dresden-Nine Hours of Mac
.chisvellian Fencing.
New York Herald.l

from ITO 70 1910, puDllsneu Og Ills son,
Prince Richard Winneburg, were to have
made their appearance on the 4th or 5th inst,
in three languages, in London, Paris and
Vienna simultaneously. There has been de-
lay in the appearance of the work, however,
caused by the fact that the English transla-
ton is not quite ready. The memoirs were
written partly in French and partly in Ger
man, so that the task of rendering them from
one of these languages into the other was
light one when compared with that of an en-
tirely new volume. The conditions are that
the publications shall be simultaneous. The
French publishers are obliged to wait until
their colleagues can produce their
edition. The memoirs will doubtless
create considerable sensation. In Difference
to special testamentary disposition made by
| the prince period of rs years was to elapse
after his death before they should be given
TO the world, when they were to be edited by
competent persons and printed. The memoirs
are said to contain political revelations and
personal ana of extraordinary value to the
historian and of lively interest to the public
of every European country" One of the
| memoirs is doubtless Metternich's own
account of the momentous interview which
! took place between himself and Napoleon l.
at Dresden, on the 26th of June, 1913. The
| prince, on the part of Austria, offered medi-
| alton with view of closing the war, but
meanwhile was conducting the negotiations
which led to the quadruple alliance, and ulti-
mately to Nspoleon's defeat at Leipsic.
NAPOLEON IN THE SAXON CAPITAL.
On June 25 1 arrived at Dresden, and
alighted at the house of Count Bubna. Ma
poleon arrived at the Saxon capital few
hours later than myself and summoned me
to his quarters for the following day. He
was staying at a villa in the Marcolina
| Gardens, upon the Elsterweise, for he did
not venture to take up his abode in the
| city itself, and more than 10000 of his
| troops were crammed into the Friedrich
suburb for mis- protection. Napole-
| on's position toward his army, as well as to-
ward the French people, was at that time
| very critical one The whole nation was
| split up into two parties; the one consisting
| of the "Men of the Revolution" comprising
| host of persons whose destiny was bound
up with the endurance of the empire and
the other compromising all the adherents
of the royal Bourbons. The former were
grooming over the hazardous situation into
which Napoleon's devouring ambition had
| brought their interests; the latter did not as
yet dare to raise their heads, but were await
| ing with impotence the results of the coming
campaign, for which the nation was even then
making gigantic preparations. The French
| army itself yearned for peace. Its generals,
without. exception felt, but little confidence
| as to the results of struggle which would
become more than unequal so soon as fresh
allies should join the Russians and Prussians.
| The governments of the Rhenish Federation
experienced great difficulty in restraining
the detestation of Napoleon animating the
German people; their own attitude toward
him was doubtful one, which caused
Europe to watch that of Austria with all the
more eagerness and anxiety. Under these
circumstances the appearance of the Aus
TRAN minister of foreign affairs at Napole-
on's headquarters could not but be regarded
by the leaders of the French army as an
event the consequences of which would
prove conclusive. 1t would be difficult for
me to convey in words my idea of the miser-
ably care-worn expression which / observed
or the faces of the courtiers and generals, all
glittering with gold though they were, who
crowded the emperor's ante-chambers as i
passed through them. The Prince of Neuf-
ehstel (Bertheir) whispered to me, ado not
forget that Europe asks for peace-above all
France, which will not hear''of anything but
pescep' made no reply, and entered
the emperors private room. Napoleon
was awaiting me, standing, his
sword at his side, his. cooked hat
under his arm. He approached me with
obviously affected calm, and inquired after
the health of my emperor Soon, however,
his countenance darkened, and standing
opposite to me, he exclaimed, $50, you viii
have war? Very well, then; you shall have
It'll l annihilated the Prussian army at
Lutzen. defeated the Russians at Bautzen,
now you want to have your turn. 1 give
you rendezvous at Vienna. Human beings
are really incorrigible; nothing will induce
them to take lessons from experience. Thrice
have replaced the emperor Francis
upon his throne; have promised him to
remain at peace with him for the rest of my
life; have even married his daughter.
When / did so / said to myself, You are
making fool Of yourself But it is true
and can not be helped, although I now
regret it,"
GREEK MEETS GREEK.
From these Introductory remarks |
gathered that my position was even
stronger one than / had be- |
lieved ii to be- At that decisive mo-
ent was enabled to regard myself as the |
representative of European society. Yes, |
may now confess Napoleon then appear
ed to me small indeed. "War and peace" |
/ replied, are in your majesty's hands. My |
master, the emperor, has duties to fulfill |
before which all other considerations must |
give place. Europe's future and your own |
are entirely dependent upon yourself. An |
abyss yawns between your wishes and that |
which Europe desires The world asks for |
peace. To assure that peace you must with
draw within the limits that are compatible |
with general tranquility or you must sue
cumb in the otherwise inevitable struggle |
To-day you can still conclude peace; to- |
morrow will be, perhaps, too late for you to |
do so. The emperor, my sovereign, allows |
himselfto be guided In his conduct solely by |
~ - Il hfo n so<o o.r