The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-02-09
Aalraiialt 6azette.
EST MoDus IN REBUs.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY ?, 1881.
How Women Have Figured in French
PoIffioa

Twas rather surprised to note, by the latest
arrival Of American papers, that the first tele
graphic reports of the De Cissey- Jung affair
were so universally in favor of the General.
He seems to be considered therein as matyr
to the malice of the Radicals. Now it IS
well-known fact that everybody in Paris fully
understood the why and wherefore of his re-
sicuation of his functions as Minister oil War
some five or six years ago. That the General
had a cbere dD1ie who was a German spy, and
who profted by her right OF entry at all times
TO his private rooms to copy all sorts OF I'M
portant documents, the copies being forthwith
transmitted to Berlin, became known to the
police at that epoch, and through their medium
10 Marshal MacMahon. The Marshal sent for
his old comrade, then his trusted coadJutor IN
the Government, and laid the proofs OF the
Baroness de Kaulla's misdeeds before him.
Poor De Cissey was utterly crushed by the
revelation. They say that, war-worn soldier
though he is, he burst into tears and wept Ike
n woman. Out of consideration for his age
and his long years of military service, he was
permitted TO send in his resignation on the plea
of ill-health. The story was hushed up SO
far as the newspapers were concerned, every
journal in Paris receiving a solemn warning
not to allude 10 it in any possible way. But 1t
was the talk of the city; the clubs and the
cafes rang with it but even the correspon-
dents of foreign journals did not venture 10
mention the incident, save in velled and
guarded terms. 1t had all blown over, and the
history was well-nigh forgotten, when 1t
pleased an INSCRIPTIONS journalist to stir 1t up
afresh.
Hence the scandal wherewith Paris is now
ringing, and the end is not yet. Every day
calls forth fresh details. Now it is story OF
how the apartments of the Baroness were re-
furnished in gorgeous style, the bill of $500
being paid by wealthy army contractor, who
Immediately after received an order for 9,O00,-
600 pairs of shoes for the French army. Then
we have the history of how all the chassepots
captured by Prussia during the Franco-Prus-
sian war were resold to the French Govern
ment through the medium of Nine. de Kaulla,
that astute lady pocketing some $50, 900 by the
transaction. There is also history of horses
supplied to the French army through the same
channel, said horses being worthless beasts
thai were fit for nothing but the knacker's
yard.
Withal, the lady is said to be one of the
most graceful, refined, and fascinating Of wo-
men. A lady friend of mine CHANGED to be
seated beside her at public concert one eve
ming, year or two ago. Some small incident,
such as the loan of programme, led to a con-
versation, and my friend was entirely charmed
with the vivacity, the high-bred elegance, and
the beauty of her neighbor. When the concert
was over she asked a French acquaintance,
who was present, who that fascinating lady
might be, was told her name, and never forgot
it, so deep had been the impression made upon
her mind by the winning ways and sparkling
wit Of her chance acquaintance. She never
saw the bewitching Baroness again, and it was
only when the De Cissey- Jung scandal burst
upon the public that she recalled the incident
and the name of the charmer.
What an influence women seem to exercise
over the stormy tide of French politics The
angry waves may rise, and seethe, and over
whelm old landmarks and cherished institu-
tons, in their maddening fury. And, 10
when one comes to investigate cause and eff.
feet, it is all the work of some placid Lady
Moon, enthroned in ethereal tranquility in some
starlit sphere, far above the raging tides. 1t
was a woman who brought about the Franco
Prussian war. 1t was woman who impelled
poor, honest-hearted, thick headed old Mac
Mahon into the mad enterprise of the 10th of
May. And now it is again a woman who has
brought the veteran De Cissey's gray hairs
untimely to the dust of public reprobation.
4 prominent French politician once said to
de MaclIa6on over the Marshal, and Of The
hand the Empress Eugene had in bringing
about the disasters of 1870, Madame, the
President of the French Republic ought always
to be bachelor" Yet, by the light of recent,
or rather past, events, it would seem as if even
this extreme measure would not prove effectual.
If it were not Madame" it would be ces
danes. On the other hand, no ruler in the
world could be more inaccessible than is Presi-
dent Grevy to any undue or outside influence.