The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-09
FRENCH WAR "REMINISCENCES.
what Occurred just Previous to the Last
Franco German War.

what occurred just Previous to the Last
Franco German War.
The Emperor Napoleon now believed he was
sure, from what was told him. that all was
ready and az regards material this was true
only one thing troubled him. If war had 10
be made there was no man capable of directing
IT, In this state of affairs the council of minis
tiers met A decision had to be come to- twas
no longer possible to delay, and every one was
perpieAeo, not seeing how to escape from this
iataI necessity Suddenly, at an hour already
late-o or oclock-the Due de Grammont said:
Here Is what propose. Cali a congress of
the great powers. which will settle the dispute
and enforce its decision. Whatever it is wa
shall be protected and war will be evaded. If
the congress wishes the Prince of Hohcnzolleru
to reign in Spain we have nothing to fear from
it. What the Spanish people are is known; they
will not support him. His reign will be short
and we shall have no ground for self-reproach
Let u.s. then, hand over the decision of this great
affair to congress. That means no longer war,
but peace
No sooner was the proposal made than the ex-
preston on the faces of the ministers changed
All were enthusiastic.
1T is deliverance," said the Emperor 1T is
unanimously approved Of There is no use in
making further inquiry until we have the
gress. Nj. Olivier" added the Emperor, this
resolution must be at once communicated to the
chambers They are still sitting and you have
time to go to the Chamber of Deputies Go into
the room at the side and draw up q short decla-
ration, which you will read to US and then COM
munlcate to the Chamber. l, however, will tell
the president to continue the sitting"
NJ. Olivier entered the side room and re-
manned there long time, and, whether through
fatigue or unwllllngness, he, who generally was
Such an able writer, came back with an utterly
unsuitable declaration, which met with approval
from no one and which he himself confessed was
insufficient. In consequence it was decided that
the matter should be delayed to the next day.
that NJ. Olivier should prepare at leisure what
was required, and that the document should be
read next day in the Chamber. A message was
sent to the president that he might close the sit
ting, and the council separated after agreeing to
meet next day at o'clock.
The Emperor, on leaving the Tuileries to 60
to St Cloud, was cheered by the crowd collected
IN the square and on the quay. The crowd
called for war without understanding all that it
meant. On arriving at st. Cloud the Emperor
was surrounded by several persons, who had
brought the news Of the famous article inserted
in the German newspapers, in which it was
stated that the King of Prussia had dismissed
NJ. Benedett, telling him that he had nothing
further to add. Count Bismarck had circulated
and published this false statement throughout
all Germany, in order TO compromise everything,
to force the hand of France. and to bring on war.
And he attained his object
Iha deputies and the senators who surrounded
the Empress, and who had been invited to stay
to dinner, were indignant They We'd with each
other in expressing most forcibly the necessity
for replying to this insolence by declaration of
war. They said: ut is impossible to draw
back to hesitate would be shameful" The
Empress received these ardent words as accorded
with her war temperament and Spanish pride.
Nothing but the 'Marseillaise" was wanting in
the drawing room at st. Cloud. This was the
news received on his arrival by the unfortunate
Emperor, who had left the Tuileries treasured
and so full of confidence and hope.
He saw at once the consequences Of this new
incident. The Congress had become impossible
The declaration could not be made. ,,rnar rAeo
lutions should be taken; otner means sought for.
Could war be avoidedl There had been the
closest approach to an escape. If the declaration
had been made at o'clock in the Chamber there
would have been end to the difficulty; now
all had to be begun again