New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-14
COURBET AND HIS PLANS.
WHAT FRANCE MIGHT HAVE DONE IN THE
FACT

EAST
Iron THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE.
PARIS, June 24.-Not many days ago the Oppor
tunist majority in tho Chambers demanded their
adjournment in sign of mourning when tho news Of
Admiral Courbeps death was announced by NJ
Floque. and NJ. Le Roger. Their press organs now
cry him down and deny that he is worthy of a
State funeral. They even question his technical
capacity, and accuse him of having been indIs-
Greet, vas ana rancorous. Their blame is as exag-
geratcd as was their praise. Courbet has fallen in
their esteem merely because his friend id former
superior, Admiral Croydon, number of letters
received from him within two and half years to
the Memorial de la Loire clerical journal brought
out ut Nantes. They contain the seveiest strict
ures on the strategy and motives of Ferry and on
the majority i'll tho Chamber. Great soreness
is also expressed in them at General Millot being
sent out to 1onquin to supersede the writer and at
he himself being ordered to Formosa to direct q
campaign suggested by Admiral Lespcs and Com
mander Fourier when tney were both at Petchli.
CCurbet, in whose company once breakfasted at
Gambetta's table, was very ambitious In the
French naval service promotion is slow and oppor-
tuGities to perform briliant fcats have been rare
since the Empire combined with England to brow
beat CHINA and Japan. Courbet also entered the
services at thc-for naval cadct-unusu-
dlly Tlro uBo Oh IWeuty, anu Nc Hau very
nearly reached tho time Of life when he
would have had to retire. He was a
distinguished officer and might have done great
things for marine photography had he bccn
charged with scieutiic missions. lie had also the
cool bravery of tie Northern man. who calculates
before be advances and is courageous because he
knows what'Ac IS about and sees his way.
Courbet had never had chance until he was
sent to Ionquin of tlIng the Paris papers with his
name When there he had not only o strong per-
sona motive 10 win fame as successful conquer
or but "A religious one as well. He was deeply at
tached to his church, and thought it great blum
der of the Republicans not to be political Catholics
Courbct lost no opportunity to strengthen the
Catholic missions when he was at New-Caedonia
and making war in lnlo-Chna. lie represented
conlidentay to Admiral Peyron that, being
directed by tho Missions Erangeres of the
Rue de Seyres they wonid be coun-
terpois> to English and German influence
lie brushed scorn!ully aside the idea that France
should limit her ambition to tho possession of Ton
qnir, which lie called "a miserable. marshy, vapor
bath with swarniag and unintelligent population.
and the worst climate in tho world" His idea
to firmly establish under the name Of an Ananltc
Prince French sway over the whole ARante
Empire. aud to impose a special-favor treaty of
points aad running her military navy. In three
weeks mouth no undertook to do this. Ferry
was, however. too apprchsnsivc of diplomatic con-
sequences to jump at the cfer. Courbet wrote
privately to Peyron and other admirals and politI-
cal men to try aud get up movement IN favor of
his plan. Ferry instructed the Opportunist press
to trump what no himself said in the Chamber
about campaign OF ;" rcprisals" and Intelligent
destruction which would not technically be q
war Courbet scofci at this pettyfogging cun-
nlng which he held was dangerous because IL would
lead to half measures To avoid III the stormy
Chinese seas being destroyed by typhoons by max
ing quick a1d clean gb OF the destruction OF the
forts Courbct obtained leave TO test his scheme by
the bombardmcnt of Foo Choo. When he sue
cecdod there, he could. he reasoned. succeed ut
Port Arthur. Shanghai, and Canton. He had more
experience Of tOrpsdo practice than any ohcor OF
his grade il the naval service and engaged 10 ruin
the who Q Chimes. feet. trial was made OF what
he could do III this respect and was also success
But for the possibility of England barring the
Suez Canal against French troops and war ships
sent 70 reinforce Courbct and enable hl TO dictate
peace at Tinsin, he might have astoaished the
world by his achievements, and opened new and
stirring chapter in the history OF the nine
teenth century; Since his death, | was at
a dinner given by the Geographical Society to
Comtc Faucher de Carvil and others of his fellow
members Tee persons between whom i sat la
mentsl, in talking of Cour@et. the insane hostility
France directing tine great organization for
the propagation Of tho Catholic faith Ill
barbarous countries would make Roadway OH
England, Germany and America, WHO were
setting up rival missions to those OF the French
Jesuits Syria. Ii was for the interest of Fraace
to keep alive Catholic feeling everywhere to pro-
tect the Catholic Church, and to have Catholic
allies IN Belgium. Austria aud Italy, asked
"Why7' 40 prevent the assimilation. in the
first place, of two of these states with Germany
and to disunte tho Italians. who, III the present
state Of their Peninsula and of Europe, are the
natural allies OF England" Spain y now too in-
different 10 Catholicism and too Republican to
in, 1 uattn flr fha
sake of the Pope. France and Austria are inter-
ested in keeping alive polticai Cathoiicisn-a
enemy of the Republic would net hear Of the eri:
bassy TO the Vatican being suppressed. and caused
subsidies provided by the Secret Service uId to
be- transmitted to Monslgnor do LavIgerine, the
Bishop of Tnnis, 10 multiply religious commune
ties aud schools in his diocese.
have said met Csurbet at dejeuner at Gambet-
tas table. Gambetta had mado advances to HIM
through Admiral Pcthuan, and Courbet. with hest
tai non and from motives Of Interest, rather than
sympathy. accepted them. He struck ma as being
reserved, guarded and watchful. lie also liz
pres ed me witn tho idea that Lie was
"a powerful thinker but within marrow linz
its. The brain was massive, and rose
forehead. The face was vulgar. He had thin,
closely smut lips and mouth sllgstiy awry. IL
did not form horizontal line. The cheeks were
hollow and the black eyes bright and expressive of
intensity of character. but not of philosophical
character. One saw that his life Lad not been a
happy one. There was sonnet hing-indeed good
deai--in him that commanded respect. Gambetta
telt this and in speaking to hIn constantly felt his
way. lie talked IN low voice. he directed all his
con vorsation to COurbet, and Sd made tho Others
who at table feel that they were only 20 listen
Have you ever seen cat IN tree trying TO charm
Il bird that it wants to catchf Gam5otta, who was
u feline of the leonne tribe, reminded
me of a cat so engaged. rrompetle was net yet
hIs chef. Tho breakfast modest but we |
served. 1t OF sorre with hard eggs. veal cut
lets en- pdpiiottes and al omeiette Gu rhum which
Courbei, who was not yet an admiral. GId not
touch lie said that he liked 1t bur the state Of hrs
liver prevented him from taxing highly Seasoned
food The conversation was modern naval wa =, |
Il CaurhnI oil TINT th, III