Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-24
A PIECE OF SECRET HISTORY.
Why Spain did not Assist France In Her
Sore Distress.

A PIECE OF SECRET HISTORY.
Why Spain did not Assist France I'm Her
Sore Distress.
From the st. James Gazette.
There has lately come to light curious piece
Of secret history, dating back to the time Of the
Franco-German war, which has hitherto been
entirely unknown outside certain select Official
circles, and which is extremely interesting as
showing to what straits France was reduced
during the great conflict The he
roes of the episeIe are Gen. Prim
and Count Keratry, who, it may be
remembered, had been member of the oppo-
sition in the corps legslatif in the last year Of
the empire, and who was project of police in
Paris from the 4th Of September to the 18th Of
October, 1870. Upon his resignation of this
latter position he was commissioned by NJ.
Jules Favre, who was then foreign minister
in the government Of national defense, to
proceed to Madrid, there 10 endeavor to OBJ
tain assistance for sorely pressed France.
Gen. Prim was, as president of the provis-
ional government, at that time master of the
destinies of Spain.
COUNT KERATRY's INSTRUCTIONS
were, il possible, to arrange an offensive and
defensive alliance between the two countries,
and to persuade the Spanish regent to i'm
mediately place a corps of from 10000 to
SO. 900 men at Frances disposal. The transport
tation and feeding OF the troops were to be
provided for by the government of national de-
Tense, and in return for the assistance. France
offered, upon the conclusion of the war, to lend
hand in the "pacifcation" Of Cuba, and in the
furtherance of a scheme of Iberian union which
was then much favored by certain section
OF Spanish politicians. Count Keratry, in
pursuance Of his mission, left Paris on the
14th of October, 1870, in the balloon Godefroy
Cavaignac. starting from the Orleans railway
station. There was west wind. which threat
ened to carry the balloon towards Germany, and
Count Keratry was, in fact. obliged to descend
within the German lines. near Barbecue. He
escaped, however, to Chaumont, where he found
dispatch from Gambetta who begged him to
go at once to Tours. The count did as he was
requested. and after seeing Gambetta hurried
on to Madrid. In the Spanish capital he was
warmly received by the republican leaders, and
especially by Emilio CASTELAR,. who, in the name
Of his friends, authorized the French emissary
to tell Prim that if he would help France as
requested he might count upon being made
president of Spanish republic.
THE CONFERENCE WITH PRIM.
A few hours later Count Keratry called on
Prim, laid all the advantages of the proposed
alliance before him, and recalled the numerous
good Offices which in the past France had rem
teously, and then replied that he failed to see
how Spain, power of the third rank. crippled
in resources and in a state of transition, could
give useful help. Count Keratry answered by
citing the case Of Italy. which, though then
weak state, had joined Great Britain and France
against Russia, and had since taken her place
among the European powers. He pointed out,
too that Prussia herself had not always been a
great power, and that she had only won the po-
sltion by asserting her right to be heard in
the councils Of Europe. General Prim, the
count suggested, might put Spain in the
been SO successfully trodden by Italy and Prus-
STA. He might be a Spanislr cavour or Bis
marck, if only he would take the trouble. Let
him declare Spain to be republic, let him en-
courage the idea of 1berian union, and let him
afford the desired assistance to France. "Ifyou
will do this" concluded the count, Il am au-
thorized to offer your government a subsidy to
the amount of fifty million of francs Cor two
millions sterling)." Gen. Prim's response was;
Il am moved, NJ. lie Comte, by your love of
country; but /, too, love my native land. and,
seductive though the program which you lay
before me undoubtedly is, cannot accept it, I
tell you, in confidence, that I hate Prussia and
love France as my second fatherland. Part of
my family resides in France; myself have
lived there during the later years of my life,
and here l am known as the Frenchman.' But
what you tell me about assuming the presidency
q
have nothing to do with a republic. The real
conservative party in this country is very pow
erful, and it shrinks from a republic because
it has no confidence in republicans"
This means, then" said Count Keratry,
'.that the rumor of the approaching call to the
throne of the duke of Aosta is well founded I
should. nevertheless, have expected Italy to
a few of the obligations which she
owes to u.s." "Ah!' said Gen. Prim, '.Italy
would no doubt move if Spain were to lead
the way. For my part, I can only say that if
you can manage that Italy shall move first,
Spain will follow her." Count Keratry begged
Prim not to sacrifice the idea of republic, but
the general remained firm. With smile he said:
Il have preferred the part of monk to that of
Cromwell: and never. while live, shall Spain
become republic. That is my determination
County Keratry, much disappointed. returned
to France. On the 10th of November the
duke OF Aosta was elected king of Spain by
the cortes, and a little later Gen. Prim as he
was leaving the chamber. was MORALLY wounded
by Carlist assassins. He died three days after
ward, on the S0th of December, the very day
on which King Amedeus landed at Carthagena
Toilet for an Empress.
From the Philadelphia Press
The dress worn by Empress Friedrich is the
dress of a German widow, very picturesque,
though simple and severe. The gown is long
plain one, covered entirely by crepe, and only
relieved by two long bands of white lawn from
the neck of the gown in front to the feet. The
widows cap is black and worn in a stiff point
which comes down low on the forehead. to
which is fastened a long, black veil. falling
almost to the feet behind. The three prncesses
wear the same deep veil and cap without the
white bands, which are a distinctive widows
dress. Since the arrival of Empress Friedrich
on visit to her mother, Queen Victoria, the
worn by the royal family and house,
hold is in accordance with German customs
Where white crepe caps have been worn hith-
erto by some of the ladies, black caps are now
the fashion, the only person adhering to the
English white cap being the queen.
Societies of Women.
From the Boston Advertiser.
There are forty-eight national societies of
women in this country, the Boston woman
being well represented in their ranks. These
societies have direct membership of 500, 900.
The largest is the Womans Christian Temper
ance Union, with membership of 100000.
Then follows the missionary, the peace. the
suffrage organizations and philanthrophic and
educational societies. Twelve of these ma
tional organizations have joined with the ma
tional council, which was formed to unite all
the women societies of the nation into one
great and powerful league. Some of its prac-