Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-01-23
THE STRESS OF FRANCE.
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY ANENT
THE FRANco-eERMAN WAR.

Count Keratry's Endcavor TO Secure the
Assistance OF spain-Cen. Prim Coaid
Not BE Won by the Promise OF Power
and Glory for Himself
There has lately come to light a curious
piece Of secret history, dating back to tho
time Of the Franco-German war, which has
hitherto been entirely unknown outside GER
tain select official circles, and which is ex-
tremely interesting as showing to whatstraits
France was reduced during the conflict. The
heroes Of the episode are Gen. Prim and
Count Keratry, who it may be remembered
had been q member Of the opposition in the
corps legislatif in the last year Of the empire,
and who was project of police in Paris from the
4th Of September 10 the 10th of October, 1870
Upon his resignation Of this latter position he
was commissioned by NJ. jules Favre, who
was then foreign minister ina the government
Of national defense, to proceed to Madrid,
there 10 cndeavoT 20 obtain assistance for
sorely pressed France.
KERATRY's MISSION AND JOURNEY.
Gen. Prim was, as president of the provis-
ional government, at that time master Of the
destinies Of Spain. Count Keratrys instruc-
tions were, If possible, to arrange an offensive
and defensive alliance between the two coun-
tries and TO persuade the Spanish regent to
Immediately place a corps of from G0.000 TO
$1,000 men at Frances disposal. The trans
portation and feeding Of the troops were to
be provided for by the government Of ma
tional defense, and IN return for the assist
ance France offered, upon tho conclusion Of
the war, to lend hand in tho qualification
Of Cuba, and In the furtherance Of a scheme
Of Ibcrian union which was then much IA
yQTed BY certain section of Spanish politi-
Siaps
Count Keratry, in pursuance Of his mission,
left Paris on the 18th Of October, 1870, in the
balloon "Godefroy Cavaignac, 4" starting from
the Orleans railway station There was a
west wind, which threatened TO carry the
balloon towards Germany, and Count Kera-
try was, in fact, obliged TO descend within
the GERMAN lines, near Barbecue. He es-
capped, however, TO Chaumont, where he
found a dispatch from Gambetta, who begsed
him TO go at onee to Tours The count did as
ho was requested, and otter seeing Gambetta
hurried on TO Madrid. In tho Spanish CAPT
tai no was warmly received by the Republi-
can 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.
A few hours later Count Keratry called on
Prim, laid all the advantages of the proposed
alliance before him and recalled the numer-
GUS good offices which in the past France had
rendered 10 Spain Prim listened silently
and courtoously, and then replied that he
failed y see low Spain, Q power Of the tlhiyd
rank crippled In Resources az ai,A = = state Of
transition, could give useful help Count
Keratry answered by citing the case Of Italy,
which, though then a 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 great
power, and that she had only won the position
by asserting her right to be heard in the coun-
ellis Of Europe. Gen. Prim, the count sug-
gested, might put Spain the way Of follow
ing along the path which had been SO success
fully trodden by Italy and Prussia. Hemight
| be O Spanish Cavour or Bismarck, if only he
would take the trouble. Let him declare
Spain 70 be q republic, let him encourage tho
idea of Ibcrian union, and let him afford the
desired assistance 60 France. If you vii
do this, continued the count, 81 am author
lied 60 oiier your government a subsidy L
the amount of 5O,0OO,OOO francs Tor e2,OOO,0OI
sterlingl.n Gen. PRINTS response was
YET HE SAVED FRANCE.
II am moved, NJ. le Comte, by your Low,
of country; but l, too, love my native land
and seductive though the programme which
you lay before me undoubtedly is, / cannot
accept it. ] tell you, in confidence that
hate Prussia and love France as my seconC
fatherland. Part Of my family resides il
/ 4 how IA
later years Of my life, and here am know
as the Frenchman.' But what you tell M
about assuming the presidency of a Spansl
republic is a chimera. Spain win have moth
ing TO do with republic. The real con
sentative party in this country is very pow
erful and it shrinks from republic becaus'
IL has no confidence in republicans
This means, then" said Count Keratry
shat the rumor Of the approaching call I,
throne Of the Duke of Aosta is well founded
/ should, nevertheless have expected Italy t
remember few Of the obligations which sh,
owes TO us
"Ahn said Gen. Prim, "Italy would Nc
doubt move il Spain were 70 lead the way
For my part l can only say that if you car
manage that Italy shall move first, SpaiI
win follow her."
Count Keratry begged Prim not to sacrifice
the idea Of a republic, but the general re
manned firm. With a smile he said II hav
preferred the part of monk to that Of Crom
well; and never while live, shall Spain be
come republic That is my determine
tionn
Count Kerstry, much disappointed, re
turned to France. On the 10th OF Novembe
the Duke of Aosta was elected king Of Spai
by the Cortes, and a little later Cen Prim
as he was leaving the chamber, was mortal
wounded by Carlist assassins. He died thrt
! days afterwards, on the 30th of December
} the very day on which King Amadeus lande
, at Carthagena.- James Gazette.