The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-28
THE STRESS OF FRANCE.
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY kNENT
THE FRANCo-esRMkN WAR.

Not De Won by the Promise Of Power
aud Glory for Himself
There has lately come 10 light a curious
piece Of secret history, dating back to the
time Of tho Franco-German war, which has
hitherto been entirely unknown outside GER
/ tain select Official circles, and which Is eN-
/ tremely interesting as showing 10 what straits
| France was reduced during the conflict The
/ heroes Of the episode are Gen. Prim and
/ Count keratry, who, 1t may DO remem bered,
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
9TH Of September 20 the 18th Of October, 1870
Upon his resignation Of this latter position he
was commissioned by M jules Fayre, who
was then foreign minister In the government
Of national defense to proceed 70 Madr 1,
there 70 endeavor 10 obtain assistance FOR
sorely pressed France
KERATRYs MISSION AND JOURNEY.
Gen. Prim was, as president Of the provis-
ional government, at that time master Of the
destinies Of Spain Count Keratry's instruc-
tions were If possible, b arrange an offensive
and defensive alliance between the two coun-
tries, and 10 persuade the Spanish regent to
Immediately place a corps Of from coco TO
5000 men at Frances disposal The trans
portaiion and feeding Of tho troops were TO
DO provided FOR by the government Of ma
tional defense, and in return for the assist
anco France offered, upon the conclusion Of
the war, % lend q hand In tho "pacifcation"
Of Cnba, and in tho furthcrance Of a scheme
# Iborian union which was then much IA
vored by a certain section Of Spanish politi-
Hans.
Count Keratry, IN prsuanceof his mission,
left Paris on the nth Of October, 1870, in the
balloon "Goiefroy Cavaignac, " starting from
the Orleans railway station. There was a
west wind, which threatened 10 carry the
balloon towards Germany, and Count Kcra-
try was, in fact, obliged 60 descend within
the German lines, near Barbecue. He es-
capped, however 10 Chaumout, whero he
found n dispatch from Gambetta, who begged
him 10 80 at once 70 Tours The count did as
he was requested. and after seeing Gambetta
hurried on 10 Madrid. In the Spanish CAPT
tai be was warmly received 10y the Repubh
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 ia the past France had
rendered 20 Spain. Prim listened silently
and cautiously, and then replied that he
failed 10 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 a weak state. had Joined
Great Britain and France against Russia, and
bad since taken her place among the
European powers. lie pointed out, too, that
Prussia herself had not always been great
power, and that she had only won che position
by asserting her right TO Doe heard IN the coun-
ellis OF Europe Gen. Prim, the count sug.
gasfe1, might put Spain 10 the way of follow
mg along the path which had been SO Success
fully rodirn by Italy and Prussia. Ilemight
be a Spanish Cavour or Bismarck, if only he
would take the trouble Let him declare
Spain 70 boz a republic, let him encourage the
idea Of iberian union, and let him afford the
desired assistance 10 France. III you wall
DO this, continued the count, 81 am author
lied TO offer your government a subsidy 10
the amount Of 100000 francs. (or ~, 10000
sterlingn Cen. Prim's response was:
VT He SAVED FRANCE
81 am moved, NJ le Comte, by your love
Of country; but !, 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 second
Part Of my family resides in
France; myself have lived there during the
later years or my life, and here am known
as the Frenchman' But what you tell me
about assuming the presidency Of a Spanish
republic is a chimera. Spain viii have moth
ing 10 do with a republic Tho real con-
sentative party IN this country is very pow
arful and it shrinks from a republic because
10 has no confidence In republicans
"This means, them said Count Keratry
"that the rumor Of the apnoaching call 10
throne Of the Duke Of Aosta is wei foundedi
I should, nevertheless, have expected Italy TO
remember few Of the obligations which she
owes TO US"
All" said Zen. Tim, Italy would no
doubt move if Spain were to lead the way.
For my part, can only say that if you can
that Italy shall move FIRST, Spain
will follow herr
Count Keratry begged Prim not to sacrifice
the idea Of a republic, but the general re-
NAMED firm. With a smile he said; Il have
preferred the part Of monk TO that Of Crom-
we'll; aud never while l live, shall Spain be-
come a republic. That is my determine
ton"
Count Kerstry, much disappointed, re-
turned to France. On the 10th Of November
the Duke Of Aosta was elected king Of Spain
BY the Cortes, and little later Cen Prim,
rs no was leaving the chamber, was mortany
wounded by Carlist assassins. He died three
days afterwards, on the 3Oth OF December,
the very day on which King Amadeus landed
1t Carthagena st james Gazette