The Dickinson press., 1889-03-16
THE STRESS OF FRANCE.
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY ANENT
THE FRANco-GERMAN WAR.

Count Kcratry's Endeavor to Secure tho
Assistance of Spain-Gcn. Prim Could
Not BE Won by the Promise of Power
and Glory for HIMSELF
There has lately como to light curious
piece of secret history, dating back to tho
time of tho Franco German war, which has
hitherto been entirely unknown outside ccr-
tain select official circles, and which is ex.
tremey interesting Us showing to what straits
France was reduced during tho conflict The
heroes of the episode are Gen Prim and
Count keratry, who, it may DO remembered
had been member of tho opposition in tho
corps lcgislatif in the last year of the empire,
and who was project of police in Paris from the
ith 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 to endeavor to obtain assistance for
sorely pressed France
KERATRy's MISSION AND JOURNEY
Gen. Prim was, US president of tho provis-
hnal government, ut that time master of tho
destinics of Spain Count Kcratry's instruc-
tions were, if possible, to arrange an offensive
and defensive alliance between tho two co,,n-
tries, and to persuade tho Spanish regent to
Immediately place corps of from GO,OOO to
10000 men ut Frances disposal Tho trans
portation and feeding Of tho troops wero to
DO provided for by tho government of ma
tional defense, and in return for the assist
ance Franco offered, upon tho conclusion of
tho war, to lend hand in tho "pacilicaton"
of Cuba, and in the furtherancc of scheme
of lbcran union which was then much fa-
vorcd by certain section of Spanish poti-
clans.
Count kcratry, In pursuance of his mission,
left Paris OH tho nth of October, 1870, in tho
balloon "Godefroy Cavaignac, starting from
tho Orleans railway station. There was u
west wind, which threatened to carry tho
balloon towards Germany, and Count Kcra-
try was, in fact, obliged to descend within
the German lines, near Barbecue. Io cs-
capped, however, to Chaumont, where he
found dispatch from Gnmbetta, who begged
him to so at once to Tours Tho count did as
he was requested, and after seeing Gambetta
hurried on to Madrid. In tho Spanish capi-
tai he was warmly received by the Rcpubli-
can leaders, and especially by Emilio Castelar,,
who, i'll tho name of his friends, authorized
the French emissary to tell Prim that if ho
would help France as requested, he might
count upon being made president of Spanish
republic.
few hours later Count Keratry called on
l'rim, laid all tho advantages of tho proposed
alliance before him and recalled the nllmcr-
o,s good Offices which in tho past Franco had
rendered to Spain. Prim listened silently
and cour'eously and then replied that ho
failed to SEQ how Spain, a power of tho third
rank, crippled in resources and in state of
Transition, could give useful help Count
kcratry 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 tho
European powers. He pointed out, too, that
Prussia herself had not always been IL great
power, and that she had only Won the position
by asserting her right to he heard in the coun-
ellis of Europe. Gen. Prim, tho count sug
gestcd, might put Spain in the way of follow
ing along tho path which had been so success
fully trodden by Italy and Prussia IIomight
bo Spanish Cavour or Bismarck, if only ho
would tako the trouble Let him declare
Spain to be republic, let him encourage the
idea of lbcrian union, and let him afford tho
desired assistance to France ''If you will
do this, continued the count, 81 am author
lzcd to offer your government subsidy to
tho amount of 5O,0O0,O00 francs Tor g., OOO, 900
stcrlng)." Gen. PRINTS response was:
YET lie SAVED FRANCE.
"l am moved, NJ. le Comte, by your lovo
of country, but |, too, lovo my native land,
and, seductive though tho programme which
you lay before mo undoubtedly is, | cannot
accept it. tell you, in confidence that |
hato Prussia and love France us my second
fathcrand. Part of my family resides in
France; myself have lived there during tho
later years of my life, and hero am known
as the Frenchman' But what you tell mo
about assuming tho presidency of Spanish
republic is n chimcra. Spain will have moth
ing TO do with Il republic Tho real con-
servatvc party in this country is very pow
crful and it shrinks from u republic because
it has no confidence in republicans
"This means, then," said Count Kcratry,
"tllat the ruinor of tho approaching call to
throne of the Duke of Aosta is well founded?
should nevertheless hnvo expected Italy to
remember few of tho obligations which sho
owes to u.s."
"Ah!'' said Gen. Prim, Italy would no
doubt move if Spain were to lead tho way
i"i my lil. eaii oiiy say lHaI II you can
manage that Italy shall move first, Spain
Will follow her."
Count Kcratry begged Prim not to sacrifice
the idea Of republic, but tho general re-
manned firm. With smile he said. II havo
preferred tho part of monk to that of Crom-
well, and never while live, shall Spain be-
come a republic That is my determine
ton"
Count Kcratry, much disappointed, re-
turned to France On tho 10Th of November
the Duke Of Aosta was elected king of Spain
by the Cortes, and n littlo later Cen Prim,
as he was leaving the chamber, was mortally
wounded by Carlist assassins He died three
days afterwards, on the 10Th of December,
the very day on which King Amadeus landed
at Carthagcla. st James Gazette