Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-26
FROM OVER THE OCEAN.
IntimatiOnS of a Formal Treaty of
Alliance Between France and
Russia.
The Agreement Has Been Pending
Since 1887, but the Gar Dis
approved of it.
1t Had the Sanction of Grand Duke
Nicholas, Vladimir and
De Giers,

BERLIN, March 2l.-DISpatcheS from
| St. Petersburg convey the unwelcome in
| formation pointing to the conclusion of a
formal treaty of alliance between France
and Russia. Until recently the car re-
sisted the attempts of going beyond the
entente with France. The draft of the
treaty was prepared in Paris in 1897 and
approved by DeGiers, Grand Duke Mich
olas and Vladimir, and other chiefs of the
imperial council, on the part of Russia,
and which was then rejected by the car,
but was again presented to him after the
late election in France, confirmed the
permanency of republican form Of govern
ment ID that country, and was again re-
jected, has finally received his sanction,
AS an event of such immense information
al Importance as this cannot be kept secret
it is expected De Gier will cause some in
formal notification to reach the government
of the Dreibund. As a corollary of the
alliance, the czar, it is stated, has signed
decree bestowing upon President Carnot
the grand Gordon of the order of Standrew,
the highest Russian decoration and one
limited to the members of the imperial
family, This decoration has hitherto
been conferred as an exceptional honor on
sovereigns nearly connected with the Rus
sian throne No open advice ban be OBJ
tanned regarding the conclusion of the
treaty.
The interest in the Won Boetticher Incl
dent was increased after it became known
that the emperor visited the ministry to-
day and remained over an hour, conversing
with him and Madame Boetticher. Chan
cellor Caprivi afterwards called upon the
ministers. Both visits were designed to
signify that Won Boetticher retained the
confidence of the emperor and the govern
ment 1t implied also the deter
mination of the emperor to
stand by the minister whom Bismarck
is attacking. The ex-chancellor is per-
siStent hater and will never forgive Won
Boetticher the ingratitude in going with
his enemies on the eve of his fall. 1t was
undoubtedly through Bicmarck than Won
Roetticher secured the donation of $4,000
marks several years ago which enabled
him to met the liabilities incurred
through his bankrupt brother-in-Iaw
Won Boetticher' friends say the supposed
gift was from the private purse of En-
peror William |, and not from the Guelph
fund under the disposal of Prince Bis
marck as chancellor. The fact is Won
Boetticher took the money from Bismarck
without asking him from what source it
had been obtained, and afterwards re-
ceived from the present emperor the high
honor decoration of the order of the black
eagle for bel ping to bring about the
downfall of prince Bismarck. Public dis
cussion of the affair will doubtless incite
in the Reichstag employment to regulate
the use of the guelph secret service fund
The prospect Of renewal of friendly rela-
ton between the emperor and Bismark has
become more remote owing to the ma
jesty's ostentations favoritism for Won
Boetticher.
The Gillian government has bought,
through its agents in Hamburg, several
fast steamers. 1t is announced these YES
sells will be fully equipped as cruisers and
be employed by the government to operate
against the insurgents.
The socialist strike organization in
Hamburg suffered severe defeat in the
collapse of the cigar makers strike after
it cost the workingmen's societies 10000
marks. The Hamburg organization was
considered most perfectly organized and
the strongest body of working men under
the socialist S influence.
Mr.. Loeffier, Chicago Fair commissioner
is now in the city making arrangements
for Germanys exhibits in the Columbian
exposition. He is receiving very encour-
aging reports from all sides and there is
great desire manifested on the part of
traders and manufacturers everywhere to
send specimens of their goods to America.