The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-02
DOES IT MEAN WAR?
Situation Between France and
Germany is Delicate.
RESULTS OF THE BLUNDER
Committed by the Kaiser in Attempt.
ing Cancellation Triumph for
Blsmarck.-.War 0Iay Result.
The Empress's Fatal Visit.

LONDON, March 1.-The German En-
peror is in state Of indignation at th
manner in which his efforts to brin
about more friendly relations wit
France have been received by the FrencI
people. He has resolved to relinquisl
that thankless task and to permit tn
Frenchmsn to follow unchecked th
path which leads to destruction. Th
facts are that the Emperor went into thi
business under the delusion that he wa
a heavsn.born diplomatist, and the dis
illusions has been proportionately ex
asperating to his vanity.
The situation was and is undeniably
delicate, and to some extent even men
acing. The young Emperor's clumsy
action has certainly not improved It
An attempt has been made 10 relieve
him OF the responsibility OF Empress
Frederick's visit to Paris, but it was
beyond doubt undertaken a. his sug'
gestion, and he received daily from the
German Embassy several long cipher
dispatches, recording his mothers move.
ments and their effect upon French
opinion.
But the greatest blunder OF the series,
the visit to Versailles, was made of her
own volition by the Empress, and drew a
sharp telegram OF remonstrance from
Chancellor Won Caprivi, which pre-
vented the contemplated trip the next
day to st. Cloud, from the burning
ruins Of which the then Grown Prince
Frederick conducted the bombardment
of:Paris.
Deputy Antonin Peroust has written
to the Figaro to say that he went to the
German Embassy for the purpose Of in.
scri5ing his name in the VISITORS book,
and there met French general on the
same errand. The latter said: ~ am
writing my name because am not one
OF those who make war in time OF
peace"
The decision OF Emperor William to
re.urn to the old regime OF rigorous
passport regulations in Alsace and Lor.
raine has created painful impression
here, and is regarded as only his first
reprisal for the attitude Of the French
toward the Dowager Empress.
The commanders OF the frontier fort
resses have been ordered to increase
their vigilance, and all suspicious stran.
gers are 10 be arrested, especially those
who may be found with Photographic
apparatus in the vicinity Of fortified
places.
The Emperor intends to recall Count
von Munster and put some one in his
place who will be more assertive Of Ger
man dignity, and more successful in car
rying out the Imperial wishes.
Munster, it is understood, was Bis
mIrck's selection for the post, and the
Emperor never treated him with entire
confidence.
1t is no exaggeration to say that this
has been one Of the most critical weeks
for France and Germany both since the
outbreak OF the Franco. Prussian war ol
1901. So. early as Tuesday last 1t be.
gan to be felt that In sevaral circles that
the Empress Frederick was prolonging
her stay in Paris to a dangerous extent.
The first event was the drive TO Yer
sailles. When the public clamor arose
on the day following, the attention oi
the Empress was called TO the matter by
the wife OF one Of the prominent mem.
bers OF the Diplomatic Corps. In reply,
the Empress Frederic said: II went
there for reasons Of sentiment; 30 many
recolleotions Of my husband center
there"
The second incident or mistake was
the thoughtless removal by an over,
jealous French official OF wreath laid
on the tomb Of Henri ReRnault, the eel
ebrated French painter, who died al
Buzenval when only twenty.four year,
of age, while fighting against the Prus'
SLAMS during the Franco. Prussian war
The third incident was the publica'
ton OF the anti-French article in the
Cologne Gazette Of Thursday, and read
by the people here at the very moment
the Empress was driving to the railway
station.
Another influence bringing about the
strained relations has been the rivalry
Of the two salons. Bouguereau, the
painter, led the party known as the
Berlin party,a and Meissonier's success
sor as Rresident OF the Champ de Mari
seceders was the leader OF the "anti. Ber.
lin party"
During the course of an interview pub
lished to-day, Bouguereau said:
ION Wednesday last the e3.Empres'
called at my studio, but she asked me nc
Questions as 10 whether or not wa
going to send pictures for exhibition al
Berlin. NTheTe was nothing OF politica
nature in the whole affair. The incident
proves again that the French public Il
apt to 20 of half.cocked, and we may ht
called down unprepared at this moment
for War."
The feeling OF general confidence thai
the unpleasant incident had ended with
the departure OF the Empress was rudely
shaken to-day upon the public learning
OF Chancellor Won Caprivi's order tc
Prince Won Observation-Disclosures
with reference 10 the passport regula
tions. The Chancellor'e action hal
caused great excitement, a portion o.
the press denouncing It'll fierce and
bitter terms, and calling it willful provo
cation OF the people Of France.
An article in the National Zeitung is es
pecially offensive to the PArisians. That
paper suggests that in view Of ito present
heated condition a clear stream Of cold
water should be poured on Paris.
According to the adVices from Berlin,
the Emperor 8 wrath at the failure Of the
visit OF Empress Frederick TO Paris has
fallen upon both Chancellor Won Caprivi
and Count Won Munster upon the for.
mer for advising the tryingot the expert.
ment, and upon the latter for assentinp
to the Empress prolonged stay and q
her fatally indiscreet visit TO Versailles
The ohaTlcter Of the response is inter.
preted in official quaTters as pointing to
the Emperor's determination to obtain
from the French Government some
form OF satisfaction for the treatment &C.
corded his mother. There are rumora
that Won Caprivl will be ousted from hii
position,
This Paris incident is a triumph fol
Prince Bismarck. The Hamburger
Naehricla1 holds that the French out
break vindicates the Dismarckian gys
tenn, and advises the Emperor TO return
TO the old policy, which regarded France
as an inappeasable enemy.
The well.grounded criticisms OF the
Bismarckian press will not tend to allay
IAV y. N..sNasfaw