The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-10-29
FRENCH PAPERS CAUSTIC.

Figaro and Gaulois Comment on the
Hamburger Nnchri, hten Incident.
New YORK, Oct pa dispatch to
The Herald from Paris says: Two OF
the most conservative of the Paris
papers Figaro, the representative
par excellence of the bourgeoise of
France, and The Gaulois, the organ OF
Royalist society-publish sharp attacks
on Prince Bismarck on account OF the
revelations regarding the Russia-Ger-
man relations in the hamburger Mach
richten, for which he is held response
BILE.
The Figaro says that the events in
which Bismarck is concerned now can
only be qualified as posthumous since
his fall from power he cannot be con-
tent to have no say in the less important
affairs of his country. The predominant
idea of Bismarck's' administration was
to make use of Russia to crush the
the western powers. Napoleon's al
lance with England in the Crimean
war for the benefit of England, served
as a pretext for attracting Russian in
fiuences within the orbit of the German
foreign policy, where they remained
till after 1870.
The results of the Franco.G German
war terminated by the treaty of Frank
fort, opened Russia's eyes, and the
views of the court of St. Petersburg
were modified on account of the condl-
tions Of the equilibrium and her future
interests.
VIII BE Dificult Of Explanation.
If the affirmations of the Hamburger
Nachrichten to the effect that a secret
treaty existed until 1890 between Ger
many and Russia, assuring the neutral
ity of the latter in the event of war
with France, are false, they are merely
criminal, disgraceful and impotent
manoever; if true, what must Austria
think, who only made an alliance with
Germany on condition that she be aided
in her rivalry against Turkey?
The Vienna papers demand explana-
tions which it will be difficult for the
German government to give.
The Figaro concludes: "Prince Bis
marck ought to furnish these explana-
tions, either confessing that he is an
impostor or that he has not foreseen the
consequences Of his own policies, which
have been to ALLEVIATE Russian sympa-
| thies from German egotism.
Will Weaken the Triple Alliance.
The Gaulois says Prince Bismarcks
attitude lacks dignity, and will min.
imize him in the eyes of posterity. Il
he is really the author or inspirator of
the Hamburger Nachrichten revela-
tions he has very short memory or
speculates on the creduhty or ignorance
of his readers. He should remember
that the alliance of the three emperors
was broken in 1856, when Alexander III
withdrew on account of intrigues to
put German prince ON the Bulgarian
throne.
He must be aware that it was the
simultaneous publication in Berlin and
Vienna in 1888 of the treaty concluded
by him with Austria in 1889 that de-
cided Russia and France to come to-
gether. ..s ~
The Gaulois does not see where
Caprivi's responsibility comes in, and
concludes that the main effect of the
Hamburger Nachrichten article will be
to weaken the triple alliance, which is
already falling to pieces. The Gaulois
adds that it would be curious and in
structive if he, whose object was to
isolate France, should witness the
isolation Of his own country. and be
Obliged to admit he himself contributed
to it. es