New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-30

Empire that should include Spain and all Span
ish possessions began to fit before the French
imagination.
Such thought does not appear to have en-
tered the mind 81 German statesmen II they
had thought such an achievement possible they
could have supported Leopold on the Spanish
throne and left France the option II declaring
war or not as she chose But they were aware
that Prussia and Spain alone and not united
Germany would have 70 wage such war. The
first appeal from Spain met by fat re-
fusal. the next by statement that Leopold
could accept only with the express permission
OF both the Emperor Napoleon and King Will
lam Trndismsyed the Spaniards made a third
appeal and this time In such way that King
William was obliged to take notice Of II as tho
head of the house Of Hohenzollern. In the
family consultation Of the magnates Of that
house the significant thing is that Bismarck
was present and now for the first time openly
advocated Leopold's candidacy. Won SySel
minnzes the importance OF this fact But
comparison with other diplomatic achievements
Of Bismarck Will show that this affair had now
worked around to the point FOR which he always
aimed in his contests with France. While the
French people were stirred with bitter SUE
plclon he had succeeded in arousing The rather
slow German public 10 the question why the
French We're neddling in tho affairs Of the
Spanish nation and p German prince. AS In he
case OF Luxembourg. he had got the Germans
everywhere TO talking about subject that in
terested them all as Germans. and not merely
as Prussians or Saxons or Swabians. Having
the pieces on the board in position that salts
fed him. he retired to Varzn with what Won
sybel calls q tedious indisposition." and his
l.1ta .;.l
for long time.
Again the Spanish crown refused in be
half Of Prince Leopold. and again. after Bis
marck returned 10 Berlin. Marshal Prim re-
newed hi. request this time with a direct appeal
10 Bismarck The latter still favored the nego-
tiation. but cautioned the Marshal to do bust
ness with the Prince himself and not with the
Prussan Government Finally Prn obeyed
this Injunction. He made sure Of the Cortes
first then he made his offer again to Prince
Leopold, who accepted 1t, this time without re-
curing the consent OF either Napoleon or King
William With this proceeding nobody pretend
ed 10 be satisfied except the Prince and the
Marshal, and perhaps the Spanish monarchIsts
generally. KING William expressed annoyance
and resignation; resentment developed in Paris
Immediately. From this moment the Duke of
GramOnt took the lead in France He seems to
have moved upon the lines which Bismarck an
ticpated. The Prusslan policy had not been to
allay Gramont's irritation. but to provoke 1t to
ndefensibe acts. With the perils Of war in
prospect statesmen are supposed to be guided
not by their intutions. but by proofs Prussia
had prma facie appearance Of innocence in
the whole affair OF Leopold that would delight
a trained casust. willy Minister would prob
ably have awaited another move OF his opponent
rather than to act on what was automatically
only a suspicion. But Gramont felt 'intuitive-
ly" that this was project Of the INSCRIPTIONS
Berlin policy. and ne met it by two little news
paper articles in quick succession which fixed
in the minds of his countrymen all the suspi-
cions which he entertained. A prompt denial