The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-28
FAMOUS TREATIES.
A0NETCH OF THOSE OF THE NINE
TENTH CENTURY.


One at Midnight That Gave Us Alaska
IN 1895.
Ut time when the world Is likely
to see another treaty that will alter
the boundaries of nations, 1t is well to
.0ok over the great treaties of the CEN
tury. What did they effect?
The first of these began almost with
The century itself and arose from
events connected with Napoleon's sell
zure Of power and his aggressive policy
in EUROPE. 1t is known as the Peace
II Amiens" between Great Britain, Hol-
band. France. and Spain. 1t was face
tiously called "the Peace Of Amiens"
because 1t really provoked war. Its
most notable achievement was to en-
able Napoleon's friends to invite the
French senate to give Napoleon. who
wes then First Consul, some token OF
thu national gratitude of France. The
Senate voted to prolong the First Con-
sul's tenure Of office. The proposition
had but one opponent, Girondist,
who loudly asserted that the first steps
towards . despotism had been thus
taken. and that a fragrant usurpation
threatened the Republic. Lafayette
registered noble mo-" sent the First
CONSUL spirited letter, and ceased the
relations he had hitherto maintained
with Napoleon who had already stirred
ap Q rebellion in Holland, was the mas
tar of Italy, and was now about to be-
sume the master of France. The treaty
was signed March 27. 1902, by the Mar
Quis Of CORVALLIS on the part of Eng
land. and by Joseph Bonaparte on that
Of France, and after long session OF
the Senate in consequence Napoleon
was on August proclaimed in these
terms "The French people name and
tho Senate proclaim Napoleon Bona
parte First Consul for Life"
The London Times" and the whole
British press roared its disapproval.
Napoleon thundered back that If the
English press interfered in the domes-
tic affairs of the French people, that
The nation knew how to respond to
such hagrant impertinence, and would
not be slow to preserve the dignity of
the French name. Accordingly as
Addtngton used to say in after years,
the ink on the treaty of Amiens was
scarcely dry when national pride was
aroused which inperilled the new
peace. The proEptness with which
France challenged the British nation
upon that occasion Is the secret of why
Englishmer Whoever else they may
despise, haye still profound respect
for Frenchmen, and have been very
shy of touching upon their domestic
discords since. The blue envy of the
press had nearly ruined the Empire.
The next in Importance was the
Treaty O. Vienna n 1915. This was
The great council Of the powers which
readjusted lle disturbance caused bv
Napoleon in the affairs of Europe. The
Gar of Russia, the Kings of Prussia
Denmark, Bavaria and Wurtembure
and nearly all the statesmen of emil
hence gathered around the Emperor
srancis of Austria and his more IA
nous minister, Metternich. Metter.
nich by common consent presided
lord Castlereagh represented England
and Talleyrand France. The subordi-
nate ENJOYS and attaches of other
Courts added to host of petty prince
ings whose nominal titles remain. but
whose power have disappeared from
The map of Europe, crowded every ho-
ser or available private residence in
Vienna. They all gathered like yuI-
lures to feed upon the Gagged lion whom
The brutal Sir Hudson Lowe was at
hat time insulting on board of the
3ellerophon en- route to St. Helena.
This assemblage was also likely to end
In renewed war. By the secret un-
Ierstanding after the Battle of Water
90 the allied sovereigns had reserved
% themselves the disposal of all vacant
territory to some of the princes then
out Of job. The Ministers of Aus
tria, England, Prussia and Russia de-
sermined to decide upon all territorial
questions among themselves and only
after so deciding submit them to
srance and the other Powers. This
nearly caused rupture. Talleyrand
On hearing Of the arrangement de-
manded that the whole European con-
cert should meet in open Congress.
But the big Four" continued their
sittings as already arranged. Still 1t
was found impossible to continue.
While Napoleon reigned these powers
were united against him. but now that
the common danger was disposed of
they were no less against each other.
The Congress assembled in Septem-
ber, 1914, and on January 8, 1916, Tai
leyrand's purpose Of breaking Europe
into two halves was only averted by a
secret treaty pledging those powers to
at once take the aeld against Russia
and Prussia in defence Of the Peace
Of Paris. France was Immediately ad-
mitted into "the Big Four" and Europe
assumed those divisions in which 1t re-
NAMED until a United Italy and the
German Empire arose.
Passing over the treaty which ended
the Crimean War, those which ended
~ H.