The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-15
ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.
French Army Officers Charged with
Trying to Overthrow the Cabinet.


Trying to Overthrow the Cabinet.
PARIS, Oct 14.-It is announced here this
morning that a military plot against the
government has been discovered. The Raz.
pen, Aurore and Fetite Republique Fiancais
publish almost identical stories ON the sub
ject. 1t appears that the plot was discov-
cred by a gentleman holding an important
position. The plotters were to have acted
on Saturday during the absence of the min
fster of war, General Chanoine. 1t further
appears that when the government was
warned of the plot the ministers were not
surprised, having already obtained informa-
ton regarding the conspiracy. The Matin
says the plot was not in favor of one of the
pretenders to the throne of France, who
has been talked about for some time, but
was only for the purpose of changing cer-
tain officials Of the government without
touching the presidency. The premier, M.
Brisson, was among those who were not
surprised when notified of the plot. He
promises to take action in the matter.
The government officials refuse to furnish
any information regarding the discovery of
the plot, but it is rumored this afternoon
that the conspiracy involved Prince Louis
Bonaparte, who is colonel of Russian
lancers, and in whose favor his elder
brother, Prince Victor Bonaparte, recently
resigned the leadership of the Imperialist
party 1t is added that certain political per-
sonages handed the premier important docu-
ments, including a cipher dispatch, COM
promising certain military men. The min
lister of war has recalled his announced in
tention of leaving Paris.
The Lberte asserts that the military men
alleged to have been concerned in the con-
spiracy are Generals Boisdeffre and Pelleux.
Attempts, it is added, were also made to
compromise General Zurlinden, the military
governor of Paris, who for short time
was minister of war, but it appears the
present minister of war, General Chanoine,
refused to countenance it.
According to the Jour the rumor of the
plot arose from a forged letter. purporting
to have been sent by General Boisdeffre to
General Zurlinden, containing the words:
Let us be ready for Saturday"
The semi-official Temps this evening mini
mizes the affair and says the officials of the
ministry of war formally deny that plot
existed. The Temps suggests that misin-
depreciation was placed on some of the nu-
merous dispatches now being exchanged be-
tween the different garrisons in connection
with the present movement of troops which
led TO strange reports of plots.
A long and vague semi-official statement
appeared this evening suggesting the vari-
Gus possible motives-such as Dreyfusite
intTigues, or an attempt by the Socialists to
frighten the government into dispensing the
troops that now prevent the success of the
strike-to explain the rumors of military
conspiracy. The mysterious allusionsA how
ever, and the absence of any straightfor-
ward denial tend to encourage the belief
that there must be some ground for the
rumors. especially as the statement men
tions the kilograms alleged TO have been
sent by a French general to Prince Ma
poleon which, it says, it is difficult to be-
lieve possible in view of the control exer-
cised by the telegraph authorities"
The Railroad Workers Union to-day
posted placards ordering strikers to refrain
from violence and informing the public that
if danger threatens the country the strikers
will Immediately return to their posts. The
threatened general strike however, did not
take place. The workmen stopped to read
the placards announcing the strike, but
there was no disorder