The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-17

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while. Every eye in the room was
turned on the Austrian. and a profound
silence reigned for a few minutes.
Macmillan was as calm as a May
morning. He little dreamed that his
empire, his own life. in fact, then hung
in the balance. Speaking calmly he
thanked the general and the committee
for their offer Of support and promised
to consider IL. DE None interpreted his
reply. after which the general n the
committee bowed low and withdrew
from the audience room followed by a
number of French and Mexican gener-
ais. In the ante-room they questioned
members of the committed freely con-
corning the Monroe doctrine and soon
learned more about 1t than they ever
knew before.
In the audience room the emperor m
the French marshal turned to Maury.
The old geographer of the seas vas
known the world over. His breast was
covered with the medals OF every gov-
in Europe. In reply To ques-
tons put to him by Macmillan and
Bazaine he confirmed every statement
made by the intrepid Shelby. A week
passed and the committed began to
wonder whether they were to get any
reply at all. IL was known that all the
prominent Mexican generals were hold
Ing conference with the minister of
war daily. Meiia and Miramon were
the fDOSt dCtlNf ones. SntIDy tDulu 10
naught but wait. Then a messenger
came To him from the wal minister.
asking him to call at his earliest con-
venience. He went at once and alone.
Mejia and Miramon were with the min
lister. and all three shook hands with
him, after which they took cigars and
sat down at a table. The minister
then proceeded to explain the situation
and the decision of the emperor i'm re-
gard to the offer made by the general,
which was To this effect: That the EN-
pire was an established fact, and well
received by the people: that such an
army as had been offered was not and
would not be needed, as the empire was
then at peace with all the world: that
IL was believed the American govern
ment was not disposed to interfere I'm
the affairs of any neighboring nation,
end that any differences that might
arise could be adjusted through diplo-
latte channels; that the Mexican peo-
pie could and would sustain the impe-
rial government; that any regular ar
my composed OF other than Mexican
soldiers would be displeasing to the
people: that IL the Americans would
enlist In Mexican regiments and serve
under Mexican officers the imperial
government would be pleased to accept
their offer of service.
Shelby was astonished at what he
ntdTu. but 1SttItu calmly tll tnt HILL I
lister had ceased speaking. Then he
and looked hard at Miramon N
Mejia. He recognized their handiwork
I'm he decision of the emperor. He
saw that as Mexicans they feared the
power of such an army of veterans over
whom they could have no control, n
had. therefore. opposed II. But that
was not the time or place to tell them
so. Turning to the war minister. he
1T Is not for me to say aught of the
emperor's decision. | regret IL more
than ] can say. He has decided from
his point of view. From my point of
view il he does not return to Europe
the French army goes he will
go down to death with his empire"
'Caramba! Never, Never" cried Me-
fla. as both he and Miramon sprang to
their feet. The Mexican army will
the empire triumphantly
all the world"
The Mexicans themselves will de-
stroy it," said Shelby. very coolly fac
main faithful to your oath of allegiance
to the throne will be shot to death"
we are used to being shot at" re-
dejia. Miramon smiled but said
nothing. Shelby turned to the minister
and said:
our people cannon enter MEXICAN
They speak English only.
and their mode Of living is such that
IL is utterly impossible for them to ac-
cept the suggestion you make
Half an hour later he was repeating
to the committee the result of the in
terview-the rejection of our offer. 1T
Is now every man for himself with u.s."
he added. DO the best you can to
make living. but say nothing against
the empire. The emperor has made
a mistake fatal mistake-but 1 think
he believed IL was all for the best in
terests of his government. 1t Is i'm
possible to believe otherwise"
The ~confederates held together as
long as they could, and gradually dis
persed in various directions i'm quest of
Some returned to the
states, others settled at Cordova, a col
ony of confederates. and still others
employment in the capital. Shell
by himself went into business as a
.freighter and gave employment to as
many OF his comrades as he possibly
could. He saw his prediction fulfilled
In the return of the French army to
France. Mejia and Miramon then fig
ured as leaders of the imperial forces.
Juarez returned and began hammer
ing the empire with relentless. logged
p~ertinacity. His forces constantly in
creased. while those of the empire as
steadily decreased. At Queretaro the
empire fell through the treachery of
one of the native supporters of the
and a few weeks later the I'M
Austrian was shot to death out
side the walls of the town. with Mira
mon on his right n Mejia On his left.
The jealous counsel of those two men
brought him to that end. and IL was
well that they shared IL will him.. His
of ShplhN'S offer was one pf
the strange fatalities of history. the
like of which has no parallel I'm the an
nails of nations.