Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-27

"'"Sh demonstrating ana general ROOu-
feeling prevailed, General Shelby again
made the offer to raise a force OF 10000
Confederate soldiers for service in sus-
tanning the throne. The Minister admit
tea that other officers of high rank in
me late Confederacy had assured him
that such a force could be easily raised.
But" he added, looking at Shelby and
the committee, "the government Of the
Emperor is not in need of such additional
force The empire is now at peace with
all the world, Juarez himself having left
the country"
Permit me TO suggest" said Shelby,
that the empire will have need of every
soldier we offer It. The French army Will
not remain permanently in Mexico. 1t is
not the purpose, If / understand the posi-
ton, OF the French Emperor to keep an
army here any longer than is absolutely
necessary"
when the necessity for the French
army TO remain no longer exists" replied
the Minister OF War, what need shall
we have for the army you offer?" and
the expression on the faces of the Mexi-
can generals present showed plainly that
they regarded the query as a clincher.
But old Joe Shelby was equal to the
emergency.
''The necessity will then quickly arise"
he said. Mexico is republican and given
10 revolution. Juarez will receive the
moral and material support of republican
America TO such an extent as to enable
him to make bloody war on the empire"
II was a blunt, startling announce
ment from a brave, blunt old soldier, free
from all diplomatic phraseology. The
native generals started as if stung, the
| French staff officer seemed surprised,
and glanced quickly at the War Minister,
who looked both grave and puzzled 1t
is extremely doubtful if any one of them
| ever before heard so much in so few
words fall from human lips. All were
silent for several minutes. and brave old
| Shelby stood there a quiet witness Of the
effect of his words 1t was not known
| then, though shortly afterwards ascer-
tanned, that a member of the Emperor's
personal staff was concealed behind some
| hanging tapestry, whence he could see
| and hear all that transpired In the room
Miramon and Mejia were standing near
] the Minister who turned 10 them and
! spoke a few words in a low tone of voice,
| TO which they responded in Spanish. lie
| then turned TO Shelby and said he would
| see the committee at the same hour
| the next day, whereupon the General
| bowed and the committee withdrew 1t
was plain to us all that the General had
! cast a bomb-shell. The Minister wanted
| TO consult the Cabinet, if not the Empe-
/ ror himself. The committee also con-
| suited. in something like a secret session.,
| and then the General spoke plainly TO
! the effect that the Monroe doctrine
would force the French to evacuate Mex
! leo or fight But" he added, 1--WE must
not tell them so. They would not stand
! that. Bazaine is a brilliant soldier, and
| threats would be thrown away on him.
! we must be careful, therefore, to say
! nothing to wound their military pride.
| The next meeting may settle the matter.
! But the third interview with the Minis
| ter of War resulted only in reference
| of the matter TO the Emperor himself.
Shelby then requested an audience with
| his Imperial Majesty, which the Minister
uromised TO secure for him and the COM
| mittee. adding that the Emperor had al
ready expressed qualification at the as
| surance of support from the Americans.
few DAYS aftar the Minister true to
his promise sent word TO Shelby that
| the emperor would receive the commit
tee at il o'clock the next day. me
| general notified us, and we proceeded 10
| FURNISH up as best we could LOT the
| momentous occasion. None of us had
| ever seen the Emperor, hence we were
| lust little bit interested in the coming
! interview. At the appointed hour the
| committee repaired TO the palace, where
| an officer in a brilliant uniform led the
marty into large waiting-room, In which
| were many French and Mexican officers.
! Mefia and Mramon were there-tWo or
| the best fighters among the native sup
| porters of the throne. The former was
| a little swarthy. cynical fellow, careless
! of dress and fearless of death. The
| latter was a fne-looking man, every
| inch a soldier. with a bit Of the courtier
| I'm his composition. In due time the
Minister of War conducted the commit
! tee into the next room, where stood the
Emperor Macmillan, surrounded by q
| proup of dignitaries of the empire. Mar
shall Bazaine was there as the repre-
sentative of the French empire ana a
| misunderstanding soldier he was. The
Emperor was calm ana dlsnlneu IN ms
| hearing a little above the average height,
"a anparently about 80 years of age.
| Count de None stood by his side TO in
| ternret for him. The presentation was
soon made: the Emperor smilingly bowed
| 10 the committee, as did the French
! NfaYeha1 who was close to his side at
! che moment. Then, without any other
| nreliminaries. Shelby began ms ADDRESS
| a. the Emperor, in which he rendered
| The services of an army of 3O,OU Confede-
rote soldiers in support OF the empire
| His manner was calm, cool, anu CoIleCt-
| ga "a n degree. His language was direct
| nd to the uoint Some of his sentences
| 10 never been forgotten by the writer
| tbongh nearly thirty-three years nave
| avn nv since they were uttered. Said he
Your Majesty, they are veterans OF the
hardest fought war the world mas ever
known. During four years they never
| faltered in their duty, never disooeyed al
| order. They are true as steel to any cause
| ,bev espouse. and would be the bed-rocA
If the empire in any and all emersencles
| I have but to call them, ana they VII
come like leaves blown hither by the
"Rut would not the American Govern
mont object TO such enlistment? the En-
reror asked, interrupting him.
ION the contrary, your Majesty inter
| national law does not forbid such ehIist
ments. 1t would be voluntary indlVi
| dual act which no government can Cd
| tect TO. 1t would net be forefgn army
hence the Monroe doctrine could not ap
n,v n the French army remains here on
Year longer 1t will apply. and the l'VOoc"