New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-06
EUROPEAN PRETENDERS.
THE BoNAPARTE PRINCES AND THE
FRENCH CRTSIS-THE DUKE OF
ORLEANS AND DON JAIME.
Brussels. December

Brussels. December 20
As The capital OF n neutralized State who's.
territories canot be invaded by European armies
Brussels is the natural refuge Of Pretenders
| One OF them has lived here continuously sincs
1886 when the Expulsion act was passed BIZ
the French Chambers. This rs Prince Victor
Napoleon, the head OF the Bonaparte line He
has comfortable house on the Avenue Louise
one OF the broad streets opening out Of the
spacious Boulevard de Waterloo. not far from
the Palace Of Justice. He is not rich. but he has
n well-appointed establishment. with retinue
OF servants. a modest stable with few good
horses and several carriages and other facll.
ties for keeping up appearances He Is A IA
mliar figure on the streets, but not a partcu-
larly impressive one. He does not look Ike q
soldier. and he lacks dignity Of bearing and dis
tinction OF manner. He is Of medium height,
with dark eyes. ford complexion and no no.
ticeable features He is carefully dressed
man Of thrty-six. who seems to have enjoyed
life and the red wines OF Flanders. and not to
have concerned himself deeply either with the
fortunes Of his family or with high affairs Of
State
Prince Victor Napoleon Is well received al the
Belgian Court for he is the son Of Princess
Clotilde as well as OF Prince Napoleon and
maintains close relations with the Italian royal
family visiting his mother and the King every
autumn. The Diplomatic Corps see little OF him.
for he is never at Court on State occasions and
Is entertained at the palace privately. He gives
small dinner parties and receptions. holds
cret conferences with partsans and intriguers
from France, and affects an air OF inscrutabs
mystery. He has recently returned from Paris
where he has been making a brave show OF
activity in consulting With confidential agents
and possibly has talked with two or three dis
affected generals. Nobody in Brussels regards
him as serious conspirator. His proclarna-
tions are considered pistol shots fired in the air;
his play Of intrigue is ridiculed as Napoeonc
burlesque He stands for what remains OF legit-
macy in the Bonaparte cause; but he Is man
Of pith without force Of character or either
courage or talent for great affairs.
When the Prince Imperial died In South Africa
there were discussions among the Bonapartists
respecting the succession Prince Napoleon was
the legitimate har to the pre'ensions Of the line.
but his elder SON. Prince Victor was the En-
nress's favorite and had been named by the
Prince Imperial as his successor. The Bona
nartists were divided in allegiance between
father and SON Prince Victor did not openly
encourage personal support at the outset. ana
four wears after the Prince Imperial's death ac-
companied his father 10 England ana PAID
State visit to the Empress Eugene; but during
the following year he received a small Inherit
ance which increased his feeling OF independ-
ence and he became nj once the leader OF the
Victorian faction Upon his expulsion from
France two years afterward he took up his resi-
dence in Brussels. separating himself from MS
father whom he did not again see for i've years
Seven years ago he summoned TO his faith
ers deathbed In Rome.
While Prince Victor Napoleon was In revolt
rit, he
Ronapartist house he has suffered himself from
the divided allegiance Of political adherents HIS
brother. Prince Louis Napoleon, who Is two
years younger than himself. Is strongly pre-
ferred as leader. He Is soldier, who IS
nonular with the Russian star. and mekes
marked impression as a man Of force whsrever
he goes The resemblance which some OF his
followers affect to trace between the Prince ana
the great Napoleon is fancful; but he mas nns
military presence. a well-trained mind' ana an
air Of self-conidence and faith IN destiny be-
fitting a Pretender He is frequent visitor IN
prussels where he ia regarded as the rising
hone Of a ruined house. The Empress Eugene,
IN England who will be seventy-three IN tho
spring is not too old to have a preference iOr
the more promising member OF the iine' ana
Princess Mathde Bonaparte has mace pet OF
her ravorite nephew and is expected 10 name
Prince Louis Napoleon or Prince Napoleon. a.
he nrefers 70 be styled is a man Of action. per-
coma grata in Russia and destined TO have
large Inheritance It Is not strange that facuon
leaders. who urged Prince Victor Napoleon 10
onnose his father have turned against him ana
are secretly favoring the younger orothers suit
There has been no open breach between the
brothers. They ride and drive together IN brus-
sells when Prince Louis Napoleon Is not on MILL
tary duty in Russia. and they make p'ous PHI
grimage annually TO Italy to see their motnef'
Princess Clotilde. Outwardly they are on the
best OF terms but Prince Victor would naruu
ba human ~ he were not envious Of his brothers.
ronutation for martial spirit and reckless ccur.
900 For that reason ne Is believed by keen
observers in Brussels to have determined to take
holder line in political affairs than he has for-
merly done and to prove that he Is capable OK
being a soldier Of fortune. Heretofore no ma
done nothing except to rebel against his father
and to live we'll and grow stout In BrusseiA
II was whispered ut one time that he had ex-
pressed his Willingness to marry Princess lss-
belle. one of the sisters OF the Duke OF Orleanh
and in this way to unite the fortunes OF the
Bonapartists and Roynlists. This project, no
seriously entertained It. was a proof Of good
taste rather than political Judgment. for the
Princess is handsome graceful and vivacious
but too wise to compromise the position or tho
Orleans family by fantastic alliance with .
Bonaparte Prince
Prince Victor Napoleon has not lacked au-
dacity in visiting Paris during the last fortnight
and in comforting with his chief supporters 70
spectng the chances of an impending coup
d'etat II Is currently believed that encouF-
aged by the neglect OF the Government 70 ar
rest him, he intends to return TO Paris after
Christmas and TO be on the ground when tho
Dreysus affair reaches its final stage 1t Is not
easy 70 perceive the precise bearings OF tnls
irrepresslble conflict between civil and military
authority upon his personal fortunes The new
wear may bring fresh Ministerial crisis. the