The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-21
new LEADER IN FRANCE
Victor Napoleon Hailed as the
Coming Savior.
THE IDOL OF TIE B0NAPARTISTS
The Pickle FFenchmen again Long for a
Bonaparie Regime The New Napoleon
May BE q Man of Destiny-France Needs
bot a Word to Rise to His Welcome
May Come to Claim His Alleged Birth
right-Pesee Hangs on His Decision

risht-Pesee Hangs on His Decision
Paris, Feb. i.-Gradually making Itself
heard with greater and greater distinct
ness above the babble OF the public here
is a name that has had much to 10 with
the history Of France. the name OF the
man OF destiny Napoleon.
Their have been Napoleons who have
taken their allotted place in the world
since the days Of St. Helena and have
played their little parts without adding
Ulster 10 the name, but Frenehmen have
not yet grown TO look upon the breed as
one whose greatness comes only from
the reflected glory Of an ancestral man
o. might. There are too many glorious
achievements associated with the name Of
Napoleon for the magic Of it to have died
away. Prince Victor Napoleon has learned
as much lately.
What the knowledge means TO Europe
the Immediate future will probably re-
veal France reeds a change OF some
sort. The nation is Disguised with itself
Disguised and dismayed at the discovery
that rottenness exists where France prid-
ed herself her national pillar stood. The
civil and military are arraigned against
each other. The nation is in a state of
suspense. 1t is an honor when the right
man can sway the situation one way or
the other and make or mar the prosperity
OF the people. Where is the man?
Answer here both royaIists and imee-
rialists. Prince Victor Napoleon! And the
answer seems to have struck a popular
note, for the name of Victor Napoleon is
being heard on every side. He is discussed
as eagerly as though the fiat had gone
forth that France must cease to be u
republic and Victor Napoleon be ruler
here. II was thought that the Prince was
but poor representative OF the illustrious
FAMILY. He was supposed to be an idle,
fopplsh individual, with no other mission
III life save TO lounge around Brussels,
but the eyes of the people here have been
opened by the appearance of an interview
In one of the newspapers which rings
with force and energy The shuddering
possibility Of another NapoIeonic era is
suggested by the favor with which the
utterances credited TO Prince Victor have
been received here. The Prince talks eau
tiously but plainly, expressing adherence
al the shifty iniquity of the French Off
GERS who have brought disrepute upon the
army and made Frenchmen objects of
contempt to the world in order that an
unpopular man might be banished from
the army.
His Word Means War;
Bearing name that is still idolized
among the bulk of the French people,
Prince Victor is a man whom the anti
royalist element here do well to fear.
viii he make bold coup by leaving Brus-
sells Tor Paris? The question is asked
anxioUsly by ole class, eagerly by an
other What does the Prince himself saw
The peace of Europe depends upon his
good judgment at this critical time
He was seen in Brussels and the mo-
mentous question put 10 him point blank.
Here is his answer: When / shall con-
slider that the day has come to make my
voice heard, ii will not be in an inter
view or through a newspaper article that
shall do so, but in the only way left
ting a Prince the chief of a great party.
l shall say what / have TO say ana sign
my words with the glorious name l am
proud to bear-NapOleon.
The words have rung through France
This is the man whom some have classed
as weak and idle aristocrat Of doubtful
mental p0wersi IL was a little speech,
such as France dearly loves. and it has
sound throughout the land. The French
have begun TO inquire about the Prince.
They learn that he lives quietly in Brus-
sells. where he is very popular, and that
he is surrounded by an atmosphere of
Bonapartism- correspondent, in describ-
ing his residence, writes:
Reveres Napoleon I.
while l was speaking TO the Prince /
cast a glance around his study, a real
museum of NapoleOnic relics. In two
huge glass cases on each side of his table
are exhibited a cashmere shawl brought
back by Napoleon l from Egypt, one Of
his swords, one of his historical gray
coats and small hats, the Saddle he rode
at the battle Of AusterlitZ, ana his uni
form as First COnsul-a unique souvenir,
of which no duplicate exists. The Prince
has also a number of souvenirs from ST
Helena, the desk and arm chair used by
the first Emperor, as well as the sacred
vases of the chapel in st. Helena Chief,
however, among those relics must be men
toned the first Napoleon's commission as
Lieutenant of Artillery, signed by Louis
XVI and by Marechai de Segur. the hen
Minister of War. Prince Victor also pos
sesses 4 unique collection of books on the
imperial era, which he has thoroughly
studied, history being one Of his favorite
hobbies. The library adjoins his study.
He certainly has the appearance of a
scholar; his eyes are most characteristic.
In repose they express sadness; when he
speaks on a subject which interests him
they show intense thought, and when he
speaks of his ancestors they glow with
pride.
After taking leave of my princely host
l stopped 10 admire the marbles which
stand in the vestibule outside his study,
one of them a magnificent full-lens.h
statue Of Napoleon l by Cavellier, a mod
ern artist Along the staircase are the
portraits of all the brothers OF the great
Napoleon and souvenirs of mis- wars
The imperialists here are moving heaven
and earth 10 fan the smOldering spark of
the French peoples sentiment into
flame and 10 keep the name OF Victor
Napoleon ever before the public. Just a
little more pressure and the barrier be-
tween peace and eternal strife will be
broken and then history may repeat it
self in France Win il be the history that
began with the whit Of srapeshot?' is
another Man of Destiny coming 10 France?
These questions interest Frenchmen far
more than the Egyptian iiaseo or pos
sible war with England.
A Throne Worth Millions