Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-19
M. DE BLOWITZ DEAD
PARIS CORRESPONDENT OF THE
LONDON TIMES.
He Was a Powerful Factor in Euro
pean Politics-Sketch Of
His Career.

A dispatch from Paris last night says:
Henri Georges Stephane Adolphe Opper de
Blowitz, for many years correspondent Of
the London Times in Paris. died here this
morning NJ. de Biowitz experienced an at
tack Of apoplexy a few days ago. He was
born in 1892
The retirement OF M. de Blowitz, the
veteran correspondent Of the London
Times took place on November 10. 1902.
ana was one Of the sensations Of the day
in Europe. M. de Blowitz's connection with
the great London daily was felt in more
than one European crisis. Much Of the
good feeling between France and England
was due to his tact and wisdom and his
power
Speaking Of the beginning Of his Journal
istic career, M. de Blowitz on one occa-
sion said:
I'm 1871, when was living in Marseilles.
the commune was proclaimed there on
March g. and the city was in a grotesque
state of anarchy and disorder. AS I was
then a naturalized Frenchman, I felt it
my duty to assist my adopted country as
well as / could. and forthwith offered my
services to General e. de la Villeboignet,
who had been assigned to the difficult task
OF restoring order.
"The post and telegraph offices were in
the hands OF the commune, the members
of which suppressed every letter and de-
tanned every telegram which might have
informed the regular government at YER
sailles Of the frightful state of affairs in
the great southern city. I had just leased
fiat belonging to my wife to the Eastern
Telegraph Company. which had a special
wire to Dram. l secretly waited upon the
local manager Of the Eastern Telegraph
Company and obtained his permission to
make junction between his wire and that
nS md irhf
when the Marseilles revolutionists thought
they had a complete hold of the wires, l
threw ladder from neghboring house,
reached by the roofs Of the offices of the
Eastern Telegraph Company, and opened
secret communication with the outside
world
'The Lyons Office responded, placed me in
communication with Versailles. and I i'm
the communists.
Two days later the regular troops burst
into the city and recovered the prefecture,
which had been the headquarters Of the in
SUI gents. Fighting followed, and the next
day the commune was overthrOwn.
AS reward for my services General de
la Villeboignet appointed me to report per-
sonally to President Theirs. I found the
latter on his knees porting over some maps
Of Paris. He looked up as I came in, and
said: Oh, yes. you have come from Mar
settles. but I have no time to hear your
report Go and see Calmon.'
Il, therefore. called on M. Calmon under
secretary Of the minister Of the interior.
He treated me rather coolly, paying little
heed to what l said. for he cared much
less to know those who had done their
duty than the men who neglected 1t.
was very much disguised, and, cutting
short what had to say, left him, regret
ing that had taken so long a journey to
meet such disappointment.
Il intended to return to Marseilles as
soon as possible and two days later called
n Gov ,nI1
To my surprise he greeted me cordially,
saying that he was in deep anxiety on
my first call, but that he was then over
the difficult part and ready to hear what
services in Marseilles, saying he had re-
ceived letters describing the part I had
taken In opening up communications with
the government.
settles, and. in conclusion. he urged me to
remain in Paris, saying that he would soon
find some use for me.
Il yielded to his desire. Later. on July
I'll Mr.. Frederick Marshall told me that
Lawrence Oliphant, special correspondent
OF the London Times. was seeking some
one who could handle the Paris end of the
work, Mr.. Hartmann. his colleague, being
should apply for the place. This I was
glad to do, as 1t relieved me Of the un.
pleasant necessity Of reminding M. Theirs
of his promises.
caneo OH Onpnant ana Hardmann. who
pressed me to begin at once I hesitated.
and they asked, rs 1t the remuneration Won
expected me to mention?'
Il assured him that such was not the
case. at the same time asking for COPY of
The Times of that issue. This surprised
Oliphant. who asked me if 1t was possible
had never heard of the London Times. 1
replied that l was quite familiar with the
paper, but, having always been told that I
ought to write for roomy journal, want
ed to the width of the columns Oil
plant broke out laughing at this. and the
contract was closed then and there. AL
though this was my first experience in jour-
recommendation on account of my large ac-
quaintance among French politicians, and
the friendship existing between M. Theirs
and l as result of my services In Mar
settles.
II was 80 well pleased with my new place
that resolved to spend the rest of my
days in the journalistic profession