The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-01

am acting under the confidential in
the courage to put his veto on the policy
of the grand dukes?'
Gin that case your object cam be at
tanned much moro simply. Procure me
a line in the handwriting of Nicholas II
to Francis Joseph, and will undertake e
to deliver it, and to- burn it after
wards with my own hand. - a".
The Russian heaved sight Of
amused resignation.
"You are too deep. for me, M. ":
Very we'll, then, I will tell you" He
bent forward and lowered his voice.
"'Russia is not ready to strike. A
war now would mean the bankruptcy
Of the empire. The others will not !91 be-
lieve this, but I know it. 7 will not
have my carefully laid plans shat
tered by them, for the sake Of a mis-
cradle province like Galicia.
"I am a statesman, not pettifog-
ger. With my railways I am reaching
forward to clutch the great empires
of Asia. China a? is already within my
year yaspi by Year. wien thousand sMa init MIL
lions Of men obey the sceptre Of the
car, these petty European states will
fall like ripe plums into our lap.
The Russian spoke with real emo
tion. If I still retained any faint
strain me from accepting the services
required Of me.
Within three days I found myself
in the palace of Schonbrunn.
Of all my clients Francis Joseph is
the most unapproachablle. Modern
ideas of democratic equality find lit
tie encouragement in the Austrian
Of the German kaiser and the tact
full kindness of the king of England,
the Austrian sovereign's manner af-
fects one disagreeably; it is like
touching a lump Of: ice. Yet, accord
ing to his hghCs, the emperor is graz
those who approach him in his pri-
I found him in his favorite room
overlooking the park. His ajesty did
.. not invite me to be seated in his
presence, an omission which indicated
no unfrien dliness.
II am, pleased to receive you, mon.
sieur," he said, in clear, stately
voice. "The services you have rem
, dered me ,entitle you to ask for an
audience, and I have no doubt your
reason for seeking it is a proper one
Be good enough to state it.
II have taken the liberty Of ask:
might offer your majesty certain in.
) formation about your forthcoming alb
, The emperor could not repress a
slight start. Lifting his eyebrows, he
gazed at me steadily in the face.
. to abdicate,'V he said with a signif
y can't information, Hto six persons only
Two of them. are brother sovereigns
!, two are members Of my own family;
= the other two are the chancellor Of The
9 empire and the prime minister Of
1 = 4 7
: receive your information?'
I I Not one Of the persons in you
9 majesty's confidence has the slightes
Il idea that have heard anything what
u ever on the subject. [ must respect
:. fully beg your majesty not to press N
Z The aged emperor was evidently muc
g disturbed.
! eff what you say is true and I d
must have reached you thru an inter
mediary. That is to say, my purpos
is known to at least eight persons; j
:, short, to the Whole world. =
! I held my tongue. It is the art. b
Q which I have learned most Of my secrets
I After few minutes silent consider
alton, during which the frown on hi
face steadily deepened, his majest
looked at me again. Ss
e What do you wish to tell met
n wish to put your majesty on you
n guard.
g You have done that already, mos
. effeetually,0 he interrupted.
l. / have, come to beg you to distrus
g the assurances you have received, n
matter from what quarter, that you
majesty's abdication will pass O