The Washington herald., 1908-06-07

record or the confidential negotiations
which, as King Victor Emmanuers prime
minister, he had conducted with Bismarck
in those days. Bismarck was beside him
self with rage. being unable TO deny the
facsimile copies Of his confidential cor
respondence. and urged in vain the Ital-
ian government 20 punish the general.
The Roman authorities, however, did not
dare to go to any such length. and con-
tented themselves with securing the en-
actment of law providing a years i'm
prisonment for any statesman or politi-
clan guilty of the betrayal of state Sc
crets
Then there was the French statesman
Flourens, who, after being ousted from
the premiership, actually published In the
columns of the Paris Figaro the sub
stance Of the confidential reports sent
to the French foreign Office from the
French Embassy at Berlin during his
own tenure Of Office as minister OF for
eign affairs, as we'll as during that Of
his predecessor. OF course. all this was
very interesting reading. but IL was also
source OF intense embarrassment to
the French government, that being OBJ
viOusly the object which FlOurens had
IN view, since MS ANOWtu PURPOSE WAS
20 show that his successor In Office and
chief political adversary, Jules Ferry.
had during his previous administration
endeavored to establish an alliance with
Germany.
Finally there was the case of Count
bassador at Paris, frequently received
Instructions from Blsmark that were
dramatically opposed to those given
him in person by old Emperor william.
When at length harassed into rendering
his resignation, he removed from the
archives Of the embassy several OF his
own letters, as well as those which he
had received, for the purpose OF show
ing the Kaiser how impossible it was 70
reconcile the instructions OF his majesty
with those OF the chancellor. the dis
appearance Of these papers was at once
communicated TO Prince Bismarck by
one OF the secretaries OF the embassy.
Bismarck, realizing the extent 10 which
his own position with the Emperor
would be shaken II the latter were 70
learn that he had been sending Arnim
instructions opposed 10 those OF his
majesty Immediately determined upon
the disgrace OF the count. and caused
his arrest on the charge OF having
stolen from the archives state papers.
obtaining the Emperor's consent 70 this
extreme measure by a story which may
or may not have been true. 10 the effect
that the count had made use OF state
secrets in order 20 speculate on the
Paris Stock Exchange Arnim. despair
Ing OF a fair trial. managed 10 get out
on bail, and 10 escape TO Switzerland.
where, goaded 10 fury by the treatment
which he had received, especially by
the police perquisition OF his papers.
and the indignity OF his arrest. proceed
ed 90 publish. In the form Of pamphlet.
entitled Pro Nlhilo" the dispatches
and confidential papers which he had
removed from the German embassy al
Paris, and which he had been accused
OF stealing. That. Of course, sealed his
doom, convinced the old Emperor Of hts
guilt in respect 10 all the charges
brought against him by Prince Bis
narck, and secured for him a sentence.
en- contumacien. 10 a long term OF I'm
prisonment, which he only escaped by
remaining abroad until his death.
In conclusion. / would ask. Is not the
United States government in somewhat
the same predicament as that Of Great
Britain with regard 20 its lack Of leg
islation necessary 10 provide for the
adequate punishment Of the divulgatio
OF confidential information pertaining
TO the state, and for the punishment OF
those who are engaged in the purchase
and In the sale of the official secrets OF
Uncle Sam?
Copyright, 1908. by the Brentwood Company