Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-25

at whose bidding he
had gone to Europe to
sacrifice his millions for an impractica-
bic ideal
OF the gigantic scope OF the new
secret movement he had, however,
formed tolerably clear idea. Work
Inc in different countries and under
various guises, it aimed always at tn"
various end: the revival OF the mon
archical idea in Europe, and, IN par
ticular, the restoration of the ancient
lines of kings. In England its object
was to discredit the monarchy by
stirring up social disquietude, with
the ultimate end of replacing the
IIanoverian dynasty by represents
tive of the Stuarts IN France, lSn0r-
ing the Bonapartes, 1t aimed to revive
the glories of the Orleans family. In
Sweden it supported the heirs Of the
Vasa dynasty again the plebeian de-
scendants of Napoleon's marshal,
Rernadotte of peasant birth, who oc-
cupied the throne 1t was for N2noel
In Portugal, for the Sobiesh dynasty
in Poland, for the heirs to the old
Tuscan and Sicilian kingdoms in
Italy. And everywhere it was sup
ported by men of the highest rank
and position, who had turned against
democracy and looked back with low
ing reverence upon the traditions OF
the past.
At the head of this formidable CON
federacy was believed to be Alfonso
of Spain, that irresponsible, boyish
ruler whose adventurous, chahnS
spirit typifed the revolt of the Ola
against the new. Himself Bourbon
and close friend of the deposed
Manoel of Portugal he led the lesser
potentates who were allied with him
Against this league of the Reds as
they were contemptuously termed by
their opponents, the kings and states
men of the more powerful countries
had allied themselves in union
which, supposed to have its headquar-
ters in Paris, was called the BLACK
cabinet The struggle was none the
less profound because knowledge Of
It was confined almost entirely to the
chancelleries Of Europe.
On the fifteenth morning after his
arrival in Paris Jean Rosny callel
upon Paul Lane at his hotel After
an informal chat the Frenchman sud
denly became very serious.
you were saying to me only yes
terday, my friend, that you feared
we cared more for your millions than
for yourself" he said You have
begged that you be permitted to dis
play your worth in our movement, to
make yourself invaluable to our
cause. The league is in urgent need
of one who shall 60 on delicate mis-
sion. You speak Spanish as well as
you do French, / believer
YES" answered Paul. Il spent two
years in Buenos Aires as representa-.
tive of my fathers firm"
Excellent my dear Paul. Then let
me describe the situation to you. iog
are aware that events of moment are
impending in Morocco? You have
read of them in the newspapers, of
course, and have made no sense out
of them, as with US all. England
France, Spain, and Germany seem
to be striving each to obtain posses
sion of that unhappy country, The
real situation is this:
England and France are united In
their opposition to Germany. Each
side is desperately endeavoring tc
checkmate the other there. Mean
while Spain-our poor Spain, who
alone of all nations is entitled to the
reversion of the Moorish empire-is
powereas in the face of her mighty
antagonists. Her claims are put for
ward by Alfonso for a purpose as YET
unsuspected: to set Europe by the
ears. In others words, If Spain car
induce the Sultan to assign to her the
protectorate Of the country, England
and France will be at the throat Of
Germany, whose puppet they believe
Spain to be. And so 1t Is necessary
to induce the Sultan to sign a pro
tectorate over his country to Spain
You understand, Paul?"
"A difficult problem" answered
Paul thoughtfully. Even the Moor
ish Sultan is not gong to barter
away his empire"
"On the contrary" answered
Rosny, "the Sultan breads and fears
France, whose ENJOYS are even now
approaching Fee, the capital, with 1
treaty in their hands. The Sultar
and the Moors still hold a more ex
aggerated idea of the power Of Spair
than she is entitled, fear, to expect
II you can forestall the Frenchmen
you will accomplish all that thu
league asks of you. Of course Spail
will gain nothing by it, but at leas
there will be the chance Of a Euro
pean war and the consequent weak
ening of the power of England ant
Germany, our strongest enemies, no
to speak of the possibility of restor
alton of the Orleans house In France.
Paul Lane was astounded at tn
scheme. Kingdoms and empire
| seemed hut as checker pieces to tn