Ellsworth American., 1913-11-19
Diplomatic Secret
b. EDWIN D TUCKER

Eorblng a great deal Of attention. when
one Of them said:
II have heard, a curious story about
Napoleon MS Mexican scheme re-
peated number Of times ih different
forms / wonder which Is correct."
"Do you refer" asked n white headed
octogenarian. ito the case of how the
ezar beaded of the French emperorY
al do
We'll. then. | can give you the true
version of that story, for was directly
connected with what occurred.
81 was very young AZ the time but
not too young to be connected with
the American legation at the court OF
st. James. One evening at a reccp-
ton member of the British cabinet
accosted me. though l had had no
Introduction to him. and after pre-
llminary conversation on ordinary top
les drew me into a small room where
we Were alone and said to me:
"'You have been mentioned to me as
| person fitted to be the repository OF
an important diplomatic secret--indecd,
to carry out an important diplomatic
move
HE then pledged me TO secrecy, Inn
| pressing me with the Importance cf
locking within myself what be was
about to say to me. after which be pro-
ceeded:
"'Our good queen. with her usual
sense and foresight. is in favor OF
| permitting you Americans to settle
your quarrels among yourselves. The
emperor OF the French. who must be
constantly aiverting the mind Of the
various factions he rules from himself.
has some scheme with reference TO
making Judgment somewhere IN
1 North America. He is imporfuuing us
to join him in ipterv~ntion with view
to separate the United States into two
sections We do not wish to antago-
nize him by refusal. and we do not
wish TO enter into any arrangement
| with a view to interfering between the
| states
| There Is power which would
/ gladly block the enperor's game did
that power know that the game was
4 hAAAs1lAE AFAEA u tAtfsEs&s ne tAAE
since the Crimean war does not love
France. and he does not love England,
| We cannot join Russia In a coalition
TO prevent Intervention. Should the
cxar know that France Is endeavoring
| TO induce US TO join her Ia her pro-
! posed scheme he would at once take
measures TO prevent Il. This Is ex-
IA a
render a refusal OF Napoleop's request
needless and leave Us to remain neu-
tral In American affairs
Diplomatic secrets sometimes leak
ont without any one being aware of
where the leak is located. You and
know exactly where this leak Is. and 1t
must reInain between you and me
alone
You except President Lincoln, OF
courseY
"'0f course | do not There Is but
one person besides yourself who may
know it,
"'Mr. Sewanlr
no: the czar OF Russia
1.-The czari How can l reach himT
THAT must leave to you. Con-
sidering that you are a member ~ the
American embassy here. do not thiak
you should baye much trouble
but my chief. the American am
bassadorr
"'He. too. must remain ignorant
You must leave London without his
| knowledge
"'But the proof for the car of the
truth Of nay storyT
81 will furnish you with that
II left London the next morning be-
| fore dawn armed with the proof that
had been promised My mother was
at the time in Berlin. and l forged
| telegram from her begging me to come
| to her II expected TO see her alive.
| This telegram | showed TO my chief
and was given a leave of absence.
| did not go to Berlin. but did 20 TO ST.
| Petersburg On reaching the capital
went to the minister Of foreign affairs.
showed him papers substantiating my
position with the American embassy at
London and informed him that I had
| information concerning a cabal to
1 interfere IN tue dIdtir VI tiit anhtiFau
republic, but that | was not permitted
to submit IL except TO his majesty.
"The war between the American
| states was at that time engaging the
attention of the world. and the czar
\ was only too glad of information con-
corning IL. He promptly accorded me
private interview and listened 10 me
attentively TIL | had reached the end
| OF my story. when he asked for my
| proofs | produced them. and be was
both surprised and convinced He
| nsked me how ] came by them. and
refused TO tell. That ended the inter
\ view
| Returning to London. ! reported to
my chief that my mothers health was
much improved. and settled down to
| my daily duties. met the cabinet