Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-20

the uuSS OF the Frunco-Irufrihh Nuf
when Elihu Benjamin washburn,
United states minister to France,
found himself in a situation almost
parallel TO that which now confronts
Ambassador Herrick.
Mr.. washburn was appointed envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipo-
Tertiary to France by President Grant
in 1859. The appointment followed
his resignation from the office OF Sec
retary OF state. resignation occa-
stoned by III health. fIe represented
the United states In Paris for eight
and half years. The period, TO use
his own words. comprised one OF the
most interesting epochs OF history,
and embraced the siege and commune
Of Paris"
A Heavy Responsibility.
In "Recollections Of Minister 10
France" two volumes published in
1887. the year Of his death. Mr.. Wash
burn has given us vivid story of the
trying times which followed the
French declaration OF war against
Germany. He alone OF all the off
cial representatives OF the great pow
ers remained at his post and with re-
markable GOODNESS and tact, consid-
ering that he had Just entered upon
career which was new TO him, took
care not only of those of his own
nationality in, the capital but, at the
! request Of the German ambassador,
also the subjects Of the North Ger
man confederation, the Saxons and
the subjects OF Hesse and Saxe-co-
burg Gotha. OF this he wrote:
Count solms, charge daffaires of
the North German confederation. sent
TO the United States legation the most
valuable OF their archives, upon
which | placed our seal. l also took
charge Of the German embassy In
Paris, and placed over II the Ameri-
can flag. The concierge of the en-
bassy having been forced to leave, /
placed IL under the charge Of two
young and trustworthy Americans,
who had been residents of my own
congressional district in Illinois. These
young men courageously occupied the
embassy until the close OF hostiiities;
and, though sometimes threats were
made, there was never any violence
Offered to the embassy and its guar
dams.
The French went into the conflict !
confident of victory, feeling IL fore
gone conclusion that the war would |
be simply sort Of triumphal march |
upon Berlin. How badly they were
mistaken is a matter OF history.
Events Preceding the Siege.
Following the proclamation of the
republic Of France. In September, |
1870, which sudden overturning OF |
the dynasty of Napoleon was accom- |
plished without a drop of blood being
shed and without disorder or un-
usual excitement. the United states
recognized the new nation and Mr.. \
Washburn retained his post in his
new capacity. Depression. occasioned /
by the repeated reverses of the
French arms. gave way to renewed
ardor and enthusiasm and il was be-
iieved that 1t would be only a mat
ter Of days before reviyifled Frame
would sweep the invading Germvns
back over the border. The hysterical
optimistic Parisians INDUCED In all
kinds OF frivolous and silly prophe-
eies and wasted valuable energy pa
rading the streets under the tricoior.
Liberty. equality and fraternity were
the watchwords Of the day when cav
airy, artillery and infantry would
have been more to the point.
suddenly, however. Paris reused
itself to the realization that Bismarck
was hammering at its gates. septen-
Der rs, 1870, these gates were closed
and the great city gradually discover
ed that the invading army meant
business. Day after day and week
after week Mr.. washburn recorded
in his diary every event which came
UNDER his observation. There was
endless and monotonous talk of sor-
ties. wild rumors, wilder suggestions
and wilder hopes. During the first
few days of its investiture. however,
Paris went on its usual calm and
way-even the streets were
sprinkled and the avenues were
thronged with gaily dressed people.
Ono incident may be considered
typical Of the matters which the min
lister had to uniravel. There was a
school in the Ruc de Ia Fnisandcric
for American and English boys con
Quoted by u Nine. Hedler. one day
an s.ff..aL xvo, tna.i. -, ~. t.,.ff.tf,... |
by French soldiers and the matter
was reported to Mr.. Washburn. When
he had sifted the affair to the bottom
he found that the excuse for the at
tack rose solely from the fact that a
pigeon had been seen TO fly over the
garden wall in the direction of the
German lines, and ii was concluded /
that the bird carried messages to the
enemy. n
Washburn's Reply TO Bismarck.
Another incident clearly showed the
temper of the American representa-
tive. This rose from a eommuniea- I,
ton from Count Bismarck that no +
diplomatic dispatches to foreign gov
ernments would be allowed to pass n
the German lines from Paris unless lie
said dispatches were unsealed. A II
OF the few remaining mem
bers Of the diplomatic corps was call
ed, and there the question was warm
~ discussed Mr.. Washburn enter
tanned no doubts of any sort as to
what should be done. nor did he show
any hesitation. His reply to Bis
marck was. briefly, that he would not
write a dispatch to his government
which would have to be submitted toI