Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-06

With him were the other two consuls,
Cambaceres and Lebrun, but they were
no more than fgureheads, SO COM
pletely did he dominate everything
pertaining to the government Of
France
The council of state which he chose
selected the material upon which the
corps legislative worked. He alone
controlled all executive matters He
could promulgate laws: he could ap-
point and dismiss members of the
council without consulting the other
consuls: all foreign representatives
were selected by him As time went
on he absorbed the powers and func-
tons of other bodies and men max
ing himself absolute dictator and pre-
pairing the way for the crown he was
shortly to assume.
The first military operation of the
consulate was to declare war against
Austria and to invade that countiy
with a large army. The victory of
Marengo was a lucky stroke for him,
as opposition was rapidly concentrat-
ting at home against the dictator
Then in the same year, 1900. followed
the victory of Hohenlinden. the re-
signed by the Austrian emperor. BY
this France regained much she had
lost in territory since the peace Of
Campo Formio.
Napoleon now outwitted his enemies
by Franco-Russian entente, the ell
feet of which, however. was almost
nullIhed when the czar was assassinat-
ed at home and Nelson won the bat
tie of the Baltic. About this time the
force Napoleon had left in Egypt when
ne came home to make his coup d'etat,
capituiated to a British army. This
was followed by stroke of diplo-
peace with England, He had found the
British invincihle on the sea and he
gave up his idea of conquest anywhere
except on the continent. This was the
tfeaty OF Amiens, SO often referred to In
history 1t was a fine stroke of business
poilcy and it strengthened the opinion
OF most continental statesmen that
they now had to deal not only with a
hm MI leader OF eonsummate ability.
put a diplomat the equal of any
Now he began his secret campaign for
-perpetuation in Office. BY a trick the
senate, which wished to elect him only for
ten years, was outwitted and the pro-
posal which went to the people was to
confirm him for life. The vote was over
wheimlngly in his favor and he took office
IN 1902. using the kngly "Napoleon" in
went rapidly forward, and not only Eng
land but all Europe soon saw that there
was no bound to his ambition His in
nuence was seen in the gripping of Brit
ism trade and in his policy toward Italy,
Germany and the Dutch republic In the
latter country he had been able to change
the constitution SO that the government
control was in French hands and that
French soldiers manned the fortresses He
mad himself declared president. Then with
stupefaction, Europe beheld Napoieon's
troops once more in Switzerland
The English awoke to find that he had
designs on their possessions in the Medi-
terranean. This led to strained relations,
eliminating in his preparations for war.
He proposed to invade England For
funds he was using the money he got for
Louisiana. and still other funds exacted
from Spain, Hanover, Portugal and
Naples.
Whether or not there was royalist plot
at this time to kill him is not a settled
fact. but his police arrested several sup
porters of the Count d'Artois, brother of
Louis XVI. Among them was the Duke
dEnghien. who was executed in 1904.
responsibility for this act In May of that
year Napoleon received the title of en-
peror, which was made hereditary. In
the whole empire but 1859 votes were
cast upon this change of government.
Having now almost by bound attained
this great imperial dignity, the man who
only few years before had been an
obscure artillery officer set out to Justify
his elevation by a series of military cam
paigns the like of which in ambition and
scope the world had never beheld
He crowned himself emperor in May,
1905, and the fact that he used the iron
crown of Lombardy told Europe some
thing of his intentions. and this and acts
OF reprlsal and offense caused a break
with Austria and Russia. Napoleon cool
ly annexed Genoa to anger Austria, and
war broke out Napoleon struck sudden
ly- Throwing huge army across the
border he found the enemy at Clm He
discovered also that the Austrians had
cleared the line of his march of nearly
everything the army needed on which
TO subsist- 1t had moved so suddenly
that the French force suffered for wear
ing apparel as Well for food. The
advance was made in disorder and almost
in mutiny. The suffering was dreadful.
The start was made with only four DAYS
provisions and the emperor refused to
forward more supplies. Besides, it was
now too late.
Actions took place at Albeck and FL
chingen With great bravery in the face
OF fire the French rebuilt a destroyed
bridge at the latter place, crossed It and
drove the Austrians before them, cap
turing 5000 cavalry. By October Is,
Mack. the Austrian commander, was en-
ureiy surrounded. and by a trick of
Napoleon, who was, of course, in COM
mand, was compelled to surrender. Before
the end of the month the Austrian force
opposing him were prisoners or in fight.
No time was lost by Napoleon, who ad-
vanced with his combined force toward
Vienna After fights at Durrenstein,
Hollahrun. the French force of $1,000
confronted the army Of the allies, now
numbering about 5000 men. Perceiving
that 1t was their intention to cut him off
from his advance on Vienna Napoleon
disclosed to his men his own plans. and
then gave battle at AusterlitZ his first
great struggle In which he commanded.
The result was the complete defeat of the
allies, who persisted in fighting according
to the old system which Napoleon knew
how to Illustrate.
After Austeriitz Napoleon compelled
Austria to cede to Italy Venetia Istria
and Dalmatia- He took certain lands in
Swabia and gave them to his South Ger
man allies. Austria, likewise had to recog-
nize what Napoleon had done in Italy.
During this campaign the French had
crossed Prussian ground in Anspach.
bassador to protest Napoleon gave no
After that the Prussian monarch was
answer until he had won at Austeritz.
having been settled. Napoleon decided to
invade Prussia to punish the king for his
presumption in Directing to the violation
of Anspach.
The Prussian force lay from Mayence