Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-05-14


excellency's box at the Coincide Fran
caise. "Yet in what is it more extraor
binary than some of the scenes which
4 have myself witnessed during my
diplomatic career?"
For instance?" suggested, seeing
that he was in a communicative mood.
For instance, in that affair of long
ago which led to the downfall of the
Bismarck family, regarding which so
many absurd accounts appeared in the
fll-informed European press. Some
OF those accounts" the ambassador
added, taking up his opera-glass, were
no doubt inspired by those who had
their own reasons for not desiring the
truth to be known; nevertheless, they
ought not to have imposed on per
sons of intelligence"
He directed his glass towards a box
on the opposite side of the theater in
which were seated two ladies, appar-
emily mother and daughter, attired in
the latest CONNECTIONS of M. Worth.
i gather that you are possessed Of
better information" / murmured.
THAT is fine woman" remarked
his excellency, laying down the glass.
THE daughter 10 pretty, but without
style. Believe me, my young friend
It is not till she is forty that a woman
becomes truly interesting"
You were saying something about
Prince Bismarck" ventured to re-
mind him.
"Ah, yesi Do you care to hear the
story2 There is, perhaps, time for it
before the next actR
1T would give me the greatest
pleasure"
! settled myself comfortably to
listen; and the ambassador, after tap
ping thoughtfully with his fingers on
the ledge of the box for a few mo-
ments, began:
1T is tolerably well known that ever
since the Prince Won Bismarck per-
ceived the marvellous recovery OF
France from the disasters OF 1870, he
lived In perpetual terror OF the re-
venge we might be inspired to take
1t is this which caused him to cherish
the idea of again attacking France at
a disadvantage, and finally crushing
her by a ACKNOWLEDGMENT which would
reduce her to the rank Of a second
class power.
THE late M. de Blowitz, the famous
correspondent of the London Times
and a man who was not to be de
spised, had told the world of the
scheme which this Prussian conceived
for falling upon us in 1875. while VIC
were still weak from the effects of the
former crime, a calamity which was
only ayerted By the personal interven
tion in our favor OF Alexander II d
Russia.
THE relations between the two
countries were consequently still yer,
strained when, shortly after the acees
sion of the present German kaiser. oul
foreign office was agreeably surprised
TO receive an intimation that this poI
icy of hatred inspired by fear was Il
be abandoned, and that the imperia
government was now anxious to worl
cordially with ours in the field of Eu
ropean politics.
1.-THE portfolio of foreign affairs wal
at that time in the hands of NJ. FIeu
riot. worthy and patriotic man, blu
liable to fits of imprudence. He hal
not hsld post in any recent cabinet
IN. Fleuriot was charmed to re
ceive the assurances rendered to hin
by the German ambassador, assur
ances which were confirmed by Bis
marek himself in q confidential inter
view with our representative in Ber
lin. The German chancellor explained
with characteristic bluntness, that thi
change of front must not be attribute,
TO him, but to the personal initiative
of wilhelm II.
These admissions of the chaneello
convinced M. Fleuriot that Bismarck
influence on the foreign policy of GeI
many was on the decline He there
fore embraced. with all the more conf
dence, the offers of friendship and all
ance which were made to him by tn
imperial ambassador. This personag
even went so far as to hint to our mir
lister that 1t was not intended that BIZ
marck should be privy to all the d.
tails of future negotiations betwee
the two governments.
Matters having arrived at thi
stage, the ambassador commenced t
throw out suggestions that the friendl
understanding arrived at should be pu
upon a practical footing. He invite
NJ. Fleuriot to indicate some objee
which Germany might cooperate in 81
curing for France. as the price of he
definite abandonment of Alsace-Lo
reine. NJ Fleuriot at once thought {
Egypt, that prey SO trea .herousl
seized upon by the British lion.
'You, my friend, are well aware this
do not share In the general feelin
OF my fellow-countrymen toward
Great Britain. On the contrary, | Il
ment the hatred with which your n
tion has pursued us ever since the
defeat at Waterloo"
Defeat, Nj. PAmbassadeur?" | vel
tured to interject
Defeat, without doubt" returne
his ezcellency with firmness. do yo
pretend that if the Prussians had n,
arrived a single one of your countr
men would have been left afive?.'
/ preferred to waive this discussion
.'It Is this recollection. so CALLING /
. brave people. that has doubles
prompted the incessant intrigues /
your government against the greatnee