The Dermott news., 1915-07-01
THE CHANCELLOR'S FALL



"Cherchez la Femme"-we were in his
excellencys box at the Coincide Fran
caise. yet in what is IL more eXtraor-
binary than some of the scenes which
l have myself Witnessed during my
diplomatic career"
For instanee?" | suggested, seeing
that he was in communicative mood.
For instance, in that affair Of long
ago which led to the downfall of the
Bismarck family. regarding which 50
many absurd accounts appeared in the
illinformed European press. Some
of those accounts the ambassador
added, taking up his opera-g 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"
1T is tolerably we'll 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.
yenge we might be inspired TO take.
1t is this which caused him to cherish
the idea of again attacking France at
disadvantage, and finally crushing
her by a ACKNOWLEDGMENT which would
reduce her to the rank of a second
class power
The late NJ. de Blowitz, the famous
cores pondent of the London Times.
and 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 We
were still weak from the effects Of the
former crime. calamity which was
only averted by the personal interyen-
ton in our favor of Alexander II OF
Russia.
The relations between the two
countries were consequently still very
strained when. shortly after the acces.
sion of the present German kaiser. our
foreign office was agreeably surprised
to receive an intimation that this pol
icy Of hatred ms pired by fear was to
be abandoned. and that the imperial
government was now anxious to work
cordially with ours in the field of Eu-
ropean politics.
The portfolio of foreign affairs was
at that time in the hands of NJ. Fleu-
riot, worthy and patriotic man. but
liable to fits of imprudeuee. He has
not held post IN any recent cabinet.
m. Fleuriot was charmed to re-
ceive the assurances rendered to him
by the German ambassador, assur-
ances which were confirmed by Bis
marck himself in a confidential inter
view with our representative in Der.
lin. The German chancellor explained,
with characteristic bluutness, that this
change of front must not be attributed
to him, but TO the personal initiative
of Wilhelm H.
These admissions of the chancellor
convinced NJ. Fleuriot that Bismarck S
influence on the foreign policy Of Ger.
many was on the decline. He there
fore embraced, with all the more conf
dence the offers of friendship and ALI
ance which were made TO him by the
imperial ambassador. This parsonage
even went so far as 70 hint to our min
lister that it was not intended that Bis
marck should be priyy to all the de-
tails of future negotiations between
the two governments.
Matters having arrived at this
stage, the ambassador commenced to
throw out suggestions that the friendly
understanding arrived at should be put
: upon a practical footing. He invited
NJ. Fleuriot to Indicate some object
which Germany might cooperate in Sc
curing for France. as the price of her
definite abandonment of Alsace-Lor.
Egypt. that prey so treaeherously
seized upon by the British lion
You. my friend, are well aware that
d. not share in the general feeling
of my fellow.countrymen towards
Great Britain On the contrary, | la
ment the hatred with which your ma
ton has pursued US ever since their
defeat at Waterloo
Defeat NJ Ambassador" | ven
tured to interject
Defeat. without doubt" returned
his excellency with frmness. DO you
pretend that ii the Prussians had not
arrived single one OF your country
men would have been left alive?'
| preferred to waive this discussion.
ut is this recollection. so CALLING to
brave people. that has doubtless
prompted the incessant intrigues of
your government against the greatness
of France Fortunately. a Frenchman
knows how to be magnanimous in the
face of provocaton. Surrender Egypt
to us, and we consent TO overlook the
other aggressions of Albion
The ambassador paused and glanced
around the theater before resuming
his narrative.
The English ambassador in Paris
at this time was close personal
friend OF mine. Being at the moment
unattached TO any foreign mission,
was living here ana it was my custom
to dine every Sunday at the English
,fp 80,