Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-07-01


able,' observed the ambassador, turn
ing round in his chair as the curtain
fell on the first act of Sardou's
"Cherchez la Femme"-we were in his
eXcellencys box at the Comedie Fran
caise. yet in what is it more eXtraor-
dinary than some of the scenes which
| have myself witnessed during my
diplomatic career?"
For instance" l 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
illinformed 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.
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-
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 dismemberment 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 Prussan 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-
tion 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 inspired 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, a worthy and patriotic man, but
liable to fits of imprudence. He has
not held post III any recent {; binet.
IN. 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 Ber-
lin. The German chancellor explained,
with characteristic bluntness, that this
change of front must not be attributed
to him, but to the personal initiative
of Wilhelm ii.
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 to hint to our min.
lister that it was not intended that Bis
marck should be privy 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-
raine M Fleuriot at once thought of
Egypt, that prey SO treacherously
seized upon by the British lion.
You, my friend, are well aware that
/ do not share In the general feeling
of my fellow-countrymen towards
Great Britain On the contrary, | Ia
ment the hatred with which your ma
tion has pursued US ever since their
defeat at Waterloo"
Defeat, M PAmbassadeur?" l ven
tured to interject
Defeat, without doubt" returned
his excellency with firmness. DO you
pretend that if the Prussians had not
arrived a single one of your country
men would have been left alive?'
[ preferred to waive this discussion.
ut is this recollection, so CALLING to
a 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 provocation. 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 nvng mere ana it was my custom
to dine every Sunday at the English
embassy To this circumstance IS
owing the salvation of Europe from
the most dcsolating war IN history.