Tombstone epitaph., 1915-05-02
THE CHANCELLOR'S FALL
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Chronicied by ALLEN UPWARD


 They cali that situation improb- able. observed the amba ssador, turn Ing round in his chair as the curtain tell on the first act Of Sardou's Cherchez la Femme"-we were in his exceliency's box at the Comedie Fran eaise- Yet in what is it more extrao or dinary than some of the scenes which nave myself witnessed during my diplomatic career?"
 For instance?" I 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 so many absurd accounts appeared in the iilAnformed 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 .S.s o: Intelligence"
 Tt is tolerably well known that ever since the Prince von 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. It 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.
 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 we were still weak from the effects of the former crime. calamity which was only averted by the personal interven- 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 Flu 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 imprudence. 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 confidential inter view with our representative in Der lin The German chancellor explained 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 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 ister 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 tc 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 hel definite abandonment of Alsace-Lor faine. M. Fleuriot at once thought oi Egypt, that prey so treacherously seized upon by the British lion.
 You, my friend. are well aware thai I do not share in the general feeling of my feIlowcountrymen towards Great Britain. On the contrary. I la ment the hatred with which your na ton has pursued us ever since theii defeat at Waterloo"
 Defeat, M rAmbassadeur?" l ven tured to interject
 "Dofeat, without doubt" returned his sxceliency with frmness. Do yo1 prstend hat if the Prussians had no arrived a single one of your country men would have been left aiive?'
 I preferred to waive this discussion
 Tt is this recollection, so galling tt A brave people. that has doubtless nrompted the incessant intrigues O your government against the greatness Of France. Fortunately. Frenchmai knows bcsy to De magnanimous in thu face of provocation. Surrender Egyp tn us. and xe consent to overlook th' other ageressions of Albion"
 The ambassador paused and glanced around the theater before resuminl his narrative.
 ..The English ambassador In Pari q, this time was a close persona friend of mine. Being at the monen unattached to any foreign mission, v.s living here, ana it was my custor to dine every Sunday at the Englis embassy. To this circumstance owing the salvation of Europe fror ,hs mo.st deso!stipg war in history.
 ron a certain Sunday about the tim