The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-02-28

OF civil war and therefore In no condition to
back up that doctrine. Or at least, Napoleon
thought that this was good time to put Its
strength to the test and England and Spain too
doubt were willing enough to see 1t tested
On December IA, 1861 Vera Cruz was occu-
pied by Spanish troops. soon afterwards the
French fleet arrived with large force OF sol
diers and Great Britain sent ships and landed
7UU marines. When 1t became apparent how
ever that France was intending TO Interfere In
domestic politics In Mexico. especially In regard
to the relations OF church and state. beyond the
scope OF the agreement, Spain and Great Britain
withdrew their forces In March. 1862, leaving
France to 90 1t alone France theraupon IN
creased the number OF her troops by many thou
sands and set about to conquer Mexico.
The following spring her army heseged and
reduced Puehla and on June 4 1863. entered
the city of Mexico. provisional government OF
Mexicans was set up as the puppets OF the
French and this temporary organization voted
In favor Of -monarchlal form OF government
1t was Nalnleon's Idea to offer the crown to Arch
duke. Macmillan of Austria. But Macmillan.
enjoying his books and the life OF private gen.
tlenan at Miramar, refused to accept the honor
and went off q botanical expedition to Brazil.
Returning from Brazil he was approached
again. Napoleon was persistent. The giant
shadow of Bismarck which doomed with an In
creaslng menace the prussan border was
causing both France and Austria some concern
and the French emperor hoped that an alliance
with the House OF Hapsburg might lessen that
menace. But Emperor Franz Joseph was sus-
picons OF this upstart emperor In France and
he strongly advised his brother against having
anything to do with Napoleon's schemes.
But Carlotta was ambitious. She had tasted
the delights OF being ruler. even though
minor one during the time her husband had
been vlceroy OF the italian provinces. She was
dazzled by the idea OF being an empress For
all her youth. she was n stronger character than
her husband and she exerted all OF her inlill-
j ence over him to get him to accept Napoleon's
offer AT Inst he yielded to her persuasion and,
after renouncng his rights Of succession to the
Austrian throne, accepted the title OF emperor
OF Mexico. On May %, 1884 the new emperor
and empress arrived at Vera Cruz ana al
though their reception was not as ardent as they
might have hoped for, yet they were warmly
welcomed by the clergy and rhe military ele-
ments which hoped through the monarchy 70
regain some Of the prestige and the properly
they had lost
Prior to the establishment OF the empire Mex
leo had known two factions One was the
liberals led by Bento Juarez, an Indian patriot
who had been exiled by Santa Anna, the dictator,
and returning to Mexico after the fnll OF Santa
Anna. had succeeded to the presidency upon the
death OF Jehn Alvarez and In 1857 had promul-
gated the great reform measures which Drought
about complete severance OF churcn anu slate.
When Macmillan set upon the throne oy
French troops, Juarez was again forced 10 nee,
but although he was again down he was far
from out
The other party was the conservatives or tnf
church party, to whom Macmillan owed MS
crown and 1t had the support of the military
the French troops maintained there by Napoleon
and commanded by Marshal Bazaine. VINO was
almost as much the ruler Of Mexico as MAXI
milan was.
AS the Civil war drew to close II necame
apparent that the North was sure TO Wild. Inc
United States then would be able TO turn lts
attention to enforcing the MenFee Doctrine VA
ppleon saw The handwriting on the wall W
terly forgetfnl Of NIL his promises TO ha1linlin'
ne prepared te abandon him to his fate although
for seme time The French ruler kept up pre-
tense OF supporting his puppet emperor aeioss