The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-01

200 marines. When IL 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 go il alone. France thereup0n in
creased the number Of her troops by many thou
sands and set about TO conquer Mexico
The following spring her army besieged and
reduced Puebla and on June z, 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 a monarchial form Of government
1t was Napoleons idea TO offer the crown to Arch
duke Macmillan Of Austria. But Macmillan,
enjoying his books and the life of private gen.
tleman at AIiramar, refused to accept the honor
and went OF on botanical expedition 10 Brazil.
Returning from Brazil he was approached
again. Napoleon was persistent. The giant
shadow of Bismarck which doomed with in
creasing menace across the Prussian 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-
picious 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 viceroy of the Italian provinces. She was
dazzled by the idea Of being an empress. For
all her youth, she was a stronger character than
her husband and she exerted all of her infiu-
ence over him TO get him TO accept Napoleon's
offer. At last 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 IS 1854, the new emperor
and empress arrived at Vera Cruz and al
though their reception was not ardent they
might have hoped for, yet they were warmly
welcomed by the clergy and the military ele-
ments which hoped through the monarchy, to
regain some of the prestige and the property
they had lost
Prior to the establishment Of the empire Mex
leo had known two factions. One was the
liberals led by Benito Juarez, an Indian patriot
who had been exiled by Santa Anna, the dictator,
and returning to Mexico after the fall Of Santa
Anna, had succeeded TO the presidency upon the
death of Jean Alvarez and in 1857 had promul-
gated the great reform measures which brought
about complete severance Of church and state.
When Macmillan was set upon the throne by
French troops, Juarez was again forced to fee,
but although he was again down he was far
from out
The other party was the conservatives the
church party, TO whom Macmillan owed his
crown and it had the support Of the military
the french troops ma1nIalled there DIV Napoleon
and commanded by Marshal Bazaine who was
almost as much the ruler of Mexico as Maxi
milan was. Because of Maximilian's liberal
measures he soon lost much of the support Of
the conservatives, but he might have been able
TO have ridden out the storm which arose
soon had II not been for developments north
of the Rio Grande
AS the Civil war drew to a close, ii became
apparent that the North was sure TO win. The
United States then would be able to turn its
attention TO enforcing the Monroe Doctrine. Ma
poleon saw the handwriting on the wall Ut
terly forgetful OF all his promises to MAMMALIAN
he prepared TO abandon him TO his fate although
for some time the French ruler kept up pre-
tense of supporting his puppet emperor across
the sea Finally in 1866 in response TO urgent
representations by the United States Napoleon
promised to withdraw his troops from Mexico.
In the meantime open revolt had sprung up In
Mexicoi In October, 1865, Macmillan had is
sued proclamation threatening death to all
who offered resistance to the government II
been ravaging the country But the Imperialisr
and French officers took advantage of the proc
lamation TO execute many Liberals who were
classed as brigands after their capture and this
strengthened the hand Of Juarez In his revolt
against the usurper. It gained rapid Roadway and
Macmillan, realizing at last that Napoleon could
not be trusted TO support him, saw that the end
was almost in sight
For long time he had been blind TO the fact
that he was an unwanted ruler in Mexico and
thar his reign was destined to failure Even