Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1915 — Page 2

Secrets of the Courts of Europe

I An Old Ambassador's Revelations of the Inner History of Famous Episodes ~ Heretofore Cloaked in Mystery

THE CHANCELLOR’S FALL

. “They call that situation improbable," observed the ambassador, turninc round in his chair aa the curtain fell on the first act of Sardou’s “Cherchez la femme" —we were In his excellency’s bci at the Comedie Francaise. "Yet in what is it more extraordinary than some of the scenes which I have myself witnessed during my diplomatic career?" “For instance?” I 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 ill-informed 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 persons of intelligence.” "It is tolerably well known that ever since the Prince von Bismarck perceived the marvelous recovery of France from the disasters of 1870, he lived in perpetual terror of the revenge we might be inspired to take. It is thio 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 secondclass power. "The late M. de Blowlts, the famous correspondent of the London Times, and a man who was not to be despised, 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, a calamity which was only averted by the personal intervention in our favor of Alexander II of Russia.

“The relations between the two countries were consequently still very strained when, shortly after the accession of the present German kaiser, our foreign office was agreeably surprised to receive an intimation that this policy 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 European politics. “The portfolio of foreign affairs was at that time in the hands of M. Fleurlot, a worthy and patriotic man, but liable to fits of imprudence. He has not held a post in ang recent cabinet. “M. Fleuriot was charmed to receive the assurances tendered to him by the German ambassador, assurances which were confirmed by Bismarck himself in a confidential interview with our representative in Berlin. 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 11. T 7 “These admissions of the chancellor* convinced M. Fleuriot that Bismarck’s Infl nance on the foreign policy of Germany was on the decline. He therefore embraced, with all the more confidence, the offers of friendship and alliance which were made to him by the imperial ambassador. This personage even went so far as to hint to our minister that it was not intended that Bismarck should be privy to all the details 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 M. Fleuriot to indicate some object which Germany might co-operate in securing for France, as the price of her definite abandonment of Alsace-Lor-raine. M. Fleuriot at once thought of Egypt, that prey so treacherously seised upon by the British lion. "You, my friend, are well aware that I do not share in the general feeling of my fellow-countrymen towards Great Britain. On the contrary, I lament the hatred with which your nation has pursued us ever since their defeat at Waterloo/' “Defeat, M. I'Ambassadeur?” I ventured 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 countrymen would have been left alive?” I preferred to waive this discussion. "It is this recollection, so galling to n 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 a close personal ■friend of mine. Being at the moment (unattached to any foreign mission, I was living here, and it was my custom to dine every Sunday at the English wuhtwr To this circumstance is owing the salvation of Europe from the most desolating war in history. -On a certain Sunday about the time

by ALLEN UPWARD

Chronicled

I have indicated, I was dining at the embassy as usual. During the meal 1 observed that my host was very distracted; and, as soon as it was over, he rose up and, taking me by the arm, led me into his private study. I at once guessed what was coming, and, while accepting a cigar, determined that nothing should be extracted from me respecting the negotiation I have described, and of which M. Fleuriot had kept me partly informed. * " ‘My dear baron,’ he commenced, ‘you and I are old friends. We should both be equally distressed if war were to break out between our two countries.’ “ ‘Without doubt,’ I replied, affecting to consider the remark a mere chance observation. 'Let us be thankful that such an event is not in the least likely to take place.’ And I added to myself: ‘Unless you refuse to give up Egypt.’ “He at me with suspicion. “ ‘How far you are in the confidence of your foreign office,’ he said, ‘I neither know, nor do I ask you to tell me. I desire to give you information, not to receive IL' " ’You are too good,’ I murmured, more on my guard than ever. " 'I hope, at the same time,’ he went on, 'that what I have to say to you may cause you to take action in what I believe to be the interest of both countries. I am sure that if you use this information you will not allow its source to be discovered.’ "'That is understood, of course,’ I replied, beginning to be really interested.

" ‘Thank you. Let me say at once, then, that I have reason to believe that your government has recently proposed to the court of Berlin an offensive alliance against England, with a view to compelling us to evacuate Egypt in your favor.’ "I was thunderstruck at the accuracy of his information. " ‘But, my lord, this is some chimera, delusion!’ I cried, affecting the utmost incredulity. 'Such an idea is too extravagant for a feullleton!’ "Lord Soames smiled coldly. "'I have already said that I do not ask you to commit yourself, my dear baron,’ he replied. 'I will assume, if you prefer it, that all this is news to you. But you have not yet heard what I wanted to tell you. As you know, Great Britain has hitherto steadfastly refused to join the triple alliance for fear of being dragged by Germany into a war against France. It is to your interest, I think you will admit, that we should continue to hold aloof.’ "I shrugged my shoulders without expressing any opinion on this point

“‘Now,’ pursued Lord Soames, 'we suddenly find ourselves placed in this dilemma. Prince Bismdrck has informed our ambassador in Berlin that he will accept your proposal unless England accedes to the triple alliance within a week from today, and undertakes to employ her navy in a blockade of the French coast as soon as war is declared.’ V "I was overwhelmed. The revelation of this atrocious duplicity on the part of Bismarck completely stunned me. Knowing what I did of his character, it was impossible to doubt the truth of Lord Soames’ disclosure. It was evident that the whole of the negotiations with our foreign office had been a deliberate ruse in order to obtain the means of discrediting us in the eyes of Great Britain. It was the Belgian trick of 1870 over again! “I could have wept. It was with the utmost difficulty that I concealed my consternation from the keen eyes of tl}a Englishman. " ‘You have been deceived, my friend,’ I answered, in a tone of great confidence. ‘That Bismarck should make such assertions does not surprise me in the least But it is a mere invention of his own, believe me. If such a thing had been on the carpet, I am the first person with whom M. Fleuriot would have communicated.’ - “Lord Soames listened to me with an ail of indulgence, as if I had been a child.

'“Again permit me to remind you that I am simply giving you a warning for your own benefit,’ he said. ‘I have only to add that the prince has promised to show our ambassador the written French proposal, signed by M. FleurioL next Saturday. Unless you can reclaim that document by then, England will join the alliance, and war will be declared within a fortnight' "It was useless for me to make further protests. They were wasted on this man of ice. "'I am obliged to you for your friendliness,’ I said, rising. *No doubt the whole story is some clumsy fabrication of Prince von Bismarck’s, which it will be easy to disprove. If I should chance to meet M. Fleuriot, however, I will inform him of these* slanders.* “We returned to the drawing-room, and I chatted with Lady Soames for twenty minutes, in order to show that my mind was at ease. I then announced that I had a headache and took my leave. "I refused to allow the servants of the embassy to call me a cab, lest they should overhear my destination.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

I walked down the street for a hundred yards, jumped into the first empty one I met, and drove furiously to the Qua! d’Orsay. *1 was lucky enough to find M. Fleuriot there, and at once communicated to him the terrible news which I had just heard. "The minister was absolutely stupefied, "TMd Lord Soames tell you this?' was his first question. " ‘Lord Soames! No, I have not seen him for days,’ I answered, remembering the caution I had received. ‘The intelligence reached me direct from Berlin, by a channel which I am not permitted to disclose. But you may rely upon its absolute truth.’ "M. Fleuriot tore his hair. “ 'Beset that I am!' he cried despairingly, ‘I ought to have suspected that this pretended alliance was one of Bismarck’s traps. And I believed in the faith of that Prussian!' " 'Then there is such a document?' I exclaimed, little less dismayed than he was.

"'Alas, yes! Their ambassador insisted that the first written proposal should come from us. I placed it In his hands four days ago, and doubtless it is by this time in Bismarck’s possession. I have betrayed my country to that wretch!’ “I exerted myself to soothe him. Finally I said: " ‘Give me a letter to our atnbassador in Berlin, and I will go there myself and regain this paper from Bismarck’s clutches.’ "You will? Baron, you are an angel! Do this, and you shall have the grand cross of the legion, I swear it. Your Fleuriot will regard you as his savior!’ “On the second day I arrived in Berlin. My first step was to see our ambassador there, an upright and painstaking diplomatist, but a man who was by no means a match for the infernal craft of Bismarck. “My sudden appearance naturally caused him the greatest astonishment, which was changed into chagrin as I explained to him how he, like M. Fleuriot, had been duped by the perfidious chancellor. "‘But what you tell me is impossible,’ he exclaimed. ‘I know the character of Wilhelm II too well. That he should conceive the idea of transforming the foreign policy of Germany does not surprise me, but that he should have the cunning to contrive a plot of thie kind is incredible. He is a Charles XII, not a Machiavelli.' “This was the very point on which I desired to sound the ambassador. I fixed on him an ironical smile. “ 'And what part has the kaiser in this affair, then?’ I asked him. "He gazed at me in bewilderment " ‘Why, Prince von Bismarck informed me’ —he began, and stopped short chilled by the sarcasm of my hook. “ 'Bismarck informed you that he was acting under the kaiser’s instructions. But what assurance have you that this was not part of the trick?’ "*You must be right’ he exclaimed at length. ‘The kaiser never has referred to the matter, though I have twice conversed with him since it was broached.’ “I was satisfied. It only remained for me to put in execution the design which I had conceived. “The following morning found me at the imperial palace. "As soon as I had sent up my name, I was ushered up the great main staircase of the palace to the first landing stage and brought into his majesty’s private cabineL The kaiser, as I entered, started up from a table on which lay the design of a battleship, and welcomed me with effusion.

"I thought it well to commence by administering a compliment. "‘My governmenL’ I observed, ‘entertains sentiments of the most profound respect for youi; majesty, and it believes that you cherish no hostile feeling toward France.* “ ‘Your government is right,’ he interjected. ‘So long as France conducts herself with propriety, and refrains from indulging in disturbing projects, she may assure herself of my good will.* “I affected to receive this condescension with delight “ ‘Ah, sire,’ I exclaimed, ‘if my countrymen could only hear those gracious words! Such kindness makes my present mission easy. It is no doubt an irregular thing for my government to communicate with your majesty, except through the official channels. Our excuse Is the high regard in which France holds your majesty personally, and the belief that, in matters of foreign policy it is no longer the Prince von Bismarck who exercises sole control.’ “The emperor drew himself up. “'I am the only person who exercises sole control tn my empire,* he remarked with haughtiness. ‘My chancellor simply acts under my instructions.’ “ ‘So my government was assured, sire, and that being so, it entertained a negotiation which, had it proceeded from the initiative of Herr von Bismarck, we should have unhesitatingly declined.* “ 'What negotiation do you refer to?’ asked the emperor, surprised. “I assumed my most innocent expression. “To your majesty’s proposal of a joint war against England, with the object of restoring Egypt to France.’ “The kaiser bounded in his seat "T propose a war with England! To restore Egypt to you! I never heard of such madness! Who has dared —* “He broke off, evidently realizing that he was committing himself. I affected to be equally astounded with his majesty.

“*But this is incredible!* I cried. ‘Can the prince hare dared to commit Germany to this undertaking without even consulting you’ This la worse than the time of the old kaiser. And my government was assured that this new policy was due to your majesty's direct initiative.* “The kaiser sat like one thunderstruck. “I had now, of course, satisfied myself that Bismarck was acting without his master's knowledge. It remained for me to secure the emperor’s confidence and deprive the prince of any chance of winning his approval for this audacious intrigue. "I turned to Wilhelm n with an expression of deep regret. “'Sire, I am overwhelmed to think that you, as well as my government, have been deceived by this minister, who has acquired the habit of overstepping bis powers. But I know my government too well to believe it capable of taking advantage of this situation. I was sent here to obtain your majesty’s personal confirmation of this treaty. I learn that the entire negotiation has been without your sanction, and, however disappointing to France this may be, I have no hesitation in saying, on behalf of my government, that it will consent to treat the affair as if it had not taken place.' " ‘You are very good, M. le Baron,’ murmured the emperor, evidently relieved by this declaration, but still embarrassed by the consideration that I had penetrated the state of his relations with the chancellor. “ 'lt only remains for me to satisfy you of the truth of my words,’ I resumed, ‘and to afford you an opportunity of terminating a scandalous situation. Let me propose to you, sire, a little conspiracy against this gentleman, who has so nearly made us dance to his music.* “The kaiser smiled and listened with approval while I unfolded the plan which I had formed. “During the time of my connection with our embassy in Berlin I had become well acquainted with the chancellor's habits. Among other things, I was aware that when he had any

“Do Not Do That, Prince. Go Up to the Empress, Who Has Not Seen You for Some Time. I Shall Join You In Two Minutes.”

documents to which he attached special importance he did not leave them in the safe at the chancellery, but carried them about in a certain yellow dispatch-box, which never left him day or night. “As soon as he understood what I 'proposed, he requested me to ring the bell, and dispatched a messenger to request the instant attendance of the chancellor at the palace. “The old chancellor came puffing into the room carrying his eternal yellow dispatch-box under his arm. He carefully deposited his yellow box upon a table, before advancing to greet his majesty. “ ‘Well, prince, how is the rheumatism today?* inquired the kaiser. “ ‘Bad, very bad, sire,’ grumbled the old minister “He then, without inviting the prince to be seated, put a question to him about some pending ' commercial treaty with Russia, which necessitated a reference to the contents of the. yellow box. The prince fumbled for his keys, unlocked the box and took out the paper which his master had inquired for. The kaiser, after barely glancing at it, suddenly took the old man by the arm, and commenced to draw him out of the joom. “Come, upstairs for a moment,* he cried; “you must positively hear the empress play my last composition. The court are. enraptured with it, and the royal organist tells me it will replace the “Wacht am Rhein** as the national anthem of Germany.** “The prince hesitated, and glanced at his dispatch-box, which still lay unlocked on the table. “That will be all right,’ said the kaiser impatiently. ‘See, I will lock the door of the room from outside.* “The instant the door closed behind them I darted from my hiding-place and pounced on the yellow box. There, lying dose to the top, was an eavelope beartag the French official seal, and

torn open at the end. I snatched It up, and the next moment the fatal document was in my bands. “While I was drawing it out of the envelope the key turned in the door, and the kaiser burst in. As had been arranged between us, he bad left the chancellor half-way up the stairs, in the confidence that the old, man's movements would not be quick enough for him to intercept us for a minute. The emperor’s pretext for returning was that he had forgotten his musical manuscript. “I had just time to unfold the paper and point to the words by which It was headed: ‘Proposal for an Offensive Alliance between France and Germany,’ and to the signature; ‘Jules Fleuriot,' at the foot, when we heard the ponderous footsteps of Prince Bismarck outside.

“Now was the time for my great stroke. Before the astonished kaiser could tell what I was about to do I had swiftly crumpled the all-important document into one pocket, while from another I drew a paper similar in appearance, and coolly elipped it into the envelope, which I restored to the dis-patch-box under his very eyes. There was just time for me to regain my hiding-place before the door was burst open and the old chancellor stalked in. “He was panting from the exertions he had made, and looked angry and disgusted. By this time Wilhelm II was busily turning over some papers in a drawer at the other end of the apartment. Casting an indignant glance at his back, the prince went straight up to the precious yellow box, locked it, and restored the keys to his pocket, at the same time tucking the box under his arm. Then, and not before, he growled out to the absorbed kaiser: “ ‘lf your majesty can't find the music, I will come to hear it another time.* “The kaiser turned round. “ ‘Do not do that, prince. Go up to the empress, who has not seen you for some time. I shall join you in two minutes.’ “The chancellor could not well refuse, and stumped away, pretending to

groan at his rheumatic pains as he went. "Now the time had come for an explanation with the kaiser, my abstraction of the document having been an unrehearsed effect for which I had not prepared him. He directed a stern look at me as I came out into his presence. “‘Sir,’ he began angrily, ‘why did you take that paper?* “Igazed at him ps if pained surprise. “‘but, sire,’ I exclaimed, 'you have just repudiated the treaty which Prince von Bismarck proposed in your name, and I have agreed that my government shall accept your decision. Naturally it is my duty to reclaim the document, obtained from my government by fraud, and to which your chancellor is no longer entitled.’ “ That is all very well, M. le Baron, but it is not the way to go to work,’ returned the kaiser, still angry. “‘Perhaps not, sire. But, if it conjes to that, neither of us has much to gain by proclaiming this morning’s work,’ I replied boldly. And seeing that the shaft had gone home, I continued: ‘The document which I have substituted bears a similar heading and is equally in the writing of M. Fleurlot, eo that the exchange is not likely to be detected just at present. In the meantime if you, sire, will overlook my having possessed myself of this paper, I will tell you beforehand of another little measure on which, perhaps, this faithful Bismarck has for’gotten to consult you.’ “The kaiser’s face flushed darkly. “ ‘I will say no more about that paper. What else do you refer to?** “‘Simply this, sire, that on Saturday next the prince expects to receive England’s adherence to the triple alliance. In that I have reason to think he win find himsplf deceived.* “And before Wilhelm II had time to take in the bearing Gt this piece of news, evidently unwelcome to him, I

had bowed myself out and left the palace. “I drove straight to the telegraph office, whence I dispatched the following message to Lord Soames: “ ‘You have been misinformed. There is no such letter.* "And I was right. For on the way frtm the palace I had torn up the paper into a hundred fragments, and had swallowed them every one. .The ambassador stopped abruptly and made as if he would turn his attention to the stage. "Surely that Is not all?" I said. "Can you not tell me what occurred on the Saturday?'* His excellency smiled pleasantly. “I had the account some time after through my friend Soames, who got it from his colleague in Berlin. It appears that Bismarck never once looked inside the envelope till he and the English ambassador met in the kaiser’s presence at the time appointed. “The old chancellor had not informed his master of the precise nature of the business to be transacted. “Prince Bismarck opened the interview, therefore, by explaining to the kaiser the purpose for which he nhd summoned the meeting. Then turning to the British envoy, he added with confidence: ’“Well, sir, what is your answer? Will England join us?’ "The Englishman kept perfectly cool. He had, of course, been warned by Lord Soames how matters stood. “ ‘Before you have any right to demand my answer,* he said, ‘you must fulfill your undertaking to produce some evidence that France contemplates an attack on us? “Thereupon the prince tapped his famous yellow box. “ ‘I have here,’ he returned, ‘a written proposal from the French government for an offensive alliance against you.’ “This was the first hint to the kaiser of the real significance of the mysterious document he had allowed me to recover. He drew back in his chair and began to gnaw his mustache. “But the Englishman merely smiled. “ ‘Excuse me, prince, but I really think you have been imposed upon,* he replied quietly. ‘I cannot believe that the government of the republic would be guilty of such folly.’ “Bismarck now smiled in his turn, and with an air of triumph took out the paper from its envelope, and passed it to the other. The kaiser looked on, helpless, and divided, no doubt, between anger at the manner in which I had outwitted him, and pleasure at the mortification in store for his overbearing minister. “The Englishman unfolded the paper and read aloud: “.‘Proposal for an Offensive Alliance Between France and Germany— ’ “ ‘Ha! What did I say!’’ interrupted the chancellor. - “‘ —The French government, after according due consideration to the proposal laid before it on behalf of the German government, has decided to absolutely decline entering into any such alliance as —’ “He had got to there when the overwhelmed chancellor, uttering a cry of rage, snatched the paper from his hand and fastened upon its contents, with his eyes starting from his head, and his features wrinkled up in a look of positively ludicrous consternation. , “Then Wilhelm II saw his chance. “ ‘Herr Prince,’ he said sternly, 'what is the meaning of this comedy? What are these proposals which you have made without my authority, for an alliance against the government of a country which I regard with friendship?’

"The prince flung down the paper with a growl like that of an infuriated mastiff. “ ‘For the first tinm in my life, sire, my dispatch-box has been tampered with,' he rapped- out in surly tones. ‘At this moment I can only assure you and the ambassador here that the proposal came, not from me, but from the French government' “At this point the kaiser turned away and ceased to listen. The Englishman shrugged his shoulders with an incredulous air, and rose to go. “The audience broke up. England remained outside the triple alliance, and before a month was over all Europe was astonished to near that Prince Bismarck was no longer chancellor of the German empire. “You understand,** added my friend, after a minute, “that it is only becauseof the years that have passed since the death of poor Soames that I am able to tell you all this.* “I understand perfectly." As I was helping his excellency on with his overcoat at the conclusion of the performance my eye happened to fall upon the decorated buttonhole. “By-the-by, M. I’Ambassadeur, did M. Fleuriot fulfil his promise about the grand cross?** The ambassador turned round with a momentary look of annoyance. “My friend, you should restrain your too great curiosity. Believe me, it ia a detestable vice. No, unfortunately, he did not But it was scarcely hla fault* The fact-is that during the few days I was absent in Berlin there occurred a change of government Poor Fleuriot lost his portfolio, and my services were forgotten." He sighed with a noble air of resignation. Suddenly his glance became fixed on a point on the other side of the crowded corridor Into which we bad just plunged. “Ah!” he exclaimed, beginning to detach himself from my side and take an oblique course through* the moving throng. "Pardon my leaving yon so abruptly, but I see a friend coming out to whom it is imperative that I should speak.* ■ (Copyright ta V. & and Great BritataJ