Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 117, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1915 — Secrets of the Courts of Europe [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Secrets of the Courts of Europe

An Old Ambassador’s Revelations of the Inner History of Famous Episodes Heretofore Cloaked in Mystery

Chronicled

by ALLEN UPWARD

THE SUEZ CANAL SHARES

“Ah, my friend, so it has happened to you also to have business with these financiers!" I turned In surprise, and beheld the ambassador coming down the steps of the Bourse. He was alone, and carried in his hand with some ostentation a small leather case, which appeared to be bursting with share certificates. I stopped and waited for his excellency to reach the pavement. “You will at least consent to breakfast with me in one of those cases which are patronized by the gentlemen of the Bourse, and which I am told are not so bad,” he said, putting his arm in mine. The spring sun shohe brightly on the pavement and the fronts of the houses, and the approach, to the Bourse was crowded with flower girls, who offered"us their nosegays as we moved away. “The business which I have transacted this morning has reminded me -*of an affair of which I believe we have never spoken together,” the ambassador continued, “and which I only hesitate to tell you about because of the disagreeable light In which it places a celebrated minister of your country.” Before I could make any reply, he stopped abruptly in front of a restaurant whose appearance seemed to Inspire him with confidence. We entered, and the ambassador, who was evidently in a generous mood, ordered a sumptuous repast, to be ushered in with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot As soon as the waiter had departed, bowing to the very ground, his excellency took up his napkin and his parable.

“In the autumn of the year 1878-I was sent for by M. Buffard, who at that time held the portfolio of foreign affairs, to his private residence. On my arrival I found him closeted with M. de Lesseps, that great man whom France forgives the mistakes of his old age, in consideration of the glory which he shed upon her in the past “I had already made the acquaintance of De Lesseps, whose former connection with the diplomatic body had naturally Increased the Interest with which I regarded him. On this occasion he received me with great cordiality, as did the minister, who at once Introduced the subject on which they wished to consult me. “ ‘I have Invited you here,’ he said, ‘not on political business, but in order to ascertain if you are disposed to accept a private mission which the Vicomte de Lesseps wishes to entrust to you. Although in the execution of this mission you will be acting without instructions from my department, yet 1 believe you will find that the services which you render to M. de Lesseps will by no means displease the French government.’ ‘“I will put the matter before you in two words,' he said. ‘The khedlve of Egypt is the possessor of 176,000 shares in the Suez Canal company, which it is believed that he may be willing, to dispose of. A syndicate of capitalists has been formed here, which is anxious to acquire these shares, and it has been suggested that you should be asked to proceed to Cairo as their agent, to sound the khedive on the subject, and if possible to negotiate the purchase.’ “‘ls the syndicate of which you speak connected with the canal company, by any chance?’ I asked De Lesseps “He shook his head decidedly. “ ‘I am not even myself interested in it,’ he answered, ‘except from the point of view that, as chairman of the company, I desire to see these shares placed in the hands of the company’s friends. However, I have provided myself with a list of the members of the syndicate.’ “He handed me a document containing about a dozen names. Two or three were those of bankers of some repute; the remainder were absolute nobodies of whom I had never heard. “I stared at him in absolute consternation. ‘“But my dear Vicomte,’ I exclaimed, ‘have you any assurance that these persons command the necessary funds to carry out so enormous a transaction? This will be an affajr of a hundred millions!’ ‘“I answer for that part of it,’ interposed the minister, before De Lesseps had time to speak. ‘There will be no question of the money being found.' «‘And in case the khedlve should require guarantees?’ I persisted, beginning to feel my way toward a solution. “ ‘lf it should become absolutely necessary, you may offer him the guarantee of the French government But that is a point which you must avoid raising, if possible; and in any case yoa must be extremely careful not to let it reach the ears of Colonel Warton the British representative in Cairo/ “At length I thought I could understand something of the situation. Turning again to De Lesseps, I inquired: • ‘And you, Iff. le Vicomte, am I to be equally careful that your interest in this matter does not transpire?’ “The old man smiled, and shook his head again, but with less energy.

“ ‘There is no reason that the khedive should not be informed that I interest myself in the negotiation from the point of view I have spoken of. The fact is,’ he went on, assuming a more confidential tone, “that a difficulty has already arisen between the Suez Canal company and the khedive, of which I should be glad to avoid the repetition. Last year, owing to certain differences with the British government on a question of tolls, the .company was obliged to threaten to close the canal to their ships of war. No sooner was this threat made known, than Ismail Pasha took it upon himself to interfere, in his character of the principal shareholder, and to strenuously forbid the company to adopt any such course. We have reason to think that this action was the result of representations by the British government through their envoy; and you will agree with me that this is a form of pressure which could no longer be brought to bear if the shares of the company were held by private Frenchmen.’

“De Lesseps smiled and nodded. The minister gave me a look of intelligence. “ ‘You have exactly comprehended the position,’ he was good enough to say, ‘and I see that we did not do wrong to select you. Now go and make your preparations to start as quickly as possible—and be careful not to come near the Quai D’Orsay till the whole thing has been arranged.' “I bowed, and made by adieu. Within a week I was in “I was provided with letters of introduction which speedily obtained for me a private interview with Ismail Pasha. The character of this khedive is well known. His reckless extravagance had reduced his country to bankruptcy, and it was on this extravagance that I relied as the motive for inducing him to accept the offer which I was empowered-to make. “The palace at Cairo, in which he received me, was a strange mixture of European and Oriental luxury. Figure to yourself marble courts surrounded by myrtle-trees and fountains, leading into saloons which might have been upholstered from Paris. This bizarre combination reproduced itself in the person of Ismail Pasha, whose swarthy eastern features contrasted strangely with his western attire. “‘I have the honor to wait upon your highness,' I said, as soon as the ceremonial salutations had been exchanged, ‘on behalf of an influential syndicate of bankers in Paris, who have charged me to lay before you a proposal of some magnitude, and which relates to the Suez canal.’ "I saw his dark eyes glitter as I pronounced this name. He responded morosely: “‘I am tired of the Suez canal, M. le Baron. It has not fulfilled the expectations I was led to form from it, and it is, besides, a cause of many political embarrassments. But go on; explain your proposal.’

“Thus encouraged, I came boldly to the point " ‘lt is above all a question of private finance,’ I declared. ‘As the khedive of Egypt, your highness enjoys certain rights over the canal which passes through your territories. It is these rights which constitute your political relation to it and they are not affected by the scheme we are discussing. In addition, you are the personal proprietor of certain shares in the company which owns the canal, and there is nothing to prevent your transferring these shares to a suitable purchaser, with the same freedom as any other member of the company.’ “ ‘Ah’’ he interrupted, ‘I see what it is you want. You propose to make me an offer for some of these shares?’ “ ‘For the whole of them, your highness,’ I returned, bowing. “ ‘What! Do you mean what you say? These shares are worth at the very least one hundred millions!’ ‘“That is the sum which is mentioned in my instructions.’ - “Ismail Pasha gazed at- me in consternation. “ ‘But I have never even entertained the idea of parting with these shares! It is true that I find them unremunerative. Are you aware that the interest on them is deferred?’ “'I have understood something of the sort,’ I said carelessly. ‘My duty, however, is merely to ask if your highness will accept for them the sum which you have just named. My principals have beljeved that in consequence of the unfortunate state of the Egyptian finances, you would probably sooner or later consider the question of realizing the value of this property, and their enterprise has led them to make what is perhaps a premature effort to secure IL’ “ ‘But I do not say that it Is premature.’ He stopped, and bent his eyes thoughtfully on the ground for some moments. “ ‘I have made no attempt as yet to ascertain the value of my shares,' he said, peresently, regarding me with a searching look. ‘Perhaps I might obtain better terms in London, if I were

to make it known that I was willing to dispose of them.’ - “I drew myself up with an aggrieved air. " ‘I venture to remind your highness that such a step would be a violation of our compact of secrecy. Unless you find anything unsatisfactory in the terms- offered by the syndics* which I represent, they have the right to expect that you will not enter into negotiations elsewhere.' “My remonstrance appeared to impress him. He listened thoughtfully, and nodded his head once or twice. “ “Very well, I will consider your offer. But I must know with whom lam dealing. Has M. de Lesseps anything to do with this?’ “I pretended to misunderstand him. '“M. de Lesseps is not one of the syndicate,' I replied, with an air of reluctance, ‘but if you regard his approval as important, I am certain that it can be obtained.’ " ‘No, no; that is all right,’ he said quickly, and smiled to himself. ‘Who, then, are the persons who have deputed you?” , < " “I produced a copy of the list sup.plied to me by De Lesseps, and handed it to the khedlve. He glanced over, it with some confusion. “ ‘I do not recognize these names,’ he muttered. ‘Surely you will see that before entering on such a negotiation I must have satisfactory assurances that this Immense sum will be forthcoming.’ “I assumed an offended demeanor. " There has never been a question of the solvency of these gentlemen,’ I returned with warmth. ‘The moment your highness says the word, onefourth of the purchase money shall be deposited in the Grand Bank of Cairo. In addition, I am empowered to offer you, if necessary, the guarantee of my government.’ “I caught a quick glance from the khedive’s eye as I mentioned the government He instantly resumed his cautious air. “‘That is satisfactory enough,’ he remarked quietly. ‘Well, leave this

paper with me for the present, and I will let you have my answer in a few days.' "Thus dismissed, I returned to my hotel. But I was not satisfied withthe result of this interview. The khedive had shown far less eagerness in the matter than I had been justified in expecting, from the notorious state of his exchequer, and I perceived that it would be necessary to take some decisive step in order to force his consent “My previous experience had taught me that every difficulty which one encounters In the countries of the east resolves itself into a question of ‘backsheesh.’ It remained tor me to discover the quarter in which this irresistible lever might be most profitably applied. “Do not ask me to enter into details with regard to this point. It is sufficient to say that I ascertained that great Influence was wielded over Ismail Pasha by a beautiful odalisque in his harem, whose name, was Fatimeh, and who turned out to possess a mania for the jewelry Of the palais royal. The negotiation was attended with some risk, on account of the rigorous precautions which are observed in guarding the access to the apartments of the women of the East. "I had no reason to complain of the good faith of this charming creature. Within two days I was sent for to the palace, and found myself received with the greatest cordiality by the khedive. He informed me that he had decided to close with the offer of the syndicate, subject merely to a question of terms. He seemed to consider the price of the shares should be Increased by another ten million francs, and I undertook to communicate this counter proposal to Paris at once, and to let him know the result. “As I was passing through the gates of the palace on my way out, I ran almost jnto the arms of the one man in Cairo whom I was anxious to avoid

—Colonel Warton. We were old acquaintances, and he recognized me instantly, though I at first feigned not to remember him. "‘My dear Baron, well met!’ be shouted in his brusque English fashion. ‘What good wind blows you here? I see you have been “tackling” old Ismail; nothing fresh about the canal, I hope?” “ ‘Pardon, my dear colonel, but you are under a misapprehension,’ I replied, with a little reserve. 'lt is not the diplomatist whom you see in me at present I am in Cairo simply as a private visitor, and if I have paid my respects to the khedlve, It Is not on behalf of the Quai D’Orsay that I have been to see him.’ “He glared at me with some suspicion. “‘Well, have it your own way, my dear fellow; though you are the last man I should have expected to come to Cairo as a matter of pleasure. The hotels here are vile, and the cookery am nun tn to a deliberate crusade against the lives of the Giaours. Of course you will dine with me tonight?’ “ ‘Certainly,’ I answered, summoning up a show of cordiality. ‘As soon as I have despatched a little correspondence, I am at your disposal.’ “‘Good; tell me the name of your hotel, and I will come and fetch you in half an hour.’ “I gave him the name, and broke away from him in order to despatch my telegram to Paris. I felt some disquiet at seeing him march straight into the palace, as soon as I had turned away, and I resolved to hqrry on the completion of my affair without an hour’s unnecessary delay. “The dinner which the good colonel gave me that evening was of the best. He made no further attempt to draw from me the cause of my presence in Cairo, but spoke as if he thoroughly recognized the character of tourist which I had assigned to myself. “‘I tell you what it is, baron,’ he said, at a late stage of the repast, and after the second bottle of champagne had been opened, ‘you must see some

of the sights of Cairo, now you are here. lam not very busy at present, and you must let me take you about. I can’t promise you much in the way of theaters, but there are some charming women here whom you ought to know.’ “I smiled discreetly as I thought of Fatimeh. However, I professed the utmost anxiety to meet the colonel’s friends. “The colonel put his own construction on my smile. “‘You do not believejpe!’ he exclaimed roughly. ‘Very well, you shall see for yourself as soon as dinner is over.’ “He rang the bell violently, and gave some whispered instructions to his man, who nodded with an air of intelligence, and went out. At the end of an hour, when we were sipping our coffee in the smoking room, he returned, and gave a look at his master, which appeared to announce the success of his mission. " ‘Now,’ cried the colonel, springing to his feet, ‘come along, and you shall see whether I can fulfill -my undertakings.' “I followed him out, and we proceeded, by a route which was less novel to me than he supposed, to a certain door situated in the rear of the khedivial residence. We were admitted by a eunuch, and led along a succession of passages, some of them familiar to me, to an apartment which I did not recognize. No sooner had we reached it, however, than a bell was sounded, and the curtain which concealed An adjoining chamber was lifted to admit the odalisque whom my friend had promised me. Tt was Fatimeh herself! "If this meeting had bSen the result of a deep-laid plan to entrap me, instead of a pure coincidence, which I firmly believe it was, the result could not have been more disastrous. Overwhelmed with confusion, I bad no time to give a warning sign to this intefii-

gent woman, befoue aha bad advanced toward me, and pronounced my name with the moat gratifying ardor. “As for the poor colonel, he was aimply struck dumb at perceiving that my acquaintance with the inner arrangements of the Egyptian court was not less than his own. I enjoyed my triumph over him with trepidation, however, for I dreaded every moment lest Fatimeh should make some reference to the motive of my former visit. "The colonel 1 maintained an obstinate silence as we came away together. Probably he accused me In bis own mind pf having deceived him, but he said nothing, and we parted on friendly terms; though he did not renew his offer to become my cicerone in the Egyptian capital. “The next day I received this message from Paris—of course in cipher: “ ‘Tell khedive we consider our first offer represents the value of shares, but do not break off negotiation.* “To compensate for this mortification, I found the khedive in a yielding mood. I represented to him that the hundred millions was the utmost that my syndicate felt Justified in paying, and after a very few words he gave way, and definitely agreed to accept that amount “Late in the afternoon, on returning to my hotel, I found a telegram marked ‘Urgent’ waiting for me in my room. It was from M. Buffard himself, and contained these words: * ‘British government has heard of intended purchase and objects. Return to Paris at once, en route for London.’ “1 knew in an instant to whom I was to attribute this frightful blow. Whether it was the beautiful Fatimeh, or the khedive himself, who had betrayed me, it was evident that Colonel Warton had fathomed the secret of my mission, and had instigated this interference of his government. “On my arrival at the Qua! D'Orsay, six days later, M. Buffard explained the situation to me. “‘What has happened,’ he said, ‘is .this. Lord Derby, who holds the portfolio of foreign affairs, has verbally informed M. Gavard, our representative, that the queen’s government understand that the khedive has been asked to transfer his shares to a syndicate acting on behalf of the French government, and it is to this that they object All that is necessary is to convince them that the negotiation proceeds from a privae syndicate, entirely independent of us, in which case we -may hope that their prohibition will be withdrwn. You must proceed to London at once. Do not trouble yourself with Lord Derby, who is a mere instrument. Go straight to M. Disraeli, the premier; it is to him that we must address ourselves. Explain to him on whose behalf you are acting, and the affair may yet be terminated satisfactorily.* “I could do nothing but obey. On the evening of the following day, the 25th of November, I reached London, and as soon- as I had changed my dress, drove straight to Downing street.

“The English premier received me •with an urbanity worthy of the FaubourgSt. Germain, and Insisted on my lighting a cigar and refreshing myself with a brandy and seltzer, before he would permit me to say a word. “ ‘You must not think you are a stranger to me,’ he was good enough to say. 'I am not ignorant of the distinguished reputation you have earned among the European chancelleries.’ ■*’ “ ‘Your sentiments do me too much honor, M. le Premier,’ I responded. ‘I only regret that I am not in a position to repeat them to the French government.’ “‘But I authorize you to repeat them, I even request it,’ he exclaimed, failing to understand me. “ ‘Alas! that is impossible,' I explained. Tam not here in any official capacity, and therefore I could not take it on myself to repeat expressions addressed to me as a private individual.’ “An expression- of apparent bewilderment passed overM. Disraeli’s face, to be succeeded by one of cordial friendliness. “ ‘Then you are not here on behalf of your government!’ he cried out ‘This is a Visit which I owe to your personal regard for me! I insist that you shall allow me to refill your glass.' “‘You distinguish me too much in consenting to place me on such a footing,’ I answered, slightly confused. ‘ln effect, I have ventured to come here to ask of you a favor on behalf of a certain financial syndicate with which I am associated, and which I feel sure that you will not refuse.* “ 'You would do wrong to doubt it, my dear baron,’ he returned with undiminished cordiality. ‘Rest assured that if this favor is in my power it is already yours. But explain yourself.’ “ ‘A thousand thanks, M. le Premier. The affair is one of the simplest. The syndicate I refer to is composed of certain well-known capitalists, whose operations have received a check in consequence of a misapprehension ere* ated in the mind of Lord Derby.’ **‘You .astonish, me!’ M. Disraeli spoke in a tone of surprise. The next moment he lay back in his chair and smiled good-naturedly, as he added: "‘But after all it is not only you who have had to face the disagreeable task of combatting misapprehensions in Lord Derby’s mind. You will doubtless tell me the particulars?’ "‘But that is what I desire. The syndicate of which I have spoken, and which has prevailed on me to act as its agent, has conceived the idea of operating in the shares of the Suez Canal company. You know these gentry of the Bourse—when they perceive the chance for a favorable stroke, politics is the last consideration which enters into their heads. Well, it ap-

pears that Lord fferby objects to their proceedings, for a reason which it i» not easy to understand, and be has even forbidden the poor khedive to entertain an offer which I was empowered to make to him on behalf of the associates.’ “The countenance of the English premier assumed an expression of the most profound annoyance. “‘Ridiculous!* he muttered. ‘lt Is incredible! What reason could he possibly have had for this absurd prohibition?’ “ ‘lt seems that they have persuaded him that there was a political significance in this transaction, that these shares were to be acquired for the French government, in a word.' “M. Disraeli turned on me a look of the most perfect surprise. “ ’But surely that it not so?* he inquired. ‘I have just understood you to tell me that there is a question, here simply of a private speculation?* “’Without doubt The government of France holds itself entirely aloof from the affair, on the contrary.’ “‘I understand. Then what you ask of me is, to inform Lord Derby that he is mistaken in supposing that the French government interests itself in your negotiations?’ " ‘Perfectly,’ I answered, a little disconcerted, however. ’ln that case, am I forbidden to hope that you will prevail on him to withdraw his prohibition?’ “ ‘There will no longer be any reason for maintaining it,' was the reply. ‘lt is rather a question how he could ever have been deceived into a belief so groundless; Perhaps you can suggest a cause for this strange mistake?’ “Thus encouraged, I ventured to pronounce the name of Colonel Warton, which M. Disraeli received with a frown. “ ‘lt happened that this officer met me in Cairo,’ I explained, ‘and became aware that I was in communication with Ismail Pasha. I did not believe myself obliged to take him into my confidence, and it is doubtless this reserve which has provoked his interference.* “ ‘lt is perfectly shameful!’ the premier exclaimed with immense indignation. ‘You have done right to complain to me of this person, whose unjust suspicions have inflicted a serious injury upon your friends.’ “ ‘lt is true that the colonel had formerly made my acquaintance over a diplomatic transaction,* I added, ‘and this may have caused him to connect my proceedings with the idea of politics.’

“M. Disraeli smiled, and shook his head playfully at me. “ ‘Ah, baron, you see that your terrible reputation pursues you,’ he observed. ’How can you.be surprised if people refuse to recognise in the most astute diplomatist of Europe, the innocent traveler of a harmless commercial syndicate?* “When I finally tore myself away he insisted on accompanying me to the door, where he renewed his expressions of regret at Lord Derby’s unfortunate mistake, and warmly assured me of his own perfect belief in the indifference of the French government** The ambassador heaved a sigh, and commenced rolling up his napkin as if he had nothing more to tell me. “‘But you have not finished your story,’’ I remonstrated, seeing him beckon to the waiter for his bill. His excellency shrugged his shoulders. “‘You compel me to resume? Good. “The following morning a copy of the Times was laid before me at breakfast. I opened it, and the first thing on which my eyes fell was this passage:

“ ‘We have today to make a some* what startling announcement.* The British government have bought from the khedive shares of the Suez canal to the amount of £4,000,000 sterling. In the complete secrecy with which this transaction has been carried out, a transaction which it Is impossible to separate in our thoughts from the question of England’s future relatione with Egypt, we trace the hand of Mr. Disraeli.* “And so on. I had been deliberately, shamefully deceived. While M. Disraeli was pretending to grant me everything I wished, he actually held the khedive’s assignment in his pocket. It has been the most humiliating experience of my career.” I tried to look as though I shared his excellency’s indignation. "And did the Freneh government take no action T‘ I inquired respectfully. “How could they? I have related what passed between us. This astute man had carefully set himself to draw from me an explicit assurance that my government were without interest in the disposal of these shares. If I had dared to remonstrate he would have replied that he was perfectly entitled to bid against a syndicate of private speculators. This heartless intrigue was too skillfully planned to leave any opening for protest.” The ambassador rose abruptly, flung down a gratuity for the waiter, and stalked out of the case. As we walked away, the Influence ot the sunshine and the balmy air seemed to soften his excited mood. "After all, it was poor Fatimeh who came off the worst,” he remarked in a mournful tone, as we returned past the Bourse. “She did not live long to enjoy the little gifts which I had presented to her.” “How? Do you mean to say—” "Her fate has remained a mystery. But I have always feared that it was a question of tho bowstring—and that Colonel Warton stooped to obtain thia diabolical revenge!" (Copyright, in XJ. and Great

“She Advanced Toward Me and Pronounced My Name With the Most Gratifying Ardor.”