PREVENTION OF A WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1614, 20 July 1887, Page 4

PREVENTION OF A WAR

Some sensation has been caused m Paris (eaya the "St Jamea* Budget") by the publication m the "Figaro" by General Le Flo, who was an ambassador at St Petersburg from 1875 to 1879, of a narrative, acoompanied by diplomatic documents, of the oironmatatioeH under which the late Czar was led m the year of 1875 to intervene during his visit to Berlin lv order to prevent Germany from resuming hostilities against Franca. General Le Flo la now m the eighty-third year of his age, and he is living m a chateau at Britanny. The documents oonsiat of despatches of the General, of the Duke Decazes, then Mioiatar of Foreign Affairs, and Prince Gortcbakoff, who was at that time Chancellor of the Russian Empire. It appears that the French Government plied General Le Flo with despatches expressing their dread of being attacked by Germany. The Czir and Prinoa Gortohakoff iv St Petersburg assured the General, and Prince Or) off m Paris assured the Duke Decszes that these fears were imaginary ; but, as they oo tltu d f General Le Flo went to Varis to ascertain what ground there wa» for them. After trying m vain to sse tleDoko Decpz.s, he told Marshal MacMahon what were the views fceld m Russia, when Marshal MacMahon proceeded to show him letters emanating from a high personage In Europe. One of these said, " You will be attacked fn the spring." The other said, "Piana changed, attaok pat off until the autumn." On returning to St Petersburg he showed Prince Gortohakoff the documents showing the intention of the Prussians to attack Franoe m spite of their peaoeful professions." The Chancellor insisted on showing them to the Czar, who assured General La Flo tbabvhe would not allow Franoe to he attacked. The Russians put themselves iv communication with her Majesty's Government, and pressure was pat npoa Germany to induce the Cabinet of Berlin to keep the peace. • One of the Inducements on the part of Rasaia to get England to join her was the promise made by Priaoa Schouvaloff not to attack, march en, or take possession of Merv,