NAPOLEON A PRISONER.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 244, 20 October 1870, Page 2

NAPOLEON A PRISONER.

,^EDAN,.Sept.3.^Dr. Russell-writeSjio.tJjg Times, from Sedan, the 3rd : ***

" Wben.&etEmperpr, who had passe^(}|* weary hours of night, looked out "on the morning,' he behe!d--a forest of steel"andirons in the valley and hill tops, batteries posted ou ■*.'' every eminence, cavalry in allthe plains, and far as his eye could reach, hosts of Germansliis decision was taken at last. by few of his staff on horseback, his Majesty proceeded- along the road from Sedan: in]fo'j-j., barouche.

" Count Bismarck was-inbed at his quarters at Donchery, when an official rushed, iiiiuld announced the Emperor was coming to fae»t,j him, and to see the King. Count BisniarcltJT rose, dressed hastily, and hastened to meet ' the Emperor. He was-in'tirae to stop the. cortege outside the town. ;'•".<[; -"I was away in the field, and therefore cannot of my personal knowledge state whtjt occurred. As .Jik.Jtfajesty alighted, I bear that Bismarck 'uncovered his head, and stood with cap in hand, and on a. sign or request from the Emperor, put it on. The Count''ireplied, c Sire, I receive-^your Majesty as I would my own Royal Mas|br>' ,3 There haphene.l to be near the place wliero the interview occurred, a few hundred yards outside the town of Donchery, a humble cottage of a bandloom weaver, of whom there are 1 numbflrsiaround Sedan. '. ELillKl • .a.q 3B|; " Bismark led the way and-entered it. The room wa3 iiot'-inviting ; the great ; Count fa walked upstairs ; :the apartment, .was filled J by the handloom. and ; appliances ,pf, i th»^ weaver, so he descended and, r ,found the Emperor sitting .011,,a stone outeide, ; Tjffo V chaira were brought but of the cottage; the* Emperor sat down in one; Bismarck took r., the other and placed it on |ns Majesty's left •; hand side. . "'",-■■' ~ . .„:% "The officers in attendance on their fallen master lay down at some distance away on, a^j; small plat of 'grass in front of the cottage.' The conversation waa gtrange, and, as, .Count Bismarck has repeated it freely—or the p'rin- , eipal parts, of it—no doubt.. it? \*ill foe"/soW] known and remain for ever a.s;.hißtorict tlQMe.,^ groat point to be gained .was peace,;,but,-90^ far as his Majesty was concerned, no assurance could be gained by' Bismarck. " The Emperor states he has no power and could not negotiate for peace, and could not give orders to the army nor Bazaine, nor the Ministers. The Empress 'was Regent, and 'Qh her and her Ministers must devolve the negotiations ;ss t Bismarck thereupon remarked it was of no avail to hold' any further, conversation on political matters with hfe Majesty, and it would be of no use to »ee_the' feing. The Emperor desired^ to () see thielEuj^;--i'n persbn/but Bismarck declared 'it :nbfc l pos- J sible to accede,.to his Majesty's "wishes,, till- ttoP capitulation :liad! been sigiied. Then, k\%i' . cqnvcrsatioir^a's" becoming rather d^ngerotoi^ aud as toe situation was becoming difficult 'on' both sides, he ended it, and the interview ter-, initiated. ThelGotint.went to see the King,, and the. Etoperor ;withdrew, to/consult his officers."