EXPULSION OF A FRENCHMAN FROM ALSACE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2129, 26 October 1885, Page 2

EXPULSION OF A FRENCHMAN FROM ALSACE.

The authorities at Strassburg have launched a sentence of expulsion against one M. Rothan, a man of years, who has for some time been living quietly on his estate in Alsace-Lorraine. It appears that some weeks back M. Rothan was elected a vice-president of the Patriotic League, of which M. Deroulede is the leading spirit in Paris, The fact was promptly reported by the German Embassy at Paris, and thereupon followed the expulsion. But it has since been stated that M. Rothan was quite unawaro of his nomination to tho post in; the League, and further that, on. hearing of it, he declined to accept it. BeinglinSimate with Prince Bismarck, lie Inade appeal direct to tho great , man, but nothing resulted. The expulsion iqade a great noise, since M, Rothan was formerly Consul-General at Frankfort, and afterwards Frerioh Minister Resident for,-' the Hanseatic cities. Prince. Bismarck'and he crossed swords (diplomatically), when the great Chancellor ivas, the delegate's bf Prussia to the Diet at Frankfort, and passages have been cited from tho published despatches of Prince Bismarck, 1 in which it was suggested thatM. Rothan was a secret enemy of his.; But 1 the German Press declare. that these old controversies have nothing to do with what haa happened; and we must take it that the unfortunate nomination to the League • of Patriots has brought this' trouble upon M, ; Rothan. There are indications of a desire on the part of Prince/ Bismark to.put matters right, ; and it is said that the sentenqe of expulsion will be lifted if M; Rothan declares himself free of,any sympathy with tho League!,of ;M. Deroulede. But the. incident .will 1 have its.effect in further estranging France and Germany-a process .whichvhas gone vtj'n

at an amazing rate of late ; the matter will not be improved by the unholy joy which the Parisians are showing over the stand which tho Spaniards are making against the Chancellor in regard to the Caroline Islands,—' Argus' correspondent.