The Great Round World And What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1. No. 23, April 15, 1897 | Page 3

the government of Mexico, it was thought best that
she should go to Napoleon and explain things to him, and get the order
for the soldiers to remain in Mexico.
She started on her long voyage, hopeful of success; but when she
reached France, Napoleon managed to avoid seeing her for months, and
when at last she was admitted to his presence, she found him cold, hard,
and determined to follow out his own plans.
The French soldiers should leave Mexico at all cost.
The poor young Empress had lived long enough in Mexico to fear the
worst for her husband if he were left to the tender mercies of the
Mexicans. Heartbroken at Napoleon's refusal, she determined to seek
the Pope, and see if he would not help her.
The Pope received her with the greatest kindness, but soon convinced
her that, no matter how good his will, he had no power to aid her.
When Charlotte realized this, and that her long journey had been of no
use, and that she had only separated herself from her beloved husband
in his hour of need, her mind gave way, and she became insane.
Poor Maximilian, waiting anxiously for news of her success, received
word that his troubles had driven his wife insane, and from that
moment he cared little what became of him or of Mexico.
A few months after Napoleon had so treacherously withdrawn his
troops, the people once more rose against their ruler.
The Emperor led his army of loyal Mexicans against the rebels, but
after a few weeks was defeated, taken prisoner, and condemned to be
shot.
So ended the career of these two unfortunate young people.
It is thought that the Empress to this hour does not know the fate that
befell her husband.
The whole sad tragedy happened thirty years ago, and in all that time
she has never had a glimmering of reason. She is gentle, kindly, and
interested in the simple country life of the estate on which she lives.
Her madness has never taken a violent form, and it is said that she lives

in constant expectation of her husband's return.
Of late her mind has become slightly clearer, and her doctors have
decided that it is possible that her reason may be restored if she once
more visits Mexico.
This decision seems hardly a kindly one. If it be true that the poor
Empress, who is now a woman of fifty-seven, does not know the full
force of the sorrows that fell upon her, it would seem kinder to leave
her in ignorance of them, than to restore her reason, and allow her to
suffer for griefs that are now thirty years old.
* * * * *
Europe has again been shocked by the news of Christian Powers firing
on the Greeks, and endeavoring to prevent them from freeing
themselves from the rule of the hated heathen Turk.
The feeling in England is very strong on this point. So much so that the
old statesman, Mr. Gladstone, who is to England what Bismarck has
been to Germany, has published a very fine letter on the subject.
In the strongest kind of language, Mr. Gladstone calls the Powers to
account for the action they are taking. He declares that they are
listening to the advice of two ambitious young rulers, the Emperor of
Germany and the Czar of Russia, and allowing themselves to be guided
by the desires of these young men, instead of listening to the voice of
the people, which is decidedly against their actions.
He speaks in no friendly terms of Turkey, her massacres and her
misrule, and says that Greece has done a great service for the world in
helping Crete to throw off the yoke of such a sovereign as the Sultan.
He hopes that the people of Europe may be allowed to say what they
think in the matter, and feels confident that Greece will then no longer
be interfered with. He thinks the only true way to settle the difficulty, is
to let the Cretans have their own government under the rule of Greece,
and pay tribute to Turkey.
Every one is wondering whether these bold words of Mr. Gladstone
will have an effect on the situation.
The so-called Concert of the Powers does not seem to exist any longer.
The six powers are divided among themselves. Great Britain and Italy
hold together in not wanting harsh measures used with Greece;
Germany and Russia think force ought to be used, and France and
Austria are undecided.

Some of the foreign papers are saying that it is quite impossible for the
Powers ever to come to an understanding.
Some people are thinking that Mr. Gladstone's letter has already had an
effect, for a private telegram from