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

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A few months after Napoleon had so treacherously withdrawn his troops, the people once more rose against their ruler.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 Paris states that the Sultan of Turkey has sent word to the Powers that he is willing to let King George of Greece occupy the island of Crete, and govern it, provided that he pays tribute for it.
This is so exactly Mr. Gladstone's suggestion, that, if the report is true, the Sultan would seem to have been influenced by him.
Mr. Gladstone in his letter showed clearly how such an arrangement would be of benefit to all concerned, and spoke of the island of Cyprus as an example. Cyprus was once under the rule of Turkey, but is