PRINCE OF MONACO'S CHATEAU.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15157, 22 December 1914, Page 8

PRINCE OF MONACO'S CHATEAU.

— ;—4 _ THREAT OF DESTRUCTION. TRUE STORY OF GER3IAN BLACKMAIL. (ntoii orni own correspondent.) LONDON. November 11. The Chateau de Marchais, a gem of 16th century architecture, filled with treasures of art, situated in the Canton SLssorine,_ and the property of the Princo of Monaco, was ordered by tho Germans to be destroyed by November Ist. General yon *Bulow laid the charge on September 19th against tho local inhabitants in the following letter to the 3layor of Sissonne: —"It has been proved by evidence that tho road lending from Sissonno to the next railway station, Montaigu, has been covered with Broken glass at intervals of 50 metres on this 18th of September, which was undoubtedly done to impede the movement of automobiles. I hold the Commune of Sissonne responsible for this hostilo act by Hβ inhabitants, and I punish it with a fine.of 500,000 f. (£20,000). This sum must bo paid before the 15th October to the Treasury on this post." The inhabitants protested against the charge, and said that the broken glass was merely the broken bottles, tho contents of which the German Army had consumed. . The Mayor thought that tho Commune could possibly raise 120,000 f. and suggested asking the Prince of Monaco for aid. After much quibbling, General yon Krupka consented to allow time for two delegates to proceed to the Prince of Monaco, and his letter dated St. Quentin, October loth, runs:—"Tli© delegation must loav© on the l£th of the month, will receive, a pass, and my automobiles puS at its disposal will reach a German railway station, from which it must- leav4 at once, by train and proceed through Switzerland without delay. I am also ordered by his Excellency to tell you that the remaining part of the fine must be paid before November isf.The delegation is instructed to mention this decision to H.S.ET. the Prince of Monaco, adding that if this sum is not paid, besides other acts this the Chateau of tho Princo and thY Commune of Marchais will be demolished and burnt." THE PRINCE'S EEPLY. Tho Princo of Monaco received the delegation, and gave it the following letter for General yon IJtilow :— "Monaco, October 22nd. 1014—-Mon-sieur le General. —To avoid for the Commune of Sissonne and for that of ■Marchais the rigorous fate with which you hay© threatened them,l on my honour pledge myself to remit to H.M. the Emperor Wilhelm, if the war ends without intentional damage to my residence or to the two Communes, the sum necessary to complete The 500,000 f., which Sissonne is fined by you. As a Sovereign Prince, I wiTI treat with the Sovereign who durtng 1? years, called mc his friend and made mc a Knight of the Black Eagle. My conscienco and my dignity bring m© far beyond any feeling of fear, and my energy will bring mo beyond all regret, but if you destroy the Castle of "larchais, which is a centro of science interesting to tho whole world and of charity—if you reserve for this jewel of arehteology and history ttfe fate of the Cathedral of Rheims without any hostile act against yon on its part-, the world will judge between you and mo. I address to your Excellency the expression of my highest consideration." . "1 forward to .your Majesty several documents concerning an affair very gravo and urgent. General yon Bulow has occtrpied for a month and a half my residenco of Marchais, siEuated live kilometres from the village of Sissonne. The General has fined the 1500 inhabitants of this poor ruined village 500,000 f., of which they are unable to pay more than a fourth part. Moreover, he sent mc two delegates, bringing documents in which he threatens to destroy my residence and the village of Marcbais, besides that of Siesonne, iv case I would not take on mv shoulders, and this before the end of October, the aforementioned sum. This is how a Prussian General acts towards a Sovereign Prince who ■was during 40 years th» friend of Germany, and who has received from every country of tho world tokens of respect and gratitude for his work. I aaswerod the demand of General yon Bulow saying that I pledged my sett on my honour to complete the said 000.0C.0f., because I wish to prevent a horrible

action, coldly accomplished, but as a Sovereign Pnnc© I put this question before the judgment of the Emperor, declaring that the aforesaid sum will bo paid when the Chateau do Marchais shall be freed from the risk of intentional destruction. I am, with great respect, your Majesty, your devoted servant and cousin. (Signed), Albert Sovereign Prince of Monaco." So far. the Kaiser's reply has not been made public.