Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/113

 assistance of the great republic, in order to drive the allies of that republic into the sea. The title of ally applied to the Austrians and Belgians as well as to the French. These foreign contingents were not only detested by the malcontents, but had also sown disunion round the throne. Serious disagreements had sprung up between them and the Mexicans, who refused to obey the European officers. Art. 5 of the treaty of Miramar had, in fact, stipulated 'that in case of expeditions with French and Mexican troops combined, the chief command of these troops shall belong to the French general' But the Belgians and Austrians had only been summoned to Mexico as troops in the pay of the Mexican treasury, and were consequently subject to the military institutions of the country they were about to serve, thus losing all character of distinctive nationality. In case, therefore, of any combination of troops, the Mexican officers were justified in only accepting orders from Austrians or Belgians of a rank superior to their own. On the other hand, the Belgians complained of having been deceived, and asserted that they had only come as armed colonists intended to cultivate and to defend the land, but not to act as regular soldiers; this misunderstanding had already promoted desertions from their ranks. These northerners, whatever might be their military qualities, were not adapted for a climate such as this, and their powers of action suffered from their temperament not being fit for a partisan war. Besides, the employment of mercenaries is always dangerous and impolitic. The following remark of the Empress Charlotte well describes the state of things:—'The Austrians and Belgians are all very well in quiet times; but when a storm comes, there is nothing like the red trowsers.' The unfortunate princess rendered a just homage to