Why should they not struggle for an advantage so tremendous?
Why should they not enter the contest with their millions?
In brief, every great Power took part in the affair, France, England, Russia, Italy, Austria, Germany.

Only the states of the second order refrained from entering, with their smaller resources, upon a useless effort.

The European press published notices identical with that of the United States.

The extraordinary "chauffeur" had only to speak, to become a rival to the Vanderbilts, the Astors, the Goulds, the Morgans, and the Rothschilds of every country of Europe.
And, when the mysterious inventor made no sign, what attractive offers were held forth to tempt him to discard the secrecy in which he was enwrapped! The whole world became a public market, an auction house whence arose the most amazing bids.

Twice a day the newspapers would add up the amounts, and these kept rising from millions to millions.