He was accused of bribery during his candidature, and, in spite of Cicero's defence, was condemned.
A member of the royal family, the asafu d-daula, governor of Khorasan, left his government to urge his candidature for the post.
High language was used at Paris; and the French ambassador, Count Benedetti, was instructed to demand from the king of Prussia the withdrawal of the Hohenzollern candidature.
On the other hand, the national party abandoned the candidature to the throne of Prince Casimir of Poland, thus paving the way to the eventual succession of Albert's heir.
Public opinion, excited by the prospect of a war with Chile, naturally supported the candidature of General Roca, and he elected without opposition (12th October 1898).