The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-10

the press ia teemiog not confined to this point.
Treason is charged, and, strange to cay, French
soldiers, prisoners In Germany. utter the Same
words. Their answer 70 the questions asked them
Is, "Nous sommes trohi r,
EMPEROR NAPoLEoN-poor men! ID Is their
mistaken pride and ambition. They are naturally
10th to acknowledge or oven beteye that they
have been conquered.
0oHREsroNDEsr-But, your Majesty, yon your
self are reported to have said on one occasion OF
a ;, verse on the field of battle, "Jg suis hahSg"
r,,,v,. ~ NAPoLEoS-I did not. IL Il a pure
invention, lih.s 50 many others. What may have
said, and what na.'y members of the government
said, was, probably, 1--WE deceived ourselves
as to the strength Of our own army
as we'll as that Of the PrussiSns." As
for myself, basing my opinion upon perso nal con-
yiction, have often cautioned my M ristsrs
against erroneous estimates. well reeollect now
often Marshal Mel pointed to drawers in his de az
and told me, Win confldsat mien, that the araty
was completely organized and equipped audi
ready for every operation. II was no less tho
case with Marshal Lsbeuf. hwas probably no
fault Of their hearts,, but OF their heads, that
they would not listen to me when
told them that we could not compete
with Prussias military establishment; that our
effective strength, as compared to hers, was in
sufficient. This was the ddce ption. the fanlt OF
which must be shared raoresor less by oil of u.s.
and which has led to the most disastrous results.
We were to have had ready for service at q
moments notice 200 900 reserves When they
were needed. however, not more thaa, one half the
number were at hand, and these'only after de-
lay of weeks. Thus the Prussans gots "aheaP OF
US, as you would say. Notwithstanding all this
the bravery of our troops obliged than to use
double numbers Of men, &c4, to gainta asy VIC
tories. What Is the feeling in E'erlin?
CoRRHsroNpENT-Pea is the general desre
OF the people. Peace by all meavs.
EMPEROR NApoLEoN-France, too, needs peace.
But the conditions imposed by Account Bismarck
are too exacting, extreme, sir. What govern
ment in France could accept the m and at the
same time maintain itself against, the outraged
peoples France cannot endure 80 do ep humilia-
ton.
CoRREspoNDENr--As to the sentinel 1t in Berlin,
the people have been SO worked up on by the
official press that it may be regarded as an Inn
possibility for even Bismarck to lower his de.
mand for territorial anne xation on til largest
scale.
EXTERIOR with deep emotion.) France cannot
bear this!
ConREsPoSDESr.--Consid that yotr Ma
jesty may be recalled to the throne, and france
may yet become prosperous, though losing q por.
ton Of her territory, why should your Ma jesty
| commit yourself on question of this character?
EMPEROR NAPOLEON (musingly.J-You may DO
| right.
At this moment the Emperor, who had been all
cheeriuness previously, sighed for the first time.
CORRESPONDENCE your Majesty have the
goodness to explain why tho provisional govern
ment obstinately refuses to hold an election for
Representatives in the Constituent Assembly,
EMrERoR-In my opinion because it Is afraid OF
the reds.
CoRREsPoSDENT-Should they not have just as
much reason to apprehend that large number Of
Bonapartists may be returnedg
EMPERoR-I do not think so. The discordant
elements Of socialism, communism and an-
archy have spread terror throughout the country
and gotten the upper hand, and it is very difficult
to contend with such utopian and seductive infu-
ences.
CORRESPONDENT am pleased to see evidences
Of your Majesty's bodily health and strength.
But does your Majesty feel mentally strong
enough to resume the reins Of government in case