The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-11-02
BismarcIx's Report TO King William.
ON the capitalization of Sedan.

Count Bismarck to King William regarding the cap
DoscHEHY, Sept 2, 1870.
After had repaired hither, last evening, by your
Majestys command in order 10 take part in the ne
gotiaiious the capitulation they were Interrupt
ted tin about l A. NJ, by the granting OF time for
consideration This General Wimpffen begged for
aner General Molike had firmly declared that no
condition other than laying down Of arms would be
approved and that the bombardment would be re-
sumed at A NJ, If the capituation were not preyi-
ously concluded Early this morning toward 10
O'Clock. General Relic was announced to me, and
he Informed me that she Emperor wished to see me,
and was already on his way from Sedan. The Gen
eral Immediately turned back in order TO tell his Maj
esty that ] was following him, and shortly after
wards half way between here and Sedan, in the vi
cinity Of Frenos, found myself opposite the En-
peror His Majesty in open carriage with
three superior officers, and with like number on
horseback close by. Among the latter were Generals
Csstelnau, Kelley, Moskawa, who appeared woun-
ded in the foot and Vaubert were personally known
to me. Arrived at the carriage dismounted step
ped MP Immediately TO the Emperors side, and asked
His Majesiy's commands. The Emperor expressed
wish your Majesty, apparently thinking that
your Majesty was at Donchery. After / had re-
piled that your Majesiys headquarters were at the
moment three (German) miles distant, at Yendresse,
the Emperor asked whether any place had been fixed
in the locality whittier he might repair and, in fine
what my opinion was on the matter. replied that
had come here when it was quite dark the country
being unknown to me- and placed at his disposal the
house occupied by me at Donchery, which would
at once vaeaie The Emperor accepted this, and pro
oeeded toward Donchery, but halted about 100 PAGES
\. int no fnu hpfpr
working mans house, standing by ITSELF and asked
whether be could dismouut there sent Count
Bismarck Bohlen who, in the interim, had followed
me 20 the house. and after be had announced
that its internal accommodation was very poor and
narrow but then it was free from wounded, the
Fmperor dismouuted and directed me 20 follow him
inside Here, in a very small room, containing one
table and two CHAIRS had about an hours CONVEX
sstion with the Emperor His Majesty extreme
" anxious TO obtain favorable terms Of capitu
latiou for the army declined TO discuss this mat
ter with His Majesty, when purely a military
question was pending between General Moltke and
General wimpffen. On the other hand, asked the
Emperor whether His Majesty, was inclined TO ne
Cotiate for peace, the Emperor replied that, as
prisoner he was not in position TO do so, and
on my further question, by whom, in his view, the
executive authority of France at present repre-
seuied His Majesty referred me TO his government at
Paris. After the clearing up of this point, which
from the Emperors letter of yesterday to your Maj
esty could not be certainly judged OF, perceived,
and did not conceal this from the Emperor, and the
situation to day yesterday, offered no other prac
teal question than the military one, and sgnihed
the necessity which therefore rested on us of OBJ
tanning before all things through the eapitulation
OF Sedan, material pledge for the stability OF the
military results already achieved. had already yes
terday evening considered the question on all sides
with General Motke whether it would be possible,
without prejudice German Interests TO offer more
favorable conditions than those laid down, in defer
encc to the military feeling of honor of an army
which had fought we'll After due consideration
we had felt ourselves obliged to settle the question
in the negative When, therefore General Moltke,
who meanwhile had come from the town, went to
your Majesty for the purpose OF laying before you
the Emperor's wishes, this not, your Majesty
knows, with the intention Of supporting them
The Emperor then went out into the open air.and
invited me to sit by him before the door Of the
house His Majesty submitted to me the question
whether was not practicable 10 allow the French
army to the Belgian frontier in order that they
might be disarmed and "interned." had already,
the previous evening, conversed this eventuaity
With General Moltke regarded the political stu
alton, on my side did not take the initiative, nor
did the Emperor, except that be depored the misfor
tune Of war aud affirmed that be himself had not de-
sired war hut had been forced into it by the pres
sure OF public opinion in France
Through inquiries in the place, and especially |
through a search by officers of the general staff it
had meantime, between and 10 o'clock, been aseer-
tanned that the Chateau of Bellevue, near Frenos |
was suited TO the reception of the Emperor, and |
moreover, was not occupied by wounded. l men
toned this TO His Majesty, fixing Frenos as the,
place which 1 should propose TO your Majesty for
the interview, and, accordingly put it to the EmPe-
ror whether His Majesty would wish TO proceed
ihither at once as to remain within small work
iugman's cottage was incouvenient and the Empe-
ror would possibly require some rest. His Majesty
acqulesced aud | accompanied the Emperor-a
guard of honor of your Majesty's body-euirassier
regiment preceding him-to the Chateau of Bellevue,
where in the interim the Emperors additional suite
and equpages the arrival of which out of the town
bad till then appeared uncertain, had come from
Sedan. General Wimpflen also arrived, with whom,
10 expectation of the return Of General Moke, the
discussion Of the capitulation negotiations, broken
of yesterday renewed by General Podbielsky,
in the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Verdy and
General Wimpffens chief Of the staff, both of which
officers drew up the protocol. / only took part in
them by setching the political and legal situation
according to the explanation given me by the EN-
peror himself From Count Nostiz commissioned
by General Molike, received the announcement
that your Majesty would the Emperor only after
he conclusion of the capitnlation-an intimaion of
which we hope the other side of obtaining other
conditions than those laid down given up. rode
On upon this with the intention of informing your
Majesty of the position of affairs toward Doncherry
out on the way met General Moltke with the text
IF the capitulation approved by your Majesty: and
his after went together to Frenos, was then ac-
,epted aud signed without dispute. The conduct of
General wimpfen, also that of the other French
Generals the previous night was very becoming.
That brave officer could not refrain from expressing
o me his great pain at being called on, fory-eight
iours after his arrival from Africa, and half day
lfter taking the command, 70 subscribe his name to
capitulation so deporable for the French nation
Want Of provisions and munitions however, and the
bsoute impossibility ofany further defence imposed
III him General, the duty of restraining his per-
cnal feelings, as further boodshed could not alter
be situation The concession of the release of the
ulcers on their word of honor was accepted with
warm thanks as expression of your Majestys in
ention not TO overstep the limits which our poli
al and military interests made necessary with regard
o the feelings Of an army which had fought bravely
70 .bss continent General Wimpffen afterward gave