New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-16
THE WAR IN EUROPE.


ola conversation with Count Benedict on the promen-
ade, on the morning of July 49," says he was COM
manded by the King, about o'clock in the afternoon
to take the following message to the Count: 'His
Majesty has received within an hour a written COM
munication from Prince Hohenzollern, fully confirm
ing the intelligence with regard 10 the withdrawal
of Prince Leopold from the Spanish eanddature.
which the Count had received directly from
Paris. The King regarded this az
final settlement of the question After
| / had delivered this message to Count Bene-
dett he replied that since his conversation with tho
| King he had received new dispatch from the Duke
| de Gramont, in which he instructed 10 request
an audience of the King, and lay before him once
| more the wishes of the French Government. I.
| That he should approve the Withdrawal of Prince
| Hohenzollern q That he should give the assurance
that the same candidature should never he again
! cepted in the future. Hereupon His Majesty com
manded me to reply to the Count that
| he approved of the withdrawal Of Prince
| Leopold in the same sense, and TO the same
extent, he had previously approved of his accept
ance. The written communication which he had
received from Prince Anton Of Hohenzoiesn
father Of Leopold who had been authorized thereto
by Prince Leopold himself In respect to the second
point, assurance for the future, His Majesty could
only refer to what he had said to the Count in the
morning. Count Benedict received this reply Of tho
! King with thanks, and said that he would announce
it to his Government, he was authorized to do. IT,
regard to the second point, however he obliged.
by the express instructions in the last dispatch Of
the Duke de Gramont to request another conversa-
ton with the King if it only to hear repeti
| ton of the same words, especially new
arguments were contained in the last dispatch.
which he would like to present to His Majesty.
Upon this at about half-past O'clock after dinner.
the King ordered me to reply for the third time 70
Count Benedict, that he must decidedly decline
any further discussion of the last point relating to
guarantee for the future. What he had said in the
morning was his final word on that subject, and ho
could only refer to that. Upon being assured that
the arrival of Count Bismarck in Ems the next day
was not certain. Count Benedict remarked that for
his part he would content himself with the deeara-
ton of the King"
The actual demands Of the French Governments
upon the King are contained in Subsequent dis-
patch from Baron Werther the Prsslan Minister 40
Paris In a conversation with the Duke dc IRA
mont the latter remarked that he regarded the
withdrawal of Prince Leopold 40 matter OF second
airy importance, but he feared that the course OF
Prussia in regard to it would occasion a permanent
misunderstanding between the two countries. 10
was necessary to guard against this by destroying
the germ. The conduct Of Prussia toward France
had been unfrendly. This was admitted, to his cer-
tain knowledge, by all the great powers-
To speak frankly he did not wish for
war, but would rather preserve amicabls
relations with Prussia. He hoped that Prussia
had similar dispositions. He was satisfied with tho
intentions of the Prussian Minister, and they could
accordingly freely discuss the conditions of recon-
citation He would suggest the writing Of a letter
to the Emperor by the King, disavowing all purpose
of infringing upon the interests or the dignity OK
France in his authorizing the acceptance of the
| Spanish crown by Prince Leopold. The King should
confirm the withdrawal of the Prince, and express
the hope that all ground of complaint between the
two Governments would thus be removed. Nothing
should be said in the letter concerning the family
relations between Prince Leopold and the Emperor.
The refusal of the King to accept the humilating
conditions proposed by the French Government has
called forth the lveliest approval and sympathy in
all parts of Germany. 1t has awakened deep feel
ing of affection for his person, confidence in his
Judgment and devotion to his interests. He is now
identified, not only with the rights of Prussia but
with the cause of German unity, and the defense Of
German honor.
The day after his final and eventful interview with
Benedict the King left Ems at early hour in the
morning in a special train for Berlin. He took leave
of the crowd which had assembled to witness his de-
parture with evident emotion. Il hope to see you
all once more" said he. God is my witness that
have not desired war but if am forced into it.
will maintain the honor of Germany 10 the last man."
His journey was like triumphal progress. Tho
heartfelt greetings with which he was received by
the people the way indicate the sentiment Of the
whole population. Never, in the history of the
world did sovereign enjoy such enthusiastic ap-
prevail from his subjects for official act The feel
ing is spontaneous and universal. Upon his arrival
at Cobenz he was received by military corps,
called the "War Union,' with music and banners
He could only say, my comrades, rejoice greatly
in the surprise which you have prepared for me.'
At Cassel the capital of the new Prussan province
of Hesse he was welcomed by the authorities of the
city, and large concourse of people. In brief
speech he expressed his satisfaction at finding such
patriotic sentiments in the capital and contin-
ued his Journey amid shouts of congratulations. He
arrived in Berlin, OF rather at the POtsdam station.
about o'clock in the evening. The streets wero
alive with throngs of people who had come TO bid
him welcome home. Every spot IN the vicinity was
full Prussian banners and German flags waved from
all the windows. Many of the houses were illumins
ted. The carriages not allowed to pass in the
street. but were drawn up, full of people, in long
lines on each side The waitng-room of the King al
the station was covered with banners, and filled with
oarlands and wreaths Of fresh flowers. Among tho
crowd were many military officers of the highest
rank the civil authorities of the city, the most emil
nent merchants and bankers, and q host of ladies IN
full dress The great mass of the population II Ber
lin appeared to be present and the streets were 80
completely blocked up that ii almost impossible
to pass At 3 o'clock the Crown Prince, Count Bis
marck. the Minister of War, Gen. Room, and Gen.
Moltke had gone to meet the King at Brandenburg.
1t was there that the King first heard Of the DECLARE
ton of war, and Immediately gave orders for mobil
ling the army. The train was sgnaled at quarter
before O. and entered the station amid shouts of well
co,o Az the KING left the carriage he gave his hand