The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-16
PRUSSIA in '69.
Prophetic Words of Bismarck-The Result OF
the Present War Earet0Id,

Prophetic Words of BismarCk-The Result n
the Present War EOretoId.
The following is taken from article in the last
number of the German weekly paper Daheim, or At
Home. The writer is wel-knowH member OF the
Customs Parliament, Mr.. H. Blume-
80 much senseless abuse is now constantly heaped
by French scribes our great statesman that l
think ia fit and proper for u.s. who have so often
Of late years listened to him in private and condep
jects relating to the present war; at time when we
were in the depth OF peace. They have been kept
private by our circle hitherto, because they to
be considered confidential until their author had
made similar statements in public.
SIT was on the 18th OF June, 1869 when tae lead
ing members OF the Customs Parliament met at Bis
anarck's house for supper. The hock the beer, the
crabs, everything was found excellent, and the con-
men Of the most antagonstic views. AS the evening
grew later, many Withdrew through side door,
the most eloquent speaker for South German in
terests, was about TO disappear in like manner
out Halo, voelk, you must stay to toast the Bridge
Ger the Main; and with these words Bismarck de
taned yoek, who had that very day given this name
the South, Thus we were kept together, and
for an hour we sat and plunged into the
Tited chafI amidst the most serious discussions.
suddenly he became quiet and earnest. The
conversation had. touched upon the LuXemburg
question, and his guests did not conceal their as
Constituent that he should not at that time have
arisen against French arrogance Several geutle-
men described the feeling OF disappointment caused
lie their provinces by the moderation and yielding
remarks almost sounded like a reproach.
''Thereupon, in a few striking words, the Minister
riOd He appeared deeply moved by the subject,
and, with genius sparkling in his deep eye he con-
tinued TO speak to the following efect:-
"I spent long bitter week, which, however, lasted
only Tuesday to Friday, meditatng over the ques-
lid not trouble us, for we had MoitKes assurance
That we should win But the question was whether
we sh9ua commence war with France even though
success This momentous question we decided mega
Jvey, and lesolved to enter upon war only in case
it should be forced upon us.
owe did.consder all the frghtul losses, all the
mourning, and all the misery OF many thousands OF
families Yes, my friends you may look astonished !;
but surely you will believe that too have heart
heart, let me assure you that feels Ike your own
Mar is war, and so terrible its consequences so
hearrending the cry of it calls FORTH that as far
as my influence goes, it shall never be resorted to
except in the last extremity
AFTER a brief pause he continued I'VE thought,
and think, that war with France, by being delayed,
may perhaps be altogether avoided either 6y certain
events taking place in France, or by the French
people learning to see that two powerful nations
have better things TO do than TO carry on pickering
about the border We furthermore considered that
acquisitions OF territory may contain the germ OF
future quarrels, and that the two nations, when
once set at each other, might have life and death
struggle OF it, We determined to he masters in our
own house, but not to change the line OF frontier as
liked
'He concluded speaking inEthat peculiar manner
when deeply excited, breathing quicSly:-"If how
ever they will recognize our desire to be at peace,
and II war is ever forced upon us, we shall devote
our full strength TO it, and you gentlemen OF BaYa-
ria, will then, am sure, hasten to take part IN the
drst battle which, dare say, would be fought near
Metz. Even in the first night ! am convinced We
shall prove superior TO the French in every respect
''He stopped, and DR.. Voelk, 10 keep up this inter
esting conversation, remarked that General Moltkt
last year had assured him that in case of we
Germans should be found to excel the French il
point Of strength and rapidity OF movement.
"'You may take his word for it, my dear SIR SAID
Bismarck with great emphasis He looked very
serious. We now know, from the tener OF the secre
proposals made, how imminent the danger mus
have appeared to him.
''The remaining guests left much impressed by
what they had heard, and when in the street WI
agreed that the words spoken that night should bt
preserved in our memory"