Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-09-16

Count Bismarck was interviewed by the
Trirrae', war correspondent, in the very
hour of the victory OF Sedan, and in the oz-
utation of the momen; appears to have
been quite communicative. According to
tdis statement Count Bismarck thinks that
Alsace and Lorraine should not be separated
from France. siacc Prussia dl-s no. cove,
provinces which would never he satisfied OF
loyal under her domination but Metz and
Stras5ourg, the -ateways Of the empire, are
to be held by the victor as pledge Of peace.
The apparent li5erality of this proposition
disappears on consideration. With these
two fortresscs in her hand, Pruss., viii have
all France almost az her mercy, and it viii be
Of very slight consequence to her, whether
Al-ace and Lorraine call themselves Psus-
ian or French territory. The report Of the
interview is as follows
broke ground by asking Count Bismarck
what were likely to be the ambitions Of peace
demanded by the King Of Prlssia's Govern
ment.
Heanswe-ed atonce, With great apparent frank
ness and in the clearest manner. ] suppose
need hardly remind your readers that Count
Bismarck speaks capital English.
There are three courses open to Us, hesail.
- with regard to peace with France. We must
stop the possibility Of another so unprovoke1 and
uncalled for attack by the French nation or the
French Government on cur common Faiheriand
No minister who failed to do this could hold Of
fee for week, for the opinion Of al Germany
would be against him. There are, as I have
said, three ways Of stopping an attack on the
Rhine provinces.
First: We might make Alssce and Lorraine
a neutral State like Luxembourg or Belgium, and
so separating France and Prussia by group Of
neutral States but I confess it appears to me
that neutrality Of the existing small States is al
ready so diiicult to protect and is at every mo-
ment capable Of 50 many and such dangerous
complications, that DO not think it would be
worth while to make more neutral States and
with them new duties and dangers.
Secondly; We might annex Alsace and L0r-
raine, and hold them conquered territory.
But | am sure that this would not be looked on
fayorably by the majority Of my German fellow
countrymen. We are all most anxious to COM
pete our unity; but We DO not want any people
among us VINO were unwilling members Of the /
German nation. That tie Alsacians would be
most disloyal subjects Of the King of Prussia in
spite of the great majority Of them speaking the
German language and beng Of Teutone origin. /
there can be no doubt.
Thirdly; There remains 10 Us then az a third /
course, to take Metz and Stras5ourg and keep |
them This is ,ctat IRE shlH 10. Strasbourg .
particularly Is absolutely neeiful FOR the protec-
jian of South Germany which Is ~ the mercy Of
a French army. So long as France possesses
Strasbourg. there Is nothing TO stop French
invading army. Now it would be very unfair
if We were to leave our South German brethren
unprotected after they have fought so brsgely
and well by our side in this campaign Then
again by holding Strasbourg We could always
prevent movement on the Rhine. We should
be able not only to march an army by the valley
Of the Main on Paris, but 20 take French army
marching on MayeDce or Coblentz in flank and
rear. So we have besieeed Strasbourg vigorous
ly; and when We have got the old German town
back again we shall make Gibraltar of it.
- But allow me 20 suggest, | said, " that
the cession of S;rssbourg is not thing to which
France will be easily recouced al the mors
because it is as you say the key Of France on
the East"
My dear Sir" was the reply, you have
been with US continually since our entry into
France | have heard you constantly talking
French. Now. have you not clearly seen that
1t would be difficult for the French to be more
angry with us for our victories over them than
they already are, No, not If we we're encsmp-
ed in the Bots de Bouogne itself And just be
cause they are and will be for many a year
TO come very sore against us, we must take
care not to leave in their hands the means Of
dong US mischief "When you meet
drunken man in the streets, what do you do if
he is mischeyous, Call a policeman, don't /
you? Well, Stresbourg and Metz will have to
be our policemen. and good stout ones, too
q Ii is curious" | remarked. - how much the .
French DO hate the Prussians, and what stories
they tell and believe about you.
Yes answered Count Bismarck, 4" we have
taken the place Of the English 80, nay 20 years
ago. But as they have come to forget their
hatred of perfdous Albion. so they will have
TO find some day or other that there is Some
good in us Also, it seems as if the French ns-
ton stood in constant need of a bugbesr to vent
their wrath upon. For the moment, we are the
bugbears
i ventured then to say, q see that the people
are in great fright in England lest your E1-
cellency should cast covetous eye upon Hol-
and
"Yes, am aware that is an English ides,''
replied the Count " but, like other English
IDEAS. it is not accepted out of the country gifts
birth. We want nothing in Germany that is
not German. Already Posen is looked upon
With no friendly eye by many of my country
men as a non-Teutouic province. There is no
ear of our taking Hollsnd-as little as there is
# the French taking Belgium"
fancied saw quiet twinkle of satisfaction
n Count Bismsrck's eye as be added the above
asst word and perhaps may as well let it be
he last word Of my report. II