The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-18
FIGHTING BISMARCK.
The Emperor's Qualification Tho War Waa ed
by france Aaainst Bismarck.


The following is the article in the Journal
0fioie, already referred to by the cable reports,
concerning the object of the war;
1t is not against Germany that we wage war; it is
against Prussia, or rather against the policy Of
ments and respecting the principles OF nationality,
the Emperor and his Government never had any
other than friendly attitude towards the great Ger
man race. When arresting at vilafranca the
triumphant march Of the French troops, his Majesty
the regret OF being obliged to fight with Germany
for the freedom OF the peninsula When, In
there Se king william then Prince Regent Regent Of Prussia
the Kings OF Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Saxony, and
Hanover, the Grand Dukes OF Hesse-Darmstadt,
Baden, and SaXe-W eimar, the Dukes OF Coburg and
Nassau, and IN giving them the most emphatic as
surances he offered those princes his own friendship
William visited Compeigne he met a warm and
courteous reception. Before Sadowa the Emperor
Foreign Afrairs a letter which promulgated pro.
gramme favorable to the prosperity of the
Gema9e or tSa to the aspirations
sia all satisfaction compatible with the liberty nde-
pendence, and equilibrium of Germany; to maintain
for Austria her grand position among the Germapic
populations; to assure to secondary States a more
Intimate union, more potent organization, more
Majesty. The realization Of these ideas, so 1nfa-
vorable to the wishes and the interests Of the Ger
law and justice; il would have spared to German ~
all the misfortunes of despotsm aud war.
Let us compare with % this programme of the En-
has succeeded in reducing to practice. For long
years profound peace had existed between all Ger
tuted war, destroying the Germanic Confederation,
and sinking an abyss between Austria and France.
was one of its principal forces NJ de Bismarck
has betrayed the common country To en-
ngs nd the das aas IS ssssn wSsn r
from the other side Of the Rhine all true patriots
will make bitter reproaches for her action. Not
content with rending asunder the ties which united
Prussia to the Germanic Confederation, she did not
fear to brutay despoi princes whose sole fault had
been fidelity to federal obligations Let the countries
annexed to Prussia compare their actual condition
with their situation before 1866. Tranquil, rich,
Of moral and material prosperity To-day 'hss these
countries deeply regret their princes. Crushed
under the burhen of excessive taxes ruined in their
agricultural employ to their women they have been
forced to lavish their money and their blood for
Hessians, inhabitants of Nassau and of Frankfort 1T
was not enough for you to be the victims of NJ de
Bsmarck's ambition; the Prussian Minister wants
you to become his accomplices You were worthy Of
a better cause.
1t is melancholy reflection thus to prove how far
sovereign may be drawn on, who, in place of obey
ing the inspirations of his own head and mind places
himself under the domination Of an unscrupulous
Where is now that time when King William said
when accepting the regency Z" Prussia can only
had told that prince, whose intentions were then
loyal, and who had such respect for right, that
day would come when he would violently, and
without cause pretext dispossess the most res
pectable princes OF Germany, when he would seize
not only the Saf the or of
when he would. smite the ancient free city of
Frankfort on the cheek with the secular glories of
Germany-never would he have given credit to such
viii he never lose confidence in minister who
granted courteous reception to the Espresentatve
OF France, and who maintained to the British Min
lister that such conduct was exciting in Prussia
If we have seen with regret the excesses COM
mitted against the princes Of Northern Germany,
which the princes of the South have been subjected.
Would the populations Of Southern Germany be
right to entertain Indignation against France? Did
not Bavaria after Sadowa address herself to US to
save the integrity OF her territory, and did we not
hasten to comply with her wishes? Who demanded
for the States OF the South independent national
existence? Who demanded that the sovereigns
of these countries instead Of being transformed
into crowned prefects should preserve all the pre-
| negatives OF real sovereignty, which would have
been the guarantee of independence and liberty to
their States? Full OF respect for the qualities of
| these brave honest, and laborious populations we
know that as they would have willingly entered on
purely Prussian war. Our traditional SYM
| pathes for the Southern States survive war
tSen the people viii perceive that we were ' their
| true friend. The Emperor said in his proclamation
that he wishes the countries which compose the
own destnies. To deliver Germany from Prussian
oppression, to conciliate with the rights OF sover
eigns the legitimate aspirations OF the peoples, to
stop the excessive armaments which are menace
to Europe, to preserve the Danish nationality from
complete ruin to conquer equitable and desirable
peace founded on moderation, upon justice and upon
| right; such is the general thought that presides
| now beginning is no war Of ambition,
I it is war for equilibrium. 1t is the defense
of the week against the strong, the reparaton of
great iniquites, the chastisement Of unjustinable
acts. Far from obeying dictates OF hatred OF hatred
and revenge we have the calmness conferred by the
accomplishment Of duty. We appeal in all CONT
dence to public opinion Of peoples and of
| kings We desire that Germany, in place OF putting
her forces to the service OF Prussian ambition and
| se1shness, should follow a course OF wisdom and
prosperity. The future will prove the elevated
| views OF the imperial policy, and Germans them
selves will hnish by rendering justice TO the loyalty
| OF France and her sovereign.