The New York herald., 1871-01-11
BISMARCK ON FRENCH HONOR.

Tho Count's Circular on French Breaches or
Parole.
mail telegram from Berlin of December 25 re.
ports thus:-The text OF the circular transmitted on
the 14th inst by Count Bismarck to the representa-.
tlves OF the North German Confederation at the
different European Courts on the subject Of the
escape and breach of parole on the part Of French
captive officers [of which the HERALD had a very
full report BY special cable telecram, ts as foll0ws:-
VERSAILLES, Dec. IA, 1870.
The frequent escapes OF French Oiiicers In VIOLA
ton OF their word OF honor and the statements pub.
capitulaton Of sedan proye that the noiOns q
honor are not those, with at least some
French officers as on The part
pledged word. On september 2 It was In our
power to render the surrounded army innocuous
by force OF arms or By famine. We consented to ths
well known capitulauon, relying on the faithful
execution Of the contract. by signing that capisu
latton the general commanding the captured troops,
General Won Wimpten, guaranteed It's fulliment on
the part OF the oaiccrs serving under hims
and the latter were bound to carry 1t OUT
OF military honor. We did not KNOW nor could
we take. notice whether lew individual
an army or garrison could not capituate without
a separate declaration OF each single Individual.
AS matter OF fact, ali the 0llcerS Of the army VI
Generals McMahon and Wimpiien VINO were in Sedan
TOOK advantage OF the stpnlations which insured
the the M and pSp SaT see Of them
placed In them-among ethers Generals Ducrot,
Barral and Cambrtels.
You will have noticed in the public journals Q
statement OF the first named officer, IN which ne
describes his escape froln the railway station at
Pont-a-Mousson. Shetering himself behind sophis.
try, on which snal oner no comment, ne describes
the manner in which he abused the confidence placed
IN ' him and how II ne did not break ms word Of
Sisas on the l5tn uIt. General tamDries, ' while
proaches made by the French, mentions inciden-
tally, and as matter Of course, that ne had taken
from Sedan. 10 the best OF my knowledge General
barral mas NOS attempted to deny thas
ne ar s wd o na mot
proceed TO the place OF destination assigned to MIN,
and that ne Immediately afterwards broke his word
not surprised although 1t Is not the painful for
an army Jealous OF its honor that many French sub.
aern officers some OF whose names are mentioned IN
the accompanying list have escaped from Germany,
IN Dreaoh oil their parole. Although the number OF
these olcers who have broken their word OF honor
Is considerable, they only form small portion Of the
number OF their honorable comrades who were not
responsible for the unworthy conduct OF their CON-
er assumes a very different aspect by the govern
ment OF the national defence approving the action
armies Gghting against Us, and by the circumstance
that, as lar as we know, the officers serving In
the French army do not refuse to serve with them.
IL is evident tnat the government of Paris ana all
the officers serving under 1t, have taken share OF
the responsibility for the breach OF faith Of lndi
viduas which Is contrary to all usages OF war; Under
these circumstances the federal German govern
ments are bound TO consider whether 1t is COM
patble with their military interests henceforth to
grant the usual indulgences to French captive
officers, and they will have 10 consider the still
more serious question whether faith can be put In
the fulhlment of future conventions the part OF
French commanders, as OF the French govern
ment, unless at the same time substantial
guarantees are insured. Reviewing the resO-
lutlons OF the German governments I'll this respect,
deem 1t necessary 10 draw the attention OF the
government to which you are accredited to our
present experience, and to the bearing must have
on our International relations with France IN order
that any complaints on the part OF the French
authorities caused by necessary precautionary
measures on sur part may lie duly appreciated. I
request that will read this note to the Minister
same. BISMARCK.