The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-16

pie. if they had veneration for their traditions,
| or il they had sovereign firmly established
upon the throne, we might belleVe IN the graf
itude of the Emperor ana his son, and attach
some importance to that gratitude; oat @ Ior tne
last eighty years the governments or France
have changed with such singular rapidity, 80
much ont OF the ordinary course of events and
beyond all foresight that nothing can be re-
lied upon in your country; and that to found
hopes on the friendship OF French monarchy
would, on the part of a neighbor nation, be
simply insanity, 1t would be like attempting
to build castles in the air. Besides, what folly
to imagine that France could forgive our sue
cesses You are an irritable people, you are
envious, jealous, and excessively proud. since
two centuries France has thirty times declared
war to Prussia-that is, to Germany-and this
time you have declared 1t as usual, from jeal.
ousy, because you could not forgive us our
victory of Sadowa; and yet Sadowa did not
cost you anything or In the least tarnish your
glory, but you thought that victory was mon
opoly which was solely reserved for you. You
could not bear to see near you natlon equal
ly as strong as you. You could not forgive US
Sadowa, where neither your interests nor your yn,
glory were In the least compromised; and Will
you forgive US the disaster OF Sedan Never.
If we were to make peace now, In fVe years,
In ten years-as soon as you were a0le--you
would recommence the war. This ls all tne
gratitude which we could expect from tne
French people. We Germans are, on the con-
trsry, an honest and peaceable nation, VINO
are never actuated by the desire OF conquest.
and would ask nothing but to live In peace II
you did not constantly disturb US by your
ouarrelsome humor. Our patience Is exhaust
ed. France must be chastlsed for her prlde,
and her aggressive, ambitious character; we
want at least to insure the safety OF our chlldren
and to do this we must have between France
and us territory, fortresses, and frontiers
that can protect US forever from attack on ner
part.
General wimpfen. Your Excellency is mis-
taken in judging thus the French nation. You
believe that she is the same as In 1915, and
you Judge her after the verses OF few poets
and the writings of few Journals: The
French of to-day are entirely different:
Thanks to the prosperity OF the Empire all
minds are turned to speculations, TO business
and to art. Every one tries to increase the
amount OF his Well-being, and thinks rather OF
his individual interests than o. glory. They
are ready in France to proclaim the fraternity
of peoples. Look at England. What has De-
come Of that hatred which once divided
France and Eugland? Are not the Engllsn
our best friends to-day? Such Will oe tne
case with Germany If you show yourselves
generous-if harsh measures 20 not revive the
extinguished passions.
FRANCE MUST BE cRUsgED.
Count Bismarck, shaking his head doubtful
|
ship between France and England, replied:
| must interrupt you here, General. NO, France
| ia not changed; it Is she that wanted the war,
and 1t Is TO flatter the popular mania for glory
that Napoleon III, In the Interest OF MS dynas.
/ ty, provoked us. I know very well that the
solid and reasonable part OIL Ine French peo,
ple did not clamor for war; still they received
the Idea with favor. We know very we'll that
it was not the army any more than the peo-
ple that was hostile TO us; but the party IN
France which did clamor for war Is even tnat
which makes and unmakes the government.
With you 1t Is the populace and the "Journai-
istsn The laid a particular stress on the last
word.) 1t is they whom we want to punish,
and to do this We must 60 70 Parls. VINO
knows what may happen? Perhaps there
will form itself among you government
which respects nothing, when makes laws
to suit It's convenience, which VIII nOs
recognize the surrender you VIII nave slgneo
| for the army; which will, perhaps, compel the
officers to violate their promises for tney
will no doubt defend themselves at any price.
| We know very we'll that In France soldiers are
| quickly formed, but young soloiers are not
worth veterans; and moreover, what can oy
no means be improvised, Is corps OF ohcers.
We want peace, but a lasting peace, ana on
| the terms which have already mentioned. TO
attain this we must take away from france
| the possibility of resisting US. Inc late OF pat
ties has delivered over to US the best soldiers
and the best officers OF the French army. 10
/ set them at liberty, 80 as to expose ourselves
| to see them again march against us, would oe
| folly; that would be prolonging the war, and
| the interest of our people is opposed TO sucn q
policy. No, General, however we may sympa-
| thize with your position, however hatterlnS
be the opinion we have of your army, we can
not comply with your request and change the
| frst terms which have been proposed to you.
General Wlmpffen with dignity.) Well,
| then, 1t Is equally impossible tor me to sign
such q surrender; We shall recommence the
battle.
| NAPOLEON SURRENDERs.
General Castelnau here began, with hesi:
tating voice. think the moment has arrived
for me to deliver the message ct the EN-
Count Bismarck. We are ready to hear you,
General.
General Casteluau. The Emperor has charg.
ed me to inform his Majesty, the King OF Prus
sIa, that he sends him his sword uncondltton.
ally; that he personally and absolutely sur
renders himself to his mercy, but that ne q,
acted thus only in the hope that the King vii
be moved by such complete selcabandon.
ment, and 10 consideration of 1t he would
grant to the French army more honorable
surrender, such as 1t deserves for Its courage
Count Bismarck. Is this all j?
General Castelnau. Yes.
Count Bismarck. What manner OF sword is
that which the Emperor Napoleon III sur
renders, Is 1t the sword OF France or his OWL
sword If it Is the sword of France the con
dtions may be slngularly modified, and your
message would be OF very grave character
General Castelnau. 1t Is only the sword o
the Emperor.
Count Moltke (hurrledly and almost joy
fully.) In that case tiere ls no change IN our
terms. The Emperor will obtain for his person
all he may be pleased to ask. (Here there ap
peared to be secret difference of opinion be-
tween Count Bismarck and Count Moltke, fol
the former, 1t seemed, would not have been
sorry to terminate the war, while Moltke was
on the contrary, desirious Of continuing it,
General Wimpffen replied: 1--WE shall re
commence the battle"
Count Moltke. The truce expires to-mor
row morning at four o'clock. At four O'CLOCK
precisely shall open fire.
Here all arose, and gloomy silence prevailed
for moment.
RESISTANCE IS HoPELEss-ALL Is LOST.
Count Bismarck again addressed General de
Wimpfen. Yes, General, you have valiant and
heroic soldiers. doubt not that they will DC
wonders of valor tomorrow and cause us seri.
GUS losses; but what good will 1t do you? To
morrow you will not be any further advanced
than to-day, and you will have on your con
science the blood Of your soldiers and that o
ours, which you will have uselessly caused tc
i be shed. Let a.moment Of mortihcation mol
prevail on you to break up the conference.