Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-14
HOW BISMARCK FORCED THE FRANCo-GER
MAN WAR.


HOW BISMARCK FORCED THE FRANCo-GER-
MAN WAR.
The Paris Figaro has commenced series
of recollections of the last years of Napoleon
Ill, under the signature "Fidus." They
include the following version of what passed
on the eve of the declaration of war, which
is said to have been obtained from NJ. LOU
vet, who was Minister in 1870:
The Emperor now believed he was sure
from what was told him, that all was ready:
and as regards material this was true. Only
one thing troubled him. If war had to be
made, there was no man capable of direct
ing it. In this state of affairs the Council
of Ministers met. A decision had to be
come to- 1t was no longer possible to de-
lay, and every one was perplexed, not see
ing how to escape from this fatal necessity.
Suddenly, at an hour already late-tve
or six o'clock-the Duo de Grammont said
"Here is what propose. Call con-
gress of the great powers, which will
settle the dispute and enforce the dec-
sion. Whatever it is, we shall be pro-
tected and war will be evaded. If the
congress wishes the Prince of Hohenzol.
lern to reign in Spain we have nothing to
fear from it. What the Spanish are is
known they will not support him. His
reign will be short, and we shall have no
ground for selfreproach. Let US, then,
hand over the decision of this great affair to
a Congress- That means no longer war, but
peace"
No sooner was the proposal made than
the expression on the face of the minis
ters changed. All were enthusiastic.
"It is deiverance," said the Emperor. ut
is unanimously approved of. There is no
use in making further inquiry until we have
the Congress. M. Olivier" added the EN-.
peror, "this resolution must be at once
communicated to the Chambers. They are
still sitting, and you have time to go to the
Chamber Of Deputies. Go into the room at
the side and draw up short declaration,
which you will read to US and then commu
nicate to the Chamber. I, however, will tell
the President to continue the sitting"
NJ. Olivier entered the side room, and
remained there for long time, and,
whether through fatigue or unwilling
ness, he, who generally was such an able
writer, came back with an utterly un-
suitable declaration, which met with ap.
proval from no one, and which he himself
confessed was insufficient. In consequence
| layed to the next day, that M. Olivier
should prepare at leisure what was required
and that the document should be read next
day in the Chamber. A message was sent
| to the President that he might close the sit
| ting, and the Council separated after agree.
| ing to meet next day at o'clock.
The Emperor, on leaving the Tuileries to
go to st. Cloud was cheered by the crowd
collected in the square and on the quay.
The crowd called for war, without under
standing all that it meant. On arriving at
| St. Cloud, the Emperor was surrounded by
several persons, who had brought the news
of the famous article inserted in the German
newspapers, in which it was stated that the
King of Prussia had dismissed NJ. Benedetti,
telling him that he had nothing further to
add. Count Bismarck had circulated and
published this false statement throughout
all Germany in order to compromise every
thing, to force the hand of France, and to
bring on war. And he attained his object.
| The Deputies and the Senators who sur
rounded the Empress, and who had been
invited to stay to dinner, were indignant.
They Wed with each other in expressing
most forcibly the necessity for replying to
the insoence by declaration of war. They
said ut isimpossible to draw back to hesi
tate would be shameful" The Empress re.
ceived these ardent words as accorded with
her warm temperament and Spanish pride.
Nothing but the "Marseillaise" was wanting
in the drawing room at St. Cloud. This
was the news received on bis arrival by the
unfortunate Emperor, who had left the
Tuileries treasured, and SO full of confidence
and hope.
| We saw at once the consequences of this
new incident The Congress had become
impossible. The declaration could not be
made. Other resolutions should be taken;
other means sought for. Could war be
Eavoided? There had been the closest ap-
proach to an escape. 1.-THE declaration had
been made at o'clock in the Chamber, there
would have been an end to the difficulty;
now all had to be- begun again.
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