New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
SECRET HISTORY
OF WAR OF 1870
Weakness of Napoleon III Made
France the Victim of a
Trick of Bismarck's.

There are likely 10 be many points
Of similarity between the war now
being fought and the Frsnco-Prussian
War Of forty-three years ago, remarks
"Tit-Bits." For instance, the war made
the German Empire and destroyed the
French Empire. Il would not be aston
ishing if the present war should de-
stroy the German Empire and mskeithe
German republic, which will be as great
an improvement upon the present en-
pire as Is the French Republic upon
the empire presided over by Napoleon
III.
In 1866 Germany fought Austria, then
considered by far the most powerful
military power in Europe, and defeated
her. But the war did not fulfil Bis
marck's expectations OF making
united Germany. When Germany ssnd
/ Austria were fghting, Napoleon III ap-
reared inclined 10 support Austria, but
/ he was cajoled by Bismarck, who init
/ mated that il France remained neutral
/ she would be rewarded with a slice OF
territory on the west bank of the
Rhine later on. All France looked for
ward to this magnificent gift, and when
| it was not forthcoming. hatred OF the
/ Germans increased. This was what
/ Bismarck wanted, and, considering war
/ inevitable. he and Moltke devoted
/ themselves TO building IN the German
army and holding it in preparation Tor
| the great day when France would be
maneuvred into declaring war.
The opportunity came in 1870, when
/ Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern was Sc
/ lected as a candidate FOR the throne OF
| Spain by a Spanish party that thought
a German alliance Of great advantage
10 their country. IL is not clear mat
! Bismarck inspired this selection, Ior
| Prince Leopold was not of the royal
I Hohenzollern branch. However, ms
name was submitted. France objected,
/ and Napoleon Ill asked the hlng OF
| Belgium TO use his influence TO have
| tho name withdrawn. This was done.
| and il appeared TO Napoleon that all
danger of friction had passed. IL hap
pcned. however, that the Due de Gram
mont, Foreign Minister OF France, mated
! Germany as much as Bismarck despised
France. On one occasion he had pub-
/ Iiclv expressed his regret that GER
! tain incident gave France no excuse Tor
fighting Germany. lie was resolved that
/ II il were possible to make casus belh
out of the Leopold candidacy IT should
| be made.
So he telegraphed TO Count Bene-
detti, French Ambassador at Berlin
/ that IL would be necessary for the
King OF Prussia 20 associate his name
with the withdrawal Of Prince Leo
mold and give his assurance that he
would not support il should il come up
again Benedetti met the King of Prus-
sia on the promenade at Ems and de-
livered his message. The King avoided
a direct reply, saying that he was OK
Meeting messages he would have 20
neruse' Afterward the King instruct
cd Councillor Abekin to write BIS
marck. who was in Berlin, giving him
an account of the interview, and leav-
ing il in Bismarck's discretion 10 say
whether the demand and its refusal
should be communicated to the press
and the ambassadors.
When the letter reached Bsmsrek
he was in the company OF Won NOME
and Count Won Room. IL was trans
lated from the code and considered by
ali three. Then Bismarck, realizing
that the long sought for weapon was
in his hand. made few changes IN The
message. II was Immediately given,fo
the ambassadors and to the press. All
Germany answered to the call. France
, had insulted her and had been deued'
Ali France responded. Her ambassador
had been insulted by King who re-
fused to speak TO him, and sent an
aide-de-camp with curt message.
Thus a matter that might easily have
been adjusted had there not been
madman in Paris and hend IN Berlin,
led 10 a war that not only overwhelmed
France. but Inundated her IN the eyes
of Furope. and that sowed the seeds o.
the present terrible conflict.