Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-10-30
THE REVENGE OF HISTORY

President Wilson's insistence that
che Allies cannot discuss peace with
the present German Government, as
it represents "the military masters
and monarchical autocrats," has call
ed attention to the attitude OF BIS
marck in 1871 when France, owing 70
his assimilation in bringing on the
Franco-Prussian war, lay PROSTATE
at the feet of Prussian autocracy.
France was then begging for reason
able terms of peace and for an armls-
lice to allow of an opportunity for
arranging terms of such character.
DR.. Moritz Busch, who was Tor
twenty-five years in close official and
private intercourse with Bismarck,
tells us in his celebrated work, "Bis-
marck-Some Secret Passages Of His
History" how this great Chancellor,
well-named the "Apostle of Blood and
Iron" hooted the French peace pro-
.posals. Dr.. Busch informs Us that
Bismarck gave him notes for an ar
ticle in the Norddeutsche Allgemeine
Zeitung, the Chancellor's semi-offic-
ial organ, as follows:
The first condition upon which the
chancellor of the federation insisted
in speaking to the various persons
who have desired tc negotiate with
him respecting peace was the cleo
ton of an Assembly representing the
will. of France He addressed the
same demand to the emissaries of Re-
publics, the Imperialists. ETC., desires
to grant all possible facilities for thus
consulting the wishes of the popula-
ton. The form of government IS a
matter Of entire Indifference to him.
But we can deal only with a real
government recognized by the ma
Iion."
The Paris government Of that day
in its dire necessity kept on endeav-
oring to secure an armlstice. Bis
marck then handed DR.. Busch an
other sketch from which 10 prepare
an article for the Press.
awe are carrying on war not with
a view to the permanent occupation
of France, but to secure peace on
the conditions we have laid down.
For that reason we desire TO nego-
tiate with government which repre-
sents the will of France, and whose
declarations and concessions will bird
France as we'll as ourselves. The
present government has not that
character. 1t must be confirmed by
a National Assembly. or replaced by
another government. A general cleo
ton is necessary for that purpose"
A convention, as all familiar with
that period knew. was held on the
2Sth of January, 1871, and concluded
between Bismarck aud Jules Favre
when Bismarck dictated the follow
ing:
Germany has secured the right 20 :
see that a public authority is estab- !
lished, which will possess the attrio- /
utes necessary to enable it to nego- !
tia;e pace in the name e Prince. =
Ger,n*"% x denied he ',Gh' % aero
t.a.e -, peace n'n ihr Whole a;tiHr
Inc Avcio.i,s CooHrnt.na w"1,' /
t.'ylyfo~e rrrums nN.l ant vol.
! It possible tnai tres;t:". M {
sta. wf1o is great student Of his i
tcry, IS Sk!!fully br;ugin" home to :
ne German Autocrats OF the present |
iay. placed IN similar circumstances
is rhr France they tired undersoot a.
nest tcr:E-eight years ago By the ac-
ton Of BisGsrrk the>yeal power be- .
}jnH sEkss 4ssss:ass,;y'l kt'1g,the haissrs, .
graFfitaers At any ratesthe3 PRESS: J !
ttF,, tt,rests his case. rs the Spokesman : !,
'of 80 ,SIii;;SSs. OF B;znia5rcxs state {