The Franco Prussian War

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2090, 31 January 1896, Page 4

The Franco Prussian War

In the columns of the "Kreuzzeitung," ITerr Andrae, a well-known Conservative politician and friend of Prince Bismarck, gives some interesting recollections of the period of the war of 1870. He says: "Bismarck read on the 9th of July the speech delivered by the Duke of Grammont on the 6th. He was at dinner, and handed the newspaper to his wife with the words, "The Duke of Grammont must have soon got tired of his office. I shall, of course, have to ask for his resignation." Later in the evening, while walking in the park at Varzin and thinking of the matter, the idea suddenly came to him: "Napoleon wants war, and Grammont's speech was dictated by him." He went to his room, his first thought being to telegraph to the King at Ems as follows: "It would be best to mobilise at once, declare war. and attack before France is prepared." His nerves were strung to the highest tension, and he passed a sleepless night. Lying awake, thinking, there crossed his mind the text: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." "So that won't do," he said to himself. Then all the political consequences of his contemplated action became clear to him, and he ended by casting the first message aside, and telegraphing to King William simply not to pledge himself to anything with Benedetti. who, if he became pressing, was to be told: "My Minister of Foreign Affairs is at Varzin."

King William was, as is well known, greatly troubled at the prospect of war! ' It will, ' he said, at his meeting with Bismarck, Moltke, and Roon on his return from Ems, "cause fearful bloodshed, and at my age I cannot bear the responsibility." He went on to point out that the attitude of the South German States was altogether uncertain Bismarck replied that Prussia wished only to be prepared for an attack, and that France alone would have the responsibility if she declared war. The King turned to Moltke. "You say nothing," he said. "Shall we succeed?" "Tour Majesty," was the reply, "this war is the idea of my life. With South Germany we shall do splendidly, without her we shall do well, but we shall win even against her."