THE DECLARATION OF WAR IN THE FRENCH SENATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 719, 12 September 1870, Page 3

THE DECLARATION OF WAR IN THE FRENCH SENATE.

The following is a translation of the official report of the proceedings in the French Senate: — " Paris, July 15. Senate. — "Extract of Proceedings of Friday, July 15. President — His Excellency M. Rouher. At the commencement of the sitting the Minister of Foreign Affairs read the following declaration:— 1 The manner in which the country ha 9 received our declaration of the 6th July, having assured us that you approve our policy, and that we could count irfon your

support, we at once opened negotiations with foreign powers to obtain their good offices with Prussia, in order that she might recognise the legitimacy of our complaints. In these negotiations we have asked nothing of Spain, wishing neither to awaken its susceptibilities nor cramp its independence. We have not treited with the Prince of Hohenzollern, whom we c insider shielded hy the King; we have equally refused to mix recrimination with our discussion, or to allow it to transgress the limits we assigned to it from the flrst. The Powers have for the most part answered with the most earnest promptitude, and they have more or lesß warmly admitted tho justice of our claim. The Prussian Minister of Foreign Affairs endeavoured to baulk the discussion, by pretending that he was ignorant of the business, and that the Berlin Cabinet knew nothing of it. It was then our duty to address ourselves to the King in person, and we ordered our ambassador to present himself to His Majesty at Ems. Admitting that he had authorised the acceptance by the Prince of Hohenzollern of the candidature which had been offered, the King of Prussia maintained that he appeared only as head of the family, and not as sovereign, and that he had neither called his Ministers together nor sought their connsel. His Majesty, however, acknowledged that he had informed Count Bismarck of those various incidents. (Sensation.) We could not consider these replies satisfactory. We could not admit this subtle distinction between the King and the head of the family, and we insisted that the King should advise and command Prince Leopold to renounce his candidature. While we discussed the matter with Prussia, the retirement of Prince Leopold came to us from a quarter we did not expect, and was remitted to us by the Spanish ambassador on the 12th July. The King having wished to be considered as a stranger to the matter, we demanded that he should recognise the position, and declare if, by any of those changes always possible in a country just emerging from revolution, the crown were again offered by Spain to Prince Leopold, he would no longer authorise him to accept it, in order that tbe discussion might be considered definitely at an end. Our demand was moderate, as were the terras in which it was expressed— " Say to the King (we wrote to Count Benedetti on the 12th July at midnight), that we have no ulterior design — that we seek no pretext for war — and that we only ask for an honourable solution of a difficulty which is not of our own making." (Cries of " True — very true.") The King consented to approve the renunciation by Prince Leopold, but he refused to declare that he would not at some future time authorise the renewal of the candidature. (Marks of astonishment.) I have asked the King (writes M. Benedetti at midnight on the 13th July) to permit me to announce to you in his name, that if the Prince of Hohenzollern should resume his project his Majesty would prevent it by interposing his authority. The King absolutely refused to authorise me to transmit to you any such declaration. I urged the King to modify bis intentions warmly, but without success. Tlie King finished the conversation by saying that he neither could nor would take any obligations upon himself, and that he would for this eventuality, as for all others, reserve to himself the rightto consult circumstances. (Various exclamations. Several senators — '' Insolence and audacity can go no further.") Although this refusal appeared unjustifiable, our desire to preserve to Europe the benefits of peace was such, that we did not break off negotiations, and notwithstanding our legitimate impatience, and the fear that discussion would only impede matters, we asked to adjourn our explanations till to-day. How great was our surprise when we learned yesterday that the King of Prussia had notified through an aid-de-camp to our ambassador that he would receive him no more — " Oh, oh," and signs of indignation — and that, to make this refusal unequivocal, his Government had communicated the matter officially to the Cabinets of Europe. (Prolonged murmurs). We learned at the same time that M. le Baron de Werther had been ordered to take leave, and that the Prussian forces were in motion. Under these circumstances, any further attempt at conciliation would have been undignified and imprudent. (Repeated bravos). We have neglected nothing to avid war. We now prepare ourselves to face what offers — (general signs of assent) — leaving to either side the responsibility that belongs to it. Yesterday we called in our reserves, and with your concurrence we now take the steps necessary to guard the interests, the security, and the honour of France. (Bravo, bravo). This declaration was received with frequent salvos of applause. Cries of " Vive la France," " Vive l'Empereur," sounded from all sides. On leaving the tribune, a great number of senators shook hands with the Minister, and congratulated him. Fresh shouts of applause were given with unspeakable enthusiasm. The Assembly wus in a state of deep excitement. After some moments of silence, the plaudits and bravos, mixed with warm cries of " Vive L'Empereur," " Vive la France," were given with still increasing vigour, and lasted several minutes. The President — Does any one wish to speak ? No no (from all 6ides) A Senator — Then the word is — " To your guns." The President — The Senate, by its enthusiastic applause, has given its high appobation to the conduct of the Government. (Yes, yes). In its lively emotion it antici pates the noble sentiments of the country. ( Great applause). We bave only now to rely on God and our courage for the triumph of the sword of France. Reiterated cheers ) At the unanimous request of the Senate, the President broke up the sitting in the midst of manifestations of the most patriotic enthusiasm.