The Duel Between France and Germany | Page 6

in a French Assembly there were such difficulties on
a certain side in explaining a question of honor." Such was the case as
presented by the Prime-Minister, and on this question of honor he
accepted war "with a light heart." Better say, with no heart at all;--for
who so could find in this condition of things sufficient reason for war
was without heart. [Footnote: For the full debate, see the _Journal
Officid du Soir_, 17 Juillet 1870, and Supplement.]
During these brief days of solicitude, from the 6th to the 15th of July,
England made an unavailing effort for peace. Lord Lyons was
indefatigable; and he was sustained at home by Lord Granville, who as
a last resort reminded the two parties of the stipulation at the Congress
of Paris, which they had accepted, in favor of Arbitration as a substitute
for War, and asked them to accept the good offices of some friendly
power. [Footnote: Earl Granville to Lords Lyons and Loftus, July 15,
1870,--Correspondence respecting the Negotiations preliminary to the
War between France and Prussia, p. 35: Parliamentary Papers, 1870,
Vol. LXX.] This most reasonable proposition was rejected by the
French Minister, who gave new point to the French case by charging
that Prussia "had chosen to declare that France had been affronted in
the person of her Ambassador," and then positively insisting that "it
was this boast which was the gravamen of the offence." Capping the
climax of barbarous absurdity, the French Minister did not hesitate to
announce that this "constituted an insult which no nation of any spirit
could brook, and rendered it, much to the regret of the French
Government, impossible to take into consideration the mode of settling
the original matter in dispute which was recommended by her Majesty's
Government." [Footnote: Lord Lyons to Earl Granville, July 15,
1870,--Correspondence respecting the Negotiations preliminary to the
War between France and Prussia, pp. 39, 40: Parliamentary Papers,
1870, Vol. LXX.] Thus was peaceful Arbitration repelled. All honor to
the English Government for proposing it!
The famous telegram put forward by France as the _gravamen_, or
chief offence, was not communicated to the Chamber. The Prime-

Minister, though hard-pressed, held it back. Was it from conviction of
its too trivial character? But it is not lost to the history of the duel. This
telegram, with something of the brevity peculiar to telegraphic
dispatches, merely reports the refusal to see the French Ambassador,
without one word of affront or boast. It reports the fact, and nothing
else; and it is understood that the refusal was only when this
functionary presented himself a second time in one day on the same
business. Considering the interests involved, it would have been better,
had the King seen him as many times as he chose to call; yet the refusal
was not unnatural. The perfect courtesy of his Majesty on this occasion
furnished no cause of complaint. All that remained for pretext was the
telegram. [Footnote: See references, _ante_, p. 19, Note 1. For this
telegram in the original, see Aegidi und Klauhold, _Staatsarchiv_,
(Hamburg, 1870,) 19 Band, S. 44, No. 1033.]

FORMAL DECLARATION OF WAR.
The scene in the Legislative Body was followed by the instant
introduction of bills making additional appropriations for the Army and
Navy, calling out the National Guard, and authorizing volunteers for
the war. This last proposition was commended by the observation that
in France there were a great many young people liking powder, but not
liking barracks, who would in this way be suited; and this was received
with applause. [Footnote: Journal Officiel du Soir, 17 Juillet 1870.] On
the 18th of July there was a further appropriation to the extent of 500
million francs,---440 millions being for the Army, and 60 for the Navy;
and an increase from 150 to 500 millions Treasury notes was
authorized. [Footnote: Ibid., 20 Juillet.] On the 20th of July the Duc de
Gramont appeared once more in the tribune, and made the following
speech:---
"Conformably to customary rules, and by order of the Emperor, I have
invited the _Charge d'Affaires_ of France to notify the Berlin Cabinet
of our resolution to seek by arms the guaranties which we have not
been able to obtain by discussion. This step has been taken, and I have
the honor of making known to the Legislative Body that in
consequence a state of war exists between France and Prussia,
beginning the 19th of July. This declaration applies equally to the allies
of Prussia who lend her the cooperation of their arms against us."

[Footnote: Ibid., 23 Juillet.]
Here the French Minister played the part of trumpeter in the duel,
making proclamation before his champion rode forward. According to
the statement of Count Bismarck, made to the Parliament at Berlin, this
formal Declaration of War