The Duel Between France and Germany | Page 7

was the solitary official communication
from France in this whole transaction, being the first and only note
since the candidature of Prince Leopold. [Footnote: Substance of
Speech of Bismarck to the Reichstag, [July 20, 1870,] explanatory of
Documents relating to the Declaration of War,--Franco-Prussian War,
No. 3, p. 29: Parliamentary Papers, 1870, Vol. LXX. Discours du
Comte de Bismarck am Reichstag, le 20 Juillet 1870: Angeberg,
[Chodzko,] Recueil des Traites, etc., concernant la Guerre
Franco-Allemande, Tom. I. p. 215.] How swift this madness will be
seen in a few dates. On the 6th of July was uttered the first defiance
from the French tribune; on the 15th of July an exposition of the griefs
of France, in the nature of a Declaration of War, with a demand for
men and money; on the 19th of July a state of war was declared to
exist.
Firmly, but in becoming contrast with the "light heart" of France, this
was promptly accepted by Germany, whose heart and strength found
expression in the speech of the King at the opening of Parliament,
hastily assembled on the 19th of July. With articulation disturbed by
emotion and with moistened eyes, his Majesty said:--
"Supported by the unanimous will of the German governments of the
South as of the North, we turn the more confidently to the love of
Fatherland and the cheerful self-devotion of the German people with a
call to the defence of their honor and their independence." [Footnote:
Aegidi und Klauhold, Staatsarchiv, 19 Band, S. 107, No. 4056.
Parliamentary Papers, 1870, Vol. LXX.: Franco-Prussian War, No. 3,
pp. 2-3.]
Parliament responded sympathetically to the King, and made the
necessary appropriations. And thus the two champions stood front to
front.

THE TWO HOSTILE PARTIES.
Throughout France, throughout Germany, the trumpet sounded, and
everywhere the people sprang to arms, as if the great horn of Orlando,

after a sleep of ages, had sent forth once more its commanding
summons. Not a town, not a village, that the voice did not penetrate.
Modern invention had supplied an ally beyond anything in fable. From
all parts of France, from all parts of Germany, armed men leaped
forward, leaving behind the charms of peace and the business of life.
On each side the muster was mighty, armies counting by the hundred
thousand. And now, before we witness the mutual slaughter, let us
pause to consider the two parties, and the issue between them.
France and Germany are most unlike, and yet the peers of each other,
while among the nations they are unsurpassed in civilization, each
prodigious in resources, splendid in genius, and great in renown. No
two nations are so nearly matched. By Germany I now mean not only
the States constituting North Germany, but also Wurtemberg, Baden,
and Bavaria of South Germany, allies in the present war, all of which
together make about fifty-three millions of French hectares, being very
nearly the area of France. The population of each is not far from
thirty-eight millions, and it would be difficult to say which is the larger.
Looking at finances, Germany has the smaller revenue, but also the
smaller debt, while her rulers, following the sentiment of the people,
cultivate a wise economy, so that here again substantial equality is
maintained with France. The armies of the two, embracing regular
troops and those subject to call, did not differ much in numbers, unless
we set aside the authority of the "Almanach de Gotha," which puts the
military force of France somewhat vaguely at 1,350,000, while that of
North Germany is only 977,262, to which must be added 49,949 for
Bavaria, 34,953 for Wuertemberg, and 43,703 for Baden, making a
sum-total of 1,105,867. This, however, is chiefly on paper, where it is
evident France is stronger than in reality. Her available force at the
outbreak of the war probably did not amount to more than 350,000
bayonets, while that of Germany, owing to her superior system, was as
much as double this number. In Prussia every man is obliged to serve,
and, still further, every man is educated. Discipline and education are
two potent adjuncts. This is favorable to Germany. In the Chassepot
and needle-gun the two are equal. But France excels in a well-
appointed Navy, having no less than 55 iron-clads, and 384 other
vessels of war, while Germany has but 2 iron-clads, and 87 other
vessels of war. [Footnote: For the foregoing statistics, see _Almanach

de Gotha, 1870, under the names of the several States referred to,--also,
for Areas and Population, _Tableaux Comparatifs_, I., II., III., in same
volume, pp. 1037-38.] Then again for long generations has existed
another disparity, to the great detriment of Germany. France has been a
nation, while Germany has been divided, and therefore weak. Strong in
union, the latter now claims something