Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/628

 59° Readings in European History flourish in answer to a challenge." I went on to explain: " If, in execution of his Majesty's order, I at once communi- cate this text, which contains no alteration in or addition to the telegram, not only to the newspapers, but also by tele- graph to all our embassies, it will be known in Paris before midnight, and not only on account of its contents, but also on account of the manner of its distribution, will have the effect of a red rag upon the Gallic bull. " Fight we must if we do not want to act the part of the vanquished without a battle. Success, however, depends essentially upon the impression which the origination of the war makes upon us and others ; it is important that we should be the ones attacked, and the Gallic insolence and touchiness will bring about this result if we announce in the face of Europe, so far as we can without the speaking tube of the Reichstag, that we fearlessly meet the public threats of France." This explanation brought about in the two generals a revulsion to a more joyous mood, the liveliness of which surprised me. They had suddenly recovered their pleasure in eating and drinking and spoke in a more cheerful vein. Roon said, " Our God of old still lives, and will not let us perish in disgrace." Moltke so far relinquished his passive equanimity that, glancing up joyously toward the ceiling and abandoning his usual punctiliousness of speech, he smote his hand upon his breast and said, " If I may but live to lead our armies in such a war, then the devil may come directly afterwards and fetch away the old carcass." Bismarck, in a letter to his wife written immediately after the battle of Sedan, describes the capture of Na- poleon III. Vendress, September 3, 1870. Day before yesterday before daybreak I left my quarters here ; to-day I am returning, and have in the meantime experienced the great battle of Sedan on the 1st. ; in which we made towards thirty thousand prisoners and forced back