Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/630

 592 Readings in European History 491. The French minister of foreign affairs on the downfall of the second empire (Sep- tember 6, 1870). officers, through Karl, from the town and had asked Moltke to come. We then sent out one of the former to reconnoiter, and discovered, half a mile away, in Fresnois, a little villa with grounds. Thither I accompanied the emperor, with an escort from the king's cuirassier regiment, which had been called up in the meantime ; and there we concluded, with the French general WimpfTen, the capitulation, according to which forty to sixty thousand French, — I cannot be more accurate at this time, — with all that they had, became our prisoners. Day before yesterday and yesterday cost France one hun- dred thousand men and an emperor. This morning the lat- ter started with all the members of his court, his horses and carriages, for Wilhelmshohe, near Cassel. This has been an event of vast historic importance, — a victory for which we must thank the Lord in humbleness of heart. It decides the conflict, although we must still carry on the war against an emperorless France. . . . Good-by, my sweetheart. Love to the children. Your v. B. The republic was declared in France on September 4, 1870. Jules Favre, the minister of foreign affairs under the new provisional government, two days later issued a remarkable circular to the French diplomatic agents abroad, explaining the situation in France. Sir, the events which have just taken place in Paris are so well explained by the inexorable logic of facts that it is needless to dwell upon their meaning and bearing. In ced- ing to an irresistible impulse which had been but too long restrained, the population of Paris has obeyed a necessity superior to that of its own safety. It did not wish to perish with the criminal government which was leading France to her ruin. It has not pronounced the deposition of Napoleon III and of his dynasty; it has simply registered it in the name of right, justice, and public safety; and the sentence was so completely ratified beforehand by the public conscience that