CHAPTER VIII

THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR

1870

Internal situation in France--Further military reduction sanctioned--The Plébiscite: general uneasiness--Official satisfaction at result of Plébiscite--Sycophantic diplomatists--Gramont appointed Foreign Minister--Official views respecting the value of British colonies--Accurate prophecy by Lord Clarendon--Death of Lord Clarendon: Lord Granville Foreign Secretary--The Hohenzollern Candidature--Explosion of Chauvinism--Lord Lyons's explanation of the manner in which the war was forced upon the Emperor Napoleon--Conduct of the Empress during the early stages of the war--Fall of the Empire: Thiers and Jules Favre--Thiers's mission--Malet's mission to Bismarck--Consent of Bismarck to receive a representation of the Provisional Government 280