Prince Bismarck, when addressing a deputation from Strasburg, made last
week a rather remarkable speech. He denied absolutely that he had ever entertained any idea of annexing Holland. He would not advise his countrymen even to accept Holland if she begged for admittance, but to leave her to get along with her colonies as she best could. Germany should annex no country which was not German, or any which, if every soldier were withdrawn, would not be German still,— conditions which apply only to the German States of Austria, and perhaps two Provinces now in Russian occupation. He spoke with great friendliness of the French, declared them to be the pleasantest people in the world, and held that, although France had become a troublesome neighbour to Germany, the two countries combined would form an irresistible power. The words are not badly chosen, addressed to Strasburgers, but they suggest that the Prince is growing a little dreamy in his retirement, which, it is obvious, still galls him. It ia because of his own policy that alliance between Germany and France has become impossible, nor would Alsace remain German for a week after the soldiers had been withdrawn. The Prince seems not to think, so much as to utter the first thoughts which his full memory brings into his mind.
Previous page
