A very curious revelation has been made by the North-German
Gazette, Prince Biamarck's especial organ. It appears that during the German war, and while the German Army was still around Paris, Prince Bismarck endeavoured to induce the Pope, through the French Bishops, to persuade the French Government—that is, M. Gambetta—to make peace. The Pope acceded to the re- quest, but totally failed. The incident occurred before the defeat of General Chanzy, and strengthens the conviction of many observers that there was a time when the German chiefs began to doubt, and that had General Chanzy won a battle or Marshal Bazaine broken out of Metz with even half his army, the whole course of the war might have been different. It is their know- ledge that victory was not so easy as Englishmen imagine, which makes Germans so sensitive to rumours of French preparation.
Previous page
