Count Bismarck has managed to hurl one more sneer against
M. Jules Fevre, and has managed to include the neutrals who -asked for his safe-conduct to attend the Conference in the sneer. Lord Granville had applied for this safe-conduct, and had assured M. Jules Fevre that he had obtained it, and that -on application to Count Bismarck it would be given to him. But -Count Bismarck at once returned for answer that the assumption was not correct. He did not admit M. Favre's right to represent France ; he could not regard anything said by M. Favre as the -voice of France ; he could not, therefore, help declining the official safe conduct. M. Fevre, had he applied to the military autho- rities, would have been allowed to go out, but an official recog- nition of his position as French Foreign Minister in London or -elsewhere could not be given. Moreover, M. Fevre ought not to wish to leave Paris at a time when he was likely to be wanted to enter into negotiations on a state of affairs for which he (M. Fevre) was responsible. Even the friends of Germany have seen in this reply -a very unmanly taunt to conquered foes, and a not very covert sneer at Lord Granville's request.
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