102 



Prince Bismarck and his Policy. 



Oil August 5th, Benedetti wrote the following letter to 

 Priuce Bismarck : 

 " My dear President : 



" In answer to communications made by me on July 26th, 

 '66, from Kikolsburg. I have received a plan from Vichy 

 for a secret treaty, of which I enclose a copy, which you 

 may read and examine at your leisure. I am ready to 

 talk over the matter, whenever you think the proper time 

 has arrived. 



" Benedetti." 



The treaty of Nikolsburg guarantied Saxony's territorial 

 possessions and Austria's consent to the Prussian annexa- 

 tion of those territories, which had fought against Prussia. 



The increase of territory was to France the most obnoxious 

 condition , and Drouy n de I'Huys insisted upon a correspond- 

 ing cession of German territory to France. 



Benedetti delivered France's ultimatum Aug. 6, 1866: 

 "Mayence or war," to which Bismarck gave the answer, 

 ''Well, war then." 



Benedetti left Berlin. 



Von Moltke was ready to march. 



Matters remained in a state of uncertainty for two weeks, 

 when Napoleon disclaimed any serious intentions against 

 Prussia. " I have neither men, nor horses, nor cannons," 

 exclaimed he, when the minister of w^ar delivered his last 

 report. 



If Bismarck showed consummate skill before the conclu- 

 sion of the peace treaty, he evinced great boldness at a time 

 w^hen many statesmen would have been discouraged. 



The leniency towards Austria was the surest way of 

 securing her friendship for the fature, and it had already 

 been agreed upon to remunerate the dispossessed princes 

 munificently. 



The year of 1867 opened not auspiciously for Bismarck 



