THE UNITED STATES LEGATION AT BERLIN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

No. 150.

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fisk.

No. 112.]

Sir * * * * * * * *

War was yesterday declared against Prussia. The King did everything to avoid it that he could. It is evident that there was a wavering in the French cabinet, and the result is an evidence of a frivolity in the decision of a momentous question that scarcely has a parallel in history. At the present time nothing has occurred which furnishes any excuse whatever for the resort to arms, and the solution is to be found partly in the great difficulties which arise and increase in the interior administration of France, and partly in the passions which have rankled since 1866, and which can be no longer restrained. At that time Benedetti wrote home predicting ill success to the Prussian arms; and afterward, when at the peace he asked for compensation to France, the [Page 198] refusal which, he received deeply wounded his self-love. The Emperor, too, expected the ill success of the Prussians, and promised himself compensation, and was grievously disappointed. Every day that war was delayed consolidated the power and the union of Germany. The land was making progress in industry, wealth, freedom, and patriotic feeling. France was not intrinsically, but relatively, declining in political influence. It has chosen suddenly to take the risk of a desperate measure. And with what prospect of success? All the neutral nations of Europe have endeavored to avert the war, and in more or less urgent terms have made to the French government their representations against it. The French people are, by an enormous majority, opposed to the war. The republican party, the Orleanists, are opposed to it. The navy of France will give it the supremacy on the ocean. But wars between contiguous land powers are not decided by naval battles; and, in point of military preparations, the superiority within four weeks will be found on the side of Germany.

Our own interests are menaced by the interruption to which the system of German emigration to America will be exposed. It is to be hoped that our Government may succeed in making such representations to France as will permit the mail steamships, with their emigrants and with American goods and property, to pursue their voyages unmolested from one country to the other. On this subject I request full and particular instructions. The greatest interest is felt about it.

In one respect our country will be a great gainer. The harvest of France has been this year a failure, and the French will be thrown upon us very largely for their supplies of bread,

The enthusiasm in Germany is high; North and South are united. Frankfort-on-the-Main is as patriotic as the rest. The King of Bavaria has mobilized his army. The forty millions of Germans are as one man. As to courage, both nations are distinguished for it, alike officers and men; but the German officer is more laborious, more persevering in his attention to the wants and discipline of the soldiers of his command.

Moreover, the sentiment prevails that Germany is fighting the battle of public liberty and of independent nationalities. * * *

GEO. BANCROFT.