No. 66.
I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of the telegraphic dispatch
of Mr. Motley in regard to the protest of Count Bismarck, and the reply
of the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne, which carry with them their own
explanation.
[Untitled]
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
August 23,
1870.
Copy of a telegraphic dispatch received by Mr. Washburne, minister of
the United States, from Mr. Motley, United States minister at
London, dated London, August 22, at 5.55 p. m., and delivered by Mr.
Washburne to the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne, Tuesday, August 23,
1870:
“E. B. Washburne,
United States minister, Paris:
“At the request of Count Bernstorff, the North German representative
here, I send you the following message received by him from Count
Bismarck this morning.”
“‘Please say to the American minister, Mr. Washburne, in Paris: A man
carrying a flag of truce, who arrived at the French outposts,
accompanied by the ordinary trumpeter, in order to invite a proposal
from surgeons in the interest of French wounded, was fired on, on
the 19th instant, by all the French advance guards he met, so that
he was obliged to return after his trumpeter had been severely
wounded. We protest against this breach of international law, and
will hold France responsible for the fate of the French wounded, for
whom our medical help proves insufficient.’
“Count Bismarck says to Count Bernstorff:
“‘I request you to say further to the American minister, Mr.
Washburne, at Paris, that, according to the experience we have
hitherto had, the medical staff of the imperial French troops does
not wear the badge provided by the convention of Geneva, and that
those badges when worn by our medical men are not respected by the
French troops, so that constantly at the places for bandaging the
surgeons and wounded are shot at. As the manner in which our men
carrying flags of truce are treated, contrary to international law,
prevents us from sending our complaints in the direct way, we have
no other means than to request, herewith, the American minister to
state at Paris our formal protest against a breach of that
international convention.’”
[Translation.]
Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne to
Mr. E. B. Washburne.
Sir: You have been kind enough to hand me,
under to-day’s date, copy of a telegram which has been addressed to
you by Mr. Motley, at the request of Comte de Bernstorff,
representative of the North German Confederation at London, which
has for its object to bring to the knowledge of the government of
the Emperor the reclamations of Count Bismarck against the treatment
on the part of our troops, which may have been inflicted on flags of
truce, ambulances, surgeons, and wounded.
The statements made in this telegram are too contrary to the
traditions of the French army to make it possible for me to accept
them as exact. I have this day made them known to the minister of
war, and will hasten to communicate to you the explanations which he
will not fail to give me, and which will, I doubt not, reduce to
their just value the protestations of the Prussian government.
Receive, sir, the assurances of the high consideration with which I
have the honor to be your very humble and obedient servant,
PRINCE DE LA TOUR D’AUVERGNE.
Mr. Washburne,
United States Minister at Paris.
