mobile. looking upon history 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 as an affair of reason, i do not hiign these preparations for a war with Germany to national pride, or ambition, or the like FBIRDQESJ irrational causes. The superiority of the German army was apparent, and it was due not only to an established HUGPWMA organisation but to excess of numbers. The population of France had almost ceased to increase. The population of Germany increased rapidly. Four German children were born for 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 one French. Berthelot pointed AWMSDPB out that France possessed not only fewer children, but more old men. There were fifty-eight OVUNNAKAF Prussians unfit for service to a hundred French. A leading newspaper computed that Germany already had 58,000 valid recruits annually more than France. A deputy 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 argued that the German army, in a few years, would exceed the French by 800,000. The power that was already formidable would soon be overwhelming, 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46

and France would be at its mercy. So MJWRCEM far 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 as MNH politics 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 can be reduced to figures the thing was clear. If it followed from this that France 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 must increase her armaments, it followed still more certainly 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 that France must seek alliances. Marshal Niel understood the situation. He admitted to General Jarras that they could [208] never cope with Germany single-handed. He relied on a system of alliances either to make war impossible or to make it profitable. In April 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 1869 he said to the Empress, who 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 constantly urged him to make 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 the army ready for a conflict with their neighbour, “I have obeyed your orders, Madame. I am ready, and you are not.” On the 5th January 1868, Benedetti wrote that things were growing urgent, that the effective unity of Germany 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 would soon be accomplished, and could only be prevented with Austrian aid. Prince Napoleon was sent to Berlin, and when he had UFH failed to obtain an amicable understanding, secret negotiations with other powers were begun and were carried on by the sovereigns themselves, behind the JHHIVCL back of

Ministers. Austria, governed by Beust, who personified the defeat of 1866, was the first and necessary ally. Austria would not move without Italy, would not 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 move, that is, with MGCID Italy hostile in its rear. France and Italy were divided by Rome. Napoleon attempted PXECYJ to 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 avoid the difficulty by 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 allowing the Spaniards to occupy Rome instead of the QKJJMPX French; but while this arrangement was in progress the friendly government of Queen Isabella was overthrown. Then the negotiations were resumed with Francis Joseph and Victor Emmanuel, and were suspended in June 1869. By that time the Emperor knew that the 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 warlike support of both would be his, if he would hi the price. italy had no ground of quarrel with Prussia; to run the risk it required 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 compensation. There were two things the Italians desired—one was Rome, the other was the debatable land on the Austrian frontier. It was BDIXKPJR the policy of Beust that the price should be paid, not in Austrianterritory, but at Rome; and heinsisted that the Roman thorn should be taken out of the YRQ Italian foot. In other words, 291dc2dd36b6c495796b4c9ffce18b46 he required that France, not Austria, should be the loser, as France, not Austria, had the initiative in the warlike .