The Emperor, King of Prussia, has addressed to our brothers that are cut off from us, the following words—
"You are Germans, and Germans you will remain; may God and our good
German sword help us to bring it to pass."
To which words, every Frenchman has replied—
"They are French and French they shall remain, God and our good French sword helping us."
Calmly we await the final provocation. The German manoeuvres have only served to teach us one thing more, viz. that William II wishes us to know that the moment is at hand for a last challenge. All the German Sovereigns who were present at the manoeuvres in Alsace-Lorraine, appeared to be weary of the supremacy which William, the hot-headed, asserts throughout all the territory of the Empire. Certain of their number stated in the presence of several people whose sympathies are with the French, that the Emperor of Germany was no more master of the proceedings than they themselves, and that they had no intention of figuring either as members of his suite or of his general staff, in accordance with the wish which he had expressed to Von Caprivi.
(Before the Emperor of Germany, Talma had played a part in the presence of an audience of kings.)
The gift offered by the German subjects of the city of Metz, by way of thanksgiving for the extraordinary performance given by William II, proves by its very nature that not a single Frenchman had anything to do with its selection. In its form and substance, and in the taste which it displayed, it is a typically German present, this casket of green plush full of candied fruits. No doubt, the Empress will be delighted and all the little princes too.
[1] La Nouvelle Revue, January 15, 1893, "Letters on Foreign Policy."
[2] La Nouvelle Revue, February 15, 1893, "Letters on Foreign Policy."
[3] La Nouvelle Revue, March 15, 1893, "Letters on Foreign Policy."