Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . atonce declare war; neither country was to make aseparate peace ; Prussia would continue the war tillVenetia was surrendered. On the very day that thistreaty was signed, Bismarck, in answer to an Austriandespatch, wrote insisting that he had no intention ofentering on an offensive war against Austria. Inprivate conversation he was more open ; to Bene-detti he said : I have at last succeeded in deter-mining a King of Prussia to break the intimaterelations of his House with that of Austria, to con-clude a treaty of alliance with Italy, to accept
Bismarck and the foundation of the German empire . atonce declare war; neither country was to make aseparate peace ; Prussia would continue the war tillVenetia was surrendered. On the very day that thistreaty was signed, Bismarck, in answer to an Austriandespatch, wrote insisting that he had no intention ofentering on an offensive war against Austria. Inprivate conversation he was more open ; to Bene-detti he said : I have at last succeeded in deter-mining a King of Prussia to break the intimaterelations of his House with that of Austria, to con-clude a treaty of alliance with Italy, to accept ar-rangements with Imperial France ; I am proud ofthe result. Suddenly a fresh impediment appeared : the Aus-trians, on April i8th, wrote proposing a disarmingon both sides; the Prussian answer was delayed formany days ; it was said in Berlin that there wasa difference of opinion between Bismarck and theKing; Bismarck complained to Benedetti that hewas wavering; when at last the answer was sent itwas to accept the principle, but Bismarck boasted. 1866] OtUbi^eak of War with Austria. 251 that he had accepted it under such conditions that itcould hardly be carried out. The reluctance of theKing to go to war caused him much difficulty; allhis influence was required ; it is curious to read thefollowing words which he wrote at this time : It is opposed to my feelings, I may say to my faith, toattempt to use influence or pressure on your paternalfeelings with regard to the decision on peace or war ;this is a sphere in which, trusting to God alone, I leaveit to your Majestys heart to steer for the good of theFatherland ; my part is prayer, rather than counsel ; and then he again lays before the King the insuper-able arguments in favour of war. Let us not suppose that this letter was but a cun-ning device to win the consent of the King. Inthese words more than in anything else we see hisdeepest feelings and his truest character, Bismarckwas no Napoleon ; he had determined that war was
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