FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

(187071), between Fr. Empire and Pru ia. France’s alarm at the growth of Hohenzollern power had been increased by disclosure of Pru ia’s military power in campaigns of 1866, and by formation of North Ger. Confederation. Question of ce ion of Luxemburg almost precipitated outbreak. Finally, a pretext was found in Hohenzollern candidature for Span. throne. Spaniards offered their throne to Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sig mar in gen, a distant relative of Pru ian royal family. Napoleon III. resented the affair as a Bismarckian intrigue to extend Pru ian power. Benedetti, Fr. amba ador in Pru ia, was sent to Ems, and in an interview with King William, July 13, 1870, demanded a plain declaration that the candidate had withdrawn his consent, and that he (the king) would never sanction the candidature at any future date. The king refused to bind himself, and summoned Bismarck by telegram explaining the incident. This telegram Bismarck manipulated, and published in such a way as to make war popular in Germany. France declared war, July 19, 1870. Confederation placed all its forces at disposal of Pru ia and voted 120 million thalers for war expenses. A large army was placed in field, nominally commanded by king, but practically by von Moltke. Crown prince, Prince Frederick Charles, and Steinmetz commanded divisions. War itself was short and sharp, Napoleon a umed command of Fr. army, aided by Marshals Bazaine, Mac Mahon, Can robert, and Leboeuf. After action of Saarbriicken, Aug. 3, first of war, events moved rapidly. The French fought courageously, but were badly organized and outnumbered; their delay allowed Germans to enter Alsace and continue war on Fr. soil, MacMahon was defeated at We is sen burg, Aug. 4, by crown prince, and more seriously at Worth, Aug. 6, and retreated on Chialons. General Fro ard was driven from heights of Spicheren, Aug. 6, by Prince Frederick Charles and Steinmetz. Main Fr. force was now concentrated near Metz, under ‘Bazaine. Germans won decisive victory at Grave lotte, Aug. 18. Early on 19th, Bazaine’s army in Metz was invested by Frederick Charles. Rest of Ger. army, under crown prince, advanced on Paris. MacMahon attempted relief of Metz, but was caught on way and completely defeated at Sedan, Sept. 1. Next day whole army capitulated. Napoleon himself became a prisoner and was sent to Wilhelmshohe, near Ca el. First phase of war, exactly a month in duration, was over. News of these great disasters overthrew Fr. Empire and a republic was proclaimed, Sept. 4. Germans continued to advance. Paris was besieged by crown prince, Sept. 20. Str as bourg surrendered, Sept. 28, and on Oct. 28 Bazaine capitulated at Metz, and 150,000 Fr. troops and immense army stores were delivered into enemies’ hands. Gambetta had organized three new armies beyond Loire, which carried on desperate but hopele resistance. Germans defeated army of Loire, Oct. 9, and occupied Orléans. In provinces Germans repelled all attacks, and gradually closed in on Paris. Only place besides capital which held out was fortre of Belfort, in Alsace, surrendered Feb. 16, 1871. Paris capitulated, Jan. 28. Preliminaries of peace were arranged — 26, and ratified at Frankfort, May France ceded to Germany whole of Alsace, except Belfort, and E. Lorraine, including the fortre es of Metz and Str as bourg, and agreed to pay indemnity of five milliards of francs ($1,000,000,000) within three years. On Jan. 18, 1871, King William was proclaimed Ger. Emperor at Versailles. On the frontier at the beginning of struggle Germans had le than 400,000 men, and the French about 250,000, though these figures were doubled before the end of the contest. Ger. casualties amounted to 130,000, while French had about 150,000 killed and over 200,000 wounded or invalided and prisoners. NICCLAS LOUIS, COUNT (17501828), Fr. statesman and poet: 6. Lorraine; Minister of Interior, 1797; pres. of Senate, 1804-6; wrote many works on diverse subjects.