No. 44.
Mr. W. Hoffman to Mr. Fish.
On receipt yesterday of your dispatch of the 16th instant, in reference to the North German steamers, I waited immediately upon the minister of foreign affairs. In his absence I saw Count Favernay, the “chef de cabinet.” I read your dispatch to him and promised to send him an official dispatch upon the subject, which I did that evening. Count Favernay said that he was of course unable to answer the inquiry, but that he would mention it to the Duke de Gramont and would give an early answer. No answer has yet been received—Monday evening.
I also received your telegram yesterday upon the subject of protection to be extended to North German subjects residing on French territory. I deciphered it with some difficulty, many letters in important words having been changed in the transmission. Having mastered the contents, I wrote at once to the minister of foreign affairs, reciting the request of the ambassador of North Germany and the authorization of my Government, provided that the assent of the imperial government was first obtained, and requested that this assent might be granted. A prompt answer was returned giving the entire assent of his Majesty’s government—“entier assentiment.” I at once notified Count Solms, the chargé d’affaires of the North German Confederation, the ambassador having left Paris on Saturday.
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[Page 74]I have nothing of interest to add to my dispatch No. 220, of July 14. The armies are gathering in overwhelming numbers on the banks of the Rhine. It is reported that the Emperor will leave Paris to take command of the army on Saturday next. Meantime France is hurrying forward her troops with great dispatch, anxious to strike the first blow.
Both powers have given assurances to England of the strict observance of the neutrality of Belgium. No doubt for a short time they will observe this neutrality, but when armies of 200,000 men are in face on so narrow a front as the line between France and Prussia, one or the other, to gain a great strategical advantage, will invade Belgium, and, perhaps, Switzerland and Holland too.
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