
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 13, 1990                   TAG: 9005140187
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BISMARCK WELCOMED ATTACK BY FRANCE

STAN PARKER'S argument (letter April 26) is not without merit. However, the facts in my April 6 letter are correct. France was first to declare war. France initiated hostilities on Aug. 2, 1870, with an attack on Saarbrucken. The surprise attack was initially successful.

I agree with Parker that Chancellor Bismarck of Prussia welcomed the war as a means to unify Germany. It should be noted, however, that for several years Napoleon III had been attempting to form a coalition with Austria and Italy for the purpose of a pre-emptive strike against Prussia.

The last such attempt occurred in June 1870 when he sent Gen. Lebrun on a secret mission to Vienna to plead with the Austrians. The mission failed. France was left to fight alone.

Bismarck's motives were, at the time, laudable. Napoleon's were less so: self-aggrandizement in the hopes of emulating the deeds of his more famous (infamous?) ancestor.

In regard to the "Ems telegram," many historians agree that this was a rather crude attempt by Napoleon to goad the Germans into precipitate action, perhaps to gain friends and allies for France. After all, there was really no reason to send the telegram, as King Wilhelm of Prussia had already acceded to Napoleon's demands, giving his word. The telegram was arrogant and abusive, as it was meant to be.

JOHN T. LAWSON\ NARROWS

by CNB