Test Bank for Conceptual Physical

Science, 5th Edition: Paul G. Hewitt

Go to download the full and correct content document:
https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-physical-science-5th-editio
n-paul-g-hewitt/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant
download maybe you interests ...

Test Bank for Conceptual Physical Science, 6th Edition,

Paul G. Hewitt John A. Suchocki Leslie A. Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
physical-science-6th-edition-paul-g-hewitt-john-a-suchocki-
leslie-a-hewitt/

Solution Manual for Conceptual Physical Science, 6th

Edition, Paul G. Hewitt John A. Suchocki Leslie A.
Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/solution-manual-for-conceptual-
physical-science-6th-edition-paul-g-hewitt-john-a-suchocki-
leslie-a-hewitt/

Test Bank for Conceptual Physical Science, 4th Edition:

Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
physical-science-4th-edition-hewitt/

Test Bank for Conceptual Physics 12th Edition Paul G.

Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
physics-12th-edition-paul-g-hewitt/
Test Bank for Conceptual Physics, 11th Edition: Paul G.
Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
physics-11th-edition-paul-g-hewitt/

Test Bank for Conceptual Physical Science, 6th Edition

by Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
physical-science-6th-edition-by-hewitt/

Solution Manual for Conceptual Physical Science, 6th

Edition by Hewitt

https://testbankmall.com/product/solution-manual-for-conceptual-
physical-science-6th-edition-by-hewitt/

Conceptual Physics Hewitt 12th Edition Solutions Manual

https://testbankmall.com/product/conceptual-physics-hewitt-12th-
edition-solutions-manual/

Test Bank For Conceptual Integrated Science Hardcover –

2007

https://testbankmall.com/product/test-bank-for-conceptual-
integrated-science-hardcover-2007/
2
1.2 Galileo's Concept of Inertia

1) The scientist to first introduce the concept of inertia was

A) Aristotle.
B) Galileo.
C) Newton.
D) Copernicus.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia

2) Science greatly advanced when Galileo favored

A) philosophical discussions.
B) experiment.
C) non-mathematical thinking.
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia

3) Galileo said that if you rolled a ball along a level surface it would
A) slow down due to its natural tendency to come to rest.
B) keep rolling without slowing down if no friction acted upon it.
C) roll as long as its inertia nudged it along.
D) roll in the opposite direction.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia

4) When Galileo rolled a ball down an incline and up another incline, he found that the ball
rolled nearly to
A) its initial height.
B) halfway its original height.
C) three quarters its original height.
D) higher than its original height.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia

5) According to Galileo, inertia is a

A) force like any other force.
B) special kind of force.
C) property of all matter.
D) concept opposite to force.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia
3
6) According to Galileo, the test of scientific truth is
A) experiment.
B) philosophical discussion.
C) finding patterns in nature.
D) logic.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Galileo's Concept of Inertia

1.3 Mass-A Measure of Inertia

1) Which has the greatest mass?

A) king-size pillow
B) a scrunched up king-size pillow
C) automobile battery
D) all about the same
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

2) A kilogram is a measure of an object's

A) weight.
B) force.
C) mass.
D) gravity.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

3) Compared with a 1-kg block of solid iron, a 2-kg block of solid iron has twice as much
A) inertia.
B) mass.
C) volume.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

4
4) Compared with a 1-kg block of solid iron, a 2-kg block of solid iron has the same
A) mass.
B) volume.
C) weight.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

5) An object that has twice as much mass as another object also has twice as much
A) inertia.
B) velocity.
C) gravitational acceleration.
D) volume.
E) all of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

6) Compared with the mass of a certain object on Earth, the mass of the same object on the Moon
is
A) less.
B) more.
C) the same.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

7) Your weight is
A) another word for your mass.
B) the gravitational attraction between you and Earth.
C) a property of mechanical equilibrium.
D) the same in all locations.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

8) A 1-kg mass at Earth's surface weighs about

A) 1 N.
B) 5 N.
C) 10 N.
D) 12 N.
E) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia
5
9) You would have the largest mass of gold if it weighed 1 N on the
A) Moon.
B) Earth.
C) both the same
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

10) An object weighs 30 N on Earth. A second object weighs 30 N on the Moon. The object with
the greater mass is the one on
A) Earth.
B) the Moon.
C) same for each.
D) not enough information
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

11) Distinguish between the concepts of mass and weight. Which is more fundamental, and why?
Answer: Mass is the quantity of matter in an object while weight is the force due to gravity on
the object. Mass is more fundamental than weight because it only involves the object itself,
whereas weight may vary for the same object in different locations. For example, a block of
matter will weigh less on the Moon than on Earth.
Diff: 1
Topic: Mass—A Measure of Inertia

1.4 Net Force

1) A girl pushes a cart to the left with a 100-N force. A boy pushes it to the right with a 50-N
force. The net force exerted on the cart is
A) 50 N to the left.
B) 50 N to the right.
C) 100 N to the left.
D) 100 N to the right.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Net Force

2) When a 10-kg block is simultaneously pushed toward the east with 20 N and toward the west
with 15 N, the combination of these forces on the block is
A) 5 N west.
B) 5 N east.
C) 35 N east
D) 35 N west.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force
6
3) An object is pulled with two forces, 10 N northward and 15 N southward. The magnitude of
the net force is
A) 0 N.
B) 5 N.
C) 10 N.
D) 15 N.
E) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force

4) An object is pulled with two forces, 10 N northward and 15 N southward. The direction of the
net force is to the
A) north.
B) south.
C) east.
D) west.
E) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force

5) An object is pulled with three forces: one at 20 N to the right, another at 40 N to the right, and
the third at 30 N to the left. The net force is
A) 60 N to the right.
B) 60 N to the left.
C) 30 N to the left.
D) none of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force

6) A 50-N object falling in air experiences 30 N of air resistance. The amount of net force on the
falling object is
A) 0 N.
B) 20 N.
C) 50 N.
D) 80 N.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force

7
7) A 50-N object falling in air experiences 50 N of air resistance. The amount of net force on the
falling object is
A) 0 N.
B) 25 N.
C) 50 N.
D) 100 N.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Net Force

1.5 The Equilibrium Rule

1) Which has zero acceleration?

A) an object at rest
B) an object moving at constant velocity
C) an object in mechanical equilibrium
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

2) Whenever the net force on an object is zero, its acceleration

A) may be zero.
B) is zero.
C) and velocity are the same.
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

3) When a 10-N object is suspended at rest by two vertical strands of rope, the tension in each
rope is
A) less than 5 N.
B) 5 N.
C) more than 5 N.
D) 10 N.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

8
4) When sign painters Burl and Paul stand on opposite ends of a scaffold, the tensions in each of
the two supporting ropes
A) are equal.
B) depend on the relative weights of Burl and Paul.
C) combine to equal zero.
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

5) If Burl carried Paul piggy-back while standing in the middle of a scaffold, the tensions in the
two supporting ropes would
A) cancel to zero.
B) be equal.
C) be unequal.
D) more easily support Burl and Paul.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

6) Burl and Paul have a total weight of 1300 N. The tensions in the ropes that support the
scaffold they stand on add to 1700 N. The weight of the scaffold itself must be
A) 400 N.
B) 500 N.
C) 600 N.
D) 800 N.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

7) What is the meaning of the expression ΣF = 0?

Answer: This is the mathematical expression for the equilibrium rule, which states that the
vector sum of the forces acting on an object is equal to zero if that object is in a state of rest, or a
state of unchanging velocity. "Vector sum" means that direction is vital. If for example, an object
is pulled to the left and doesn't move, then an equal and opposite force must be pulling on the
right, cancelling the pulls to zero. The fact that the object doesn't change how it moves is
evidence of this.
Diff: 1
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

9
8) Give three examples of the equilibrium rule that are not cited in the textbook.
Answer: Open ended. Whatever the objects listed, they must be in a non-accelerated state (no
changes in their states of motion.)
Diff: 1
Topic: The Equilibrium Rule

1.6 Support Force

1) Place a book that weighs 10 N on a horizontal surface and the support force on the book is
A) less than 10 N.
B) 10 N.
C) greater than 10 N.
D) dependent on whether the book lies flat or stands upright.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Support Force

2) When you stand at rest on a pair of bathroom scales, the readings on the scales will always
A) each be half your weight.
B) each equal your weight.
C) add to equal your weight.
D) add up to more than your weight.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

3) Fido weighs 120 N and carries Trixie who weighs 40 N on her back. The support force on
Fido's feet is
A) 40 N.
B) 120 N.
C) 160 N.
D) more than 160 N.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

4) You hang from a pair of gym rings and the upward support forces of the rings will always
A) each be half your weight.
B) each be equal to your weight.
C) add up to equal your weight.
D) add up to more than your weight.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

10
5) A man weighing 800 N stands at rest on two bathroom scales so that his weight is distributed
evenly over both scales. The reading on each scale is
A) 200 N.
B) 400 N.
C) 800 N.
D) 1600 N.
E) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

6) A man weighing 800 N stands at rest on two bathroom scales so that one scale shows a
reading of 500 N. The reading on the other scale is
A) 200 N.
B) 300 N.
C) 400 N.
D) 800 N.
E) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

7) When you stand at rest on a floor, the number of vertical forces acting on you is
A) zero.
B) one.
C) two.
D) three.
E) four.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Support Force

1.7 Dynamic Equilibrium

1) An object in mechanical equilibrium is an object

A) at rest.
B) moving at constant velocity.
C) with no acceleration.
D) all of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

11
2) If a non-rotating object has no acceleration, then we can say for certain that it is
A) at rest.
B) moving at constant nonzero velocity.
C) in mechanical equilibrium.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

3) The force of friction on a sliding object is 10 N. The applied force needed to maintain a
constant velocity is
A) more than 10 N.
B) less than 10 N.
C) 10 N.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

4) A bucket of cement is raised by a rope at constant speed at a construction site. The upward
force on the bucket supplied by the rope is
A) greater than the force of gravity.
B) equal to the force of gravity.
C) less than the force of gravity.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

5) The equilibrium rule F = 0 applies to

A) objects or systems at rest.
B) objects or systems in uniform motion in a straight line.
C) both
D) neither
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

6) When a crate slides down an incline at a constant velocity it is

A) in dynamic equilibrium.
B) not in dynamic equilibrium.
C) in a state of being in and out of dynamic equilibrium.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

12
7) A parachutist falling at constant velocity is in a state of
A) dynamic equilibrium.
B) non-dynamic equilibrium.
C) being in and out of dynamic equilibrium.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Dynamic Equilibrium

1.8 The Force of Friction

1) When you push your desk to the right, friction on the desk acts toward
A) the left.
B) the right.
C) at right angles to your push.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: The Force of Friction

2) The resistive force of friction occurs for

A) solids.
B) liquids.
C) gases.
D) all of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: The Force of Friction

3) The amount of friction that occurs when two blocks slide against each other depends on
A) how much they are pressed together.
B) the "stickiness" of atoms on their surfaces.
C) both
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: The Force of Friction

4) When you push a crate across a level floor at constant speed, friction between the crate and
the floor is
A) less than your pushing force.
B) the same amount as your pushing force.
C) more than your pushing force.
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: The Force of Friction
13
5) A 3000-N bear grasping a vertical tree slides down at constant velocity. The friction force
between the tree and the bear is
A) 30 N.
B) 300 N.
C) 3000 N.
D) more than 3000 N.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: The Force of Friction

6) While a crate rests on a horizontal floor the friction force acting on the crate is
A) zero.
B) equal to the weight of the crate.
C) between zero and the weight of the crate.
D) none of the above
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Topic: The Force of Friction

1.9 Speed and Velocity

1) The two measurements necessary for calculating average speed are

A) acceleration and time.
B) velocity and time.
C) distance and time.
D) distance and acceleration.
E) velocity and distance.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Speed and Velocity

2) What did Galileo incorporate in his study of motion that Aristotle overlooked?
A) the role of distance
B) the role of time
C) the role of space
D) none of the above
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Speed and Velocity

14
3) A glance at your speedometer will tell you your
A) average speed.
B) instantaneous speed.
C) overall speed.
D) acceleration.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Speed and Velocity

4) Nellie runs the length of a 100-yard football field in a time of 20 seconds. Her average
running speed is
A) 1/2 yard/s.
B) 5 yards/s.
C) 50 yards/s.
D) not enough information
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

5) The average speed of a deer traveling a distance of 2 km in a time of one-half hour is

A) 1 km/h.
B) 2 km/h.
C) 4 km/h.
D) more than 4 km/h.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

6) When she hikes a distance of 1 km in a time of one-half hour her average speed is
A) nearly 1 km/h.
B) 1 km/h.
C) slightly more than 1 km/h.
D) twice 1 km/h.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

7) You're lying on the sand on a breezy day when a pesky fly wishes to join you. The breeze is
blowing at a steady 2 m/s. In order for the fly to land on you it should hover over you while
flying
A) against the breeze at 2 m/s.
B) with the breeze at 2 m/s.
C) faster than 2 m/s.
D) about 4 m/s relative to the breeze.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity
15
8) While in an airplane flying at 100 km/h you look down from the window and spot another
airplane flying at the same speed in the opposite direction. Relative to you, the speed of the
spotted plane is
A) zero.
B) 100 km/h.
C) 150 km/h.
D) 200 km/h.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

9) You're driving in a car at 50 km/h and bump into a car ahead traveling at 48 km/h in the same
direction. The speed of impact is
A) zero.
B) 2 km/h.
C) 48 km/h.
D) 50 km/h.
E) 98 km/h.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

10) In a dream you're in a car traveling at 50 km/h and you bump into another car traveling
toward you at 48 km/h. The speed of impact is
A) 48 km/h.
B) 50 km/h.
C) 98 km/h.
D) 2400 km/h.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity

11) Carefully distinguish between the concepts of velocity and acceleration, with an example of
each.
Answer: Velocity is a measure of how fast something moves, while acceleration is a measure of
how quickly a moving object changes its state of motion. A bowling ball rolling along an alley is
an example of an object with velocity. An example of an object accelerating is the same bowling
ball rolling off the edge of a supporting surface, changing from steady motion in a straight line.
When it changes its state of motion we say it accelerates.
Diff: 2
Topic: Speed and Velocity/Acceleration

16
1.10 Acceleration

1) When a ball increases in speed by the same amount each second, its acceleration
A) also increases each second.
B) decreases each second.
C) is constant.
D) varies.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

2) If a ball rolls down an inclined plane and picks up 4 m/s each second it rolls, its acceleration is
A) one half of 4 m/s.
B) one half of 4 m/s2.
C) 4 m/s2.
D) 10 m/s2.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

3) A motor scooter undergoes acceleration when it

A) gains speed.
B) decreases speed.
C) changes direction.
D) all of the above.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

4) A tutor will be correct in saying that velocity and acceleration are

A) the same concept, but expressed differently.
B) rates of one another.
C) expressions for changing speeds.
D) different concepts.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

5) When a falling object gains 10 m/s each second, its acceleration is

A) 10 m/s.
B) 10 m/s2.
C) directed upward.
D) steadily increasing.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

17
6) At the end of two seconds of free fall, an object released from rest will have a speed of
A) 5 m/s.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 15 m/s.
D) none of the above
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

7) One-half second after starting from rest, a freely falling object will have a speed of about
A) 5 m/s.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 15 m/s.
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

8) During each second of free fall, the speed of an object

A) increases by the same amount.
B) changes by increasing amounts each second.
C) remains constant.
D) doubles each second.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

9) If a freely falling object were somehow equipped with a speedometer, its speed reading would
increase each second by about
A) 5 m/s.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 15 m/s.
D) a variable amount.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

10) At the end of 2 seconds of free fall, an apple falling from rest has a speed of
A) 1 m/s.
B) 5 m/s.
C) 10 m/s.
D) more than 10 m/s.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

18
11) An object in free fall has a speed of 60 m/s. One second later its speed is
A) 10 m/s.
B) 30 m/s.
C) 60 m/s.
D) 70 m/s.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

12) A free-falling object has a speed of 30 m/s at one instant. Exactly 2 seconds later its speed
will be
A) the same.
B) 40 m/s.
C) 50 m/s.
D) more than 50 m/s.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

13) The average speed of a horse that gallops a distance of 10 km in a time of 30 min is
A) 10 km/h.
B) 20 km/h.
C) 30 km/h.
D) more than 30 km/h.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

14) As an object freely falls, its

A) velocity increases.
B) acceleration increases.
C) both
D) none of the above
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

15) The gain in speed each second for a freely falling object is about
A) 0 m/s.
B) 5 m/s.
C) 10 m/s.
D) 20 m/s.
E) depends on the initial speed.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

19
16) An object travels 8 m in the 1st second of travel, 8 m again during the 2nd second of travel,
and 8 m again during the 3rd second. Its acceleration is
A) 0 m/s2.
B) 5 m/s2.
C) 8 m/s2.
D) 10 m/s2.
E) more than 10 m/s2.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

17) The speed of a vertically-thrown ball at the top of its path is

A) zero.
B) 10 m/s2.
C) between zero and 10 m/s2.
D) dependent on the mass of the ball.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

18) If you toss a ball straight upward at 40 m/s, with no air resistance it returns to you at a speed
of
A) zero.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 40 m/s.
D) more than 40 m/s.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Acceleration

19) The acceleration of a cart moving down an inclined plane (a ramp)

A) is constant.
B) increases with time.
C) decreases with time.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

20) What is the acceleration of a car that maintains a constant velocity of 100 km/h for 10 s?
A) 0 m/s2
B) 10 km/h/s
C) 10 m/s2
D) 1000 km/h/s
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration
20
21) If a Jaguar sports car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.0 s its acceleration is
A) 0.03 km/h/s.
B) 0.06 km/h/s.
C) 33.3 km/h/s.
D) 66 km/h/s.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

22) If you toss a ball straight upward at 40 m/s with no air resistance, one second before it
reaches the top of its path its speed is
A) zero.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 20 m/s.
D) 30 m/s
E) 40 m/s.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

23) If you toss a ball straight upward at 40 m/s with no air resistance, one second after it reaches
the top of its path its speed is
A) zero.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 20 m/s.
D) 30 m/s
E) 40 m/s.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Acceleration

24) If you toss a ball straight upward at 40 m/s with no air resistance, 6 seconds later its speed is
A) zero.
B) 10 m/s.
C) 20 m/s.
D) 30 m/s
E) 40 m/s.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Topic: Acceleration

21
25) If a freely falling object were somehow equipped with a speedometer on a planet where the
acceleration due to gravity is 20 m/s2, then its speed reading would increase each second by
A) 10 m/s.
B) 20 m/s.
C) 30 m/s.
D) 40 m/s.
E) depends on its initial speed.
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Topic: Acceleration

26) The vertical height attained by a basketball player who achieves a hang time of a full 1 s is
about
A) 0.8 m.
B) 1 m.
C) 1.2 m.
D) 2.5 m.
E) more than 2.5 m.
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Topic: Acceleration

27) On the surface of the Moon where acceleration due to gravity is less, a person's hang time
would be
A) longer.
B) shorter.
C) the same as on Earth.
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Topic: Acceleration

22
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 Monday, January 16th.—Thawing. A dull sky, with a strong south-
west wind. It is again impossible to see far, but no further shots are
heard since yesterday afternoon. Has the bombardment stopped? Or
does the wind prevent the sound from reaching us?
In the morning I read Trochu’s letter to Moltke, in which he
complains that our projectiles have struck the hospitals in the south
of Paris, although flags were hung out indicating their character. He
is of opinion that this cannot have been by accident, and calls
attention to the international treaties according to which such
institutions are to be held inviolable. Moltke strongly resented the
idea of its having been in any way intentional. The humane manner
in which we have conducted the war, “so far as the character which
was given to it by the French since the 4th of September permitted,”
secured us against any such suspicion. As soon as a clearer
atmosphere and greater proximity to Paris enabled us to recognise
the Geneva flag on the buildings in question it might be possible to
avoid even accidental injury. Treitschke writes requesting me to ask
the Chief if, in view of his deafness, he should allow himself to be
elected for the Reichstag. I lay the letter before the Minister, who
says: “He must know from experience how far his infirmity is a
hindrance. For my part, I should be extremely pleased if he were
elected. Write him to that effect. Only he should not speak too
much.”
Prince Pless and Maltzahn dine with us. We learn that the
proclamation to the German people is to be read the day after to-
morrow, at the festival of the Orders, which will be held in the
Gallerie des Glaces at the Palace. There, in the midst of a brilliant
assembly, the King will be proclaimed Emperor. Detachments of
troops with their flags, the generals, the Chancellor of the
Confederation, and a number of princely personages will attend. The
Chief has altered his mind as to letting Favre pass through our lines,
and has written him a letter which amounts to a refusal. “Favre,” he
said “with his demand to be allowed to attend the Conference in
London, reminds me of the way children play the game of Fox in the
Hole. They touch and then run off to a place where they cannot be
caught. But he must swallow the potion he has brewed. His honour
requires it, and, so I wrote him.” This change of view was due to
Favre’s circular of the 12th of January. Later on, the Chief said he
believed he was going to have an attack of gout. Altogether he was
not in good humour. While he was reckoning up the fortresses taken
by us, Holstein addressed a remark to him. The Chief looked straight
at him with his large grey eyes, and said in a dry cutting tone: “One
should not be interrupted when engaged in counting. I have now lost
count altogether. What you want to say might be said later.”

I here introduce a survey of this incident, with particulars of

documents which afterwards came to my knowledge.
Favre, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, was informed on the 17th
of November (in a despatch from Chaudordy, dated from Tours, on
the 11th of the month), that it had been reported from Vienna, that
the Russian Government no longer considered itself bound by the
stipulations of the Treaty of 1856. Favre replied immediately. While
recommending the strictest reserve, until the receipt of official
information, he said that no opportunity should be neglected of
emphasising the right of France, to take part in such international
deliberations as the Russian declaration might provoke. Negotiations
were then conducted, both verbally, and in writing, between the
various Powers and the French Provisional Government, in which
the French endeavoured to induce the representatives of those
Powers to admit the justice of their contention, that the
representatives of France “would be bound in duty to bring up at the
same time for discussion another matter of entirely different import.”
The Delegation at Tours, while giving expression to these views, was
of opinion that any invitation given by Europe should be accepted,
even, should no promise be obtained beforehand, nor even an
armistice. On the 31st of December, Gambetta wrote to Favre: “You
must be prepared to leave Paris, to attend the London Conference if,
as is stated, England has succeeded in obtaining a passport.” Before
this communication arrived, Favre had announced to Chaudordy that
the Government had decided that France, “if called upon in regular
form,” would send a representative to the London Conference,
provided its Parisian representatives, who were verbally invited by
England, were supplied with the necessary passport. To this the
English Cabinet agreed, and Chaudordy informed Favre in a
despatch which arrived in Paris on the 8th of January, and also
contained the announcement, that he, Favre, had been appointed by
the Government to represent France at the Conference. This
communication was confirmed in a letter from Lord Granville to
Favre, dated the 29th of December, and received in Paris, on the
10th of January, which ran as follows:
“M. de Chaudordy has informed Lord Lyons that your Excellency
has been proposed as the representative of France at the
Conference. He has at the same time requested that I should
procure a passport permitting your Excellency to go through the
Prussian lines. I immediately requested Count Bernstorff to ask for
such a passport, and to send it to you by a German officer with a flag
of truce. I was informed yesterday by Count Bernstorff that a
passport will be at your Excellency’s disposal on its being demanded
at the German headquarters by an officer despatched from Paris for
the purpose. He added that it cannot be delivered by a German
officer, so long as satisfaction is not given to the officer who was fired
at while acting as the bearer of a flag of truce. I am informed by M.
Tissot, that much time would be lost before this communication could
be forwarded to you by the delegation at Bordeaux, and I have
accordingly proposed to Count Bernstorff another way in which it
may be transmitted to you. Requesting your Excellency to permit me
to take this opportunity of expressing my satisfaction at entering into
personal communication with you, &c.”
Favre regarded the last sentence in this letter as a recognition of
the present French Government, and an invitation that he might take
advantage of to address the Powers in London on French affairs. In
the circular of the 12th of January which he addressed to the French
Ministers, he says:—
“The Government, directly invited in this despatch, cannot,
without surrendering the rights of France, refuse the invitation thus
conveyed to her. It may certainly be objected that the time for a
discussion concerning the neutralisation of the Black Sea has not
been happily chosen. But the very fact that the European Powers
should thus have entered into relations with the French Republic at
the present decisive moment when France is fighting single-handled
for her honour and existence, lends it an exceptional significance. It
is the commencement of a tardy exercise of justice, an obligation
which cannot again be renounced. It endues the change of
Government with the authority of international law, and leaves a
nation which is free notwithstanding its wounds to appear in an
independent position upon the stage of the world’s history, face to
face with the ruler who led it to its ruin, and the Pretenders who
desire to reduce it into subjection to themselves. Furthermore, who
does not feel that France, admitted to a place amongst the
representatives of Europe, has an unquestionable right to raise her
voice in that council? Who can prevent her, supported by the eternal
laws of justice, from defending the principles that secure her
independence and dignity? She will surrender none of those
principles. Our programme remains unaltered, and Europe, who has
invited the man who promulgated that programme, knows very well
that it is his determination and duty to maintain it. There should,
therefore, be no hesitation, and the Government would have
committed a grave error if it had declined the overtures made to it.
“While recognising that fact, however, the Government consider,
as I do, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs should not leave Paris
during the bombardment of the city by the enemy, unless greater
interests were at stake.” (Then follows a long sentimental
lamentation as to the damage caused by the “rage of the aggressor”
in throwing bombs into churches, hospitals, nurseries, &c., with the
intention of “spreading terror.” The document then proceeds): “Our
brave Parisian population feels its courage rise as the danger
increases. Thus exasperated and indignant, but animated by a firm
resolve, it will not yield. The people are more determined than ever
to fight and conquer, and we also. I cannot think of separating myself
from them during this crisis. Perhaps it will soon be brought to a
close by the protests addressed to Europe and to the members of
the Corps Diplomatique present in Paris. England will understand
that until then my place is in the midst of my fellow citizens.”
Favre made the same declaration, or rather the first half of it, two
days before in the reply sent to Granville’s despatch, in which he
says: “I cannot assume the right to leave my fellow citizens at a
moment when they are subjected to such acts of violence” (against
“an unarmed population,” as—in the line immediately preceding—he
describes a strong fortress with a garrison of about 200,000 soldiers
and militia). He then continues: “Communications between Paris and
London, thanks to those in command of the besieging forces” (what
naïveté!) “are so slow and uncertain that with the best will I cannot
act in accordance with the terms of the invitation contained in your
despatch. You have given me to understand that the Conference will
meet on the 3rd of February, and will then probably adjourn for a
week. Having received this information on the evening of the 10th of
January, I should not be able to avail myself in time of your invitation.
Besides, M. de Bismarck, in forwarding the despatch, did not
enclose the passport, which, nevertheless, is absolutely essential.
He demands that a French officer shall proceed to the German
headquarters to receive it, on the plea of a complaint addressed to
the Governor of Paris with regard to the treatment of the bearer of a
flag of truce, an incident which occurred on the 23rd of December.
M. de Bismarck adds that the Prussian Commander-in-Chief has
forbidden all communication under flags of truce until satisfaction is
given for the incident in question. I do not inquire whether such a
decision, contrary to the laws of war, is not an absolute denial of a
higher right, always hitherto maintained in the conduct of hostilities,
which recognises the exigencies of a situation and the claims of
humane feeling. I confine myself to informing your Excellency that
the Governor of Paris hastened to order an inquiry into the incident
referred to by M. de Bismarck, and that this inquiry brought to his
knowledge much more numerous instances of similar conduct on the
part of Prussian sentries which had never been made a pretext for
interrupting the usual exchange of communications. M. de Bismarck
appears to have acknowledged the accuracy of these remarks, at
least in part, as he has to-day commissioned the United States
Minister to inform me that, with the reservation of inquiries on both
sides, he to-day re-establishes communications under flags of truce.
There is, therefore, no necessity for a French officer to go to the
Prussian headquarters. I will put myself in communication with the
Minister of the United States for the purpose of receiving the
passport which you have obtained for me. As soon as it reaches my
hands, and the situation in Paris permits me, I shall proceed to
London, confident that I shall not appeal in vain in the name of my
Government to the principles of justice and morality, in securing due
regard for which Europe has such a great interest.”
So far M. Favre. The condition of Paris had not altered, the
protests addressed to Europe had not put an end to the crisis, nor
could they have done so, when Favre, on January 13th, that is, three
days after the letter to Granville, and on the day of the issue of his
circular to the representatives of France abroad, sent the following
despatch to the Chancellor of the Confederation:—
“M. le Comte,—Lord Granville informs me in his despatch of
December 29th, which I received on the evening of January 10th,
that your Excellency, at the request of the English Cabinet, holds a
passport at my disposal which is necessary to enable the French
Plenipotentiary to the London Conference to pass through the
Prussian lines. As I have been appointed to that office, I have the
honour to request your Excellency to give instructions to have this
passport, made out in my name, sent to me as speedily as possible.”
I reproduce all these solely with the object of illustrating the great
difference between the character and capacity of Favre and of
Bismarck. Compare the foregoing documents with those which the
Chancellor drafted. In the former, indecision, equivocation,
affectation, and fine phrases, ending in the very opposite of what had
been emphatically laid down a few lines or a few days previously. In
the latter, on the contrary, decision, simplicity, and a natural and
purely business-like manner. On January 16th the Chancellor replied
to Favre as follows (omitting the introductory phrases):—
“Your Excellency understands that, at the suggestion of the
Government of Great Britain, I hold a passport at your disposal for
the purpose of enabling you to take part in the London Conference.
That supposition is, however, not correct. I could not enter into
official negotiations, which would be based on the presupposition
that the Government of National Defence is, according to
international law, in a position to act in the name of France, so long
at least as it has not been recognised by the French nation itself.
“I presume that the officer in command of our outposts would
have granted your Excellency permission to pass through the
German lines if your Excellency had applied for the same at the
headquarters of the besieging forces. The latter would have had no
reason to take your Excellency’s political position and the object of
your journey into consideration, and the authorisation granted by the
military authorities to pass through our lines, which, from their
standpoint, they need not have hesitated to grant, would have left
the Ambassador of his Majesty the King in London a free hand to
deal without prejudice with the question whether, according to
international law, your Excellency’s declarations could be accepted
as the declarations of France. Your Excellency has rendered the
adoption of such a course impossible by officially communicating to
me the object of your journey, and the official request for a passport
for the purpose of representing France at the Conference. The
above-mentioned political considerations, in support of which I must
adduce the declaration which your Excellency has published, forbid
me to accede to your request for such a document.
“In addressing this communication to you, I must leave it to
yourself and your Government to consider whether it is possible to
find another way in which the scruples above mentioned may be
overcome, and all prejudice arising from your presence in London
may be avoided.
“But even if some such way should be discovered, I take the
liberty to question whether it is advisable for your Excellency at the
present moment to leave Paris and your post as a member of the
Government there, in order to take part in a Conference on the
question of the Black Sea, at a time when interests of much greater
importance to France and Germany than Article XI. of the Treaty of
1856 are at stake in Paris. Your Excellency would also leave behind
you in Paris the agents of neutral States and the members of their
staffs who have remained there, or rather been kept there,
notwithstanding the fact that they have long since obtained
permission to pass through the German lines, and are therefore the
more specially committed to the protection and care of your
Excellency as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the de facto
Government.
“I can hardly believe that in a critical situation, to the creation of
which you have so largely contributed, your Excellency will deprive
yourself of the possibility of co-operating towards that solution, for
which you are equally responsible.”

I now let the diary resume its narrative.

Tuesday, January 17th.—We were joined at dinner by the Saxon,
Count Nostitz-Wallwitz, who, it is understood, is to take up an
administrative appointment here, and a Herr Winter, or von Winter,
who is to be Prefect at Chartres. On some one referring to the future
military operations, the Chief observed: “I think that when, with God’s
help, we have taken Paris, we shall not occupy it with our troops.
That work may be left to the National Guard in the city. Also a French
commandant. We shall occupy merely the forts and walls. Everybody
will be permitted to enter, but nobody to leave. It will, therefore, be a
great prison until they consent to make peace.”
The Minister then spoke to Nostitz about the French Conseils
Généraux, and said we should try to come to an understanding with
them. They would form a good field here for further political
operations. “So far as the military side of the affair is concerned,” he
continued, “I am in favour of greater concentration. We should not go
beyond a certain line, but deal with that portion thoroughly, making
the administration effectual, and in particular collect the taxes. The
military authorities are always for advancing. They have a centrifugal
plan of operations and I a centripetal. It is a question whether we
ought to hold Orleans, and even whether it would not be better to
retire also from Rouen and Amiens. In the south-east—I do not know
why—they want to go as far as Dijon. And if we cannot supply
garrisons for every place within our sphere of occupation, we should
from time to time send a flying column wherever they show
themselves recalcitrant, and shoot, hang and burn. When that has
been done a couple of times they will learn sense.” Winter was of
opinion that the mere appearance of a detachment of troops
entrusted with the task of restoring order, would be sufficient in such
districts. The Chief: “I am not so sure. A little hanging would certainly
have a better effect, and a few shells thrown in and a couple of
houses burned down. That reminds me of the Bavarian who said to a
Prussian officer of artillery: ‘What do you think, comrade; shall we set
that little village on fire, or only knock it about a little?’ but they
decided after all to set it on fire.”
I do not now remember how it was that the Chief came to speak
again of his letter he wrote yesterday to Favre. “I have given him
clearly to understand that it would not do, and that I could not believe
that he who had taken part in the affair of the 4th of September
would fail to await the issue. I wrote the letter in French, first
because I do not regard the correspondence as official but rather as
private, and then in order that every one may be able to read it in the
French lines until it reaches him.” Nostitz asked how diplomatic
correspondence in general was now conducted. The Chief: “In
German. Formerly it was in French. But I have introduced German—
only, however, with Cabinets whose language is understood in our
own Foreign Office. England, Italy and also Spain—even Spanish
can be read in case of need. Not with Russia, as I am the only one in
the Foreign Office who understands Russian. Also not with Holland,
Denmark and Sweden—people do not learn those languages as a
rule. They write in French and we reply in the same language.” “At
Ferrières I spoke to Thiers” (he meant Favre) “in French. But I told
him that was only because I was not treating with him officially. He
laughed, whereupon I said to him: ‘You will see that we shall talk
plain German to you in the negotiations for peace.’”
At tea we hear from Holstein that the bombardment on the south
side has been stopped, Blumenthal, who was always against it,
having got his way. It is hoped, however, that the Crown Prince of
Saxony will proceed vigorously with the bombardment on the north
side. One would like to tell this to our own Crown Prince, and to ask
him what would be said when it was known that the Saxons had
forced Paris to capitulate? “Unless you are quite certain of that,” said
Wagener, “and have it on absolutely trustworthy authority, do not let
the Chief hear of it. I should not like to guarantee that in that case he
would not be off to-morrow. He is a volcano whose action is
incalculable, and he does not stand jokes in such matters.” Holstein,
however, appears to have been misinformed. At least Count
Dönhoff, who came in afterwards, declared that our siege guns in the
south were also at work, but that owing to the south-west wind we
did not hear the firing, and, moreover, it was not so heavy as during
the preceding days. Fire would probably be opened to-morrow from
St. Denis upon the city, a pleasant surprise for the inhabitants of the
northern quarters.
Wednesday, January 18th.—In the morning read despatches and
newspapers. Wollmann tells me that an order has been issued
promoting our Chief to the rank of Lieutenant-General. When
Wollmann took the order up to him and congratulated him, the
Chancellor threw it angrily on the bed and said: “What is the good of
that to me?” (“Wat ik mich davor koofe?”—low German dialect.)
Doubtless imagination, but it appears to be correct that the Minister
is to-day in very bad humour and exceptionally irritable.
The festival of the Orders and the Proclamation of the German
Empire and Emperor took place in the great hall of the palace
between 12 and 1.30 p.m. It was held with much military pomp and
ceremony, and is said to have been a very magnificent and imposing
spectacle. In the meantime I took a long walk with Wollmann.
The Chief did not dine with us, as he was bidden to the
Emperor’s table. On his return I was called to him twice to receive
instructions. His voice was an unusually weak voice, and looked very
tired and worn out.
The Chief has received a communication from a number of
diplomats who have remained behind in Paris. Kern, the Swiss
Minister, who is their spokesman, requests the Chancellor to use his
influence in order to obtain permission for the persons committed to
their protection to leave the city. At the same time our right to
bombard Paris is questioned, and it is insinuated that we
intentionally fire at buildings that ought to be respected. The reply is
to point out that we have already repeatedly, through their diplomatic
representatives, called the attention of the citizens of neutral states
living in Paris to the consequences of the city’s prolonged resistance.
This was done as early as the end of September, and again several
times in October. Furthermore, we have for months past allowed
every citizen of a neutral State, who was able to give evidence of his
nationality, to pass through our lines without any difficulty. At the
present time, for military reasons, we can only extend that
permission to members of the Corps Diplomatique. It is not our fault
if subjects of neutral states have not hitherto availed themselves of
the permission to seek a place of safety for their persons and their
property. Either they have not wished to leave, or they have not been
allowed to do so by those who at present hold power in Paris. We
are fully justified by international law in bombarding Paris, as it is a
fortress, the principal fortress of France—an entrenched camp which
serves the enemy as a base of offensive and defensive action
against our armies. Our generals cannot, therefore, be expected to
refrain from attacking it, or to handle it with velvet gloves.
Furthermore, the object of the bombardment is not to destroy the
city, but to capture the fortress. If our fire renders residence in Paris
uncomfortable and dangerous, those who recognise that fact ought
not to have gone to live in a fortified town, or should not have
remained there. They may, therefore, address their complaints not to
us, but to those who transformed Paris into a fortress, and who now
use its fortifications as an instrument of war against us. Finally, our
artillery does not intentionally fire at private houses and benevolent
institutions, such as hospitals, &c. That should be understood as a
matter of course from the care with which we have observed the
provisions of the Geneva Convention. Such accidents as do occur
are due to the great distance at which we are firing. It cannot,
however, be tolerated that Paris, which has been and still is the chief
centre of military resistance, should bring forward these cases as an
argument for forbidding the vigorous bombardment which is intended
to render the city untenable. Wrote articles to the above effect.
Thursday, January 19th.—Dull weather. The post has not been
delivered, and it is ascertained on inquiry that the railway line has
been destroyed at a place called Vitry la Ville, near Châlons. From
10 a.m. we hear a rather vigorous cannonade, in which field guns
ultimately join. I write two articles on the sentimental report of the
Journal des Débats, according to which our shells only strike
ambulances, mothers with their daughters, and babies in swaddling
clothes. What evil-minded shells!
Keudell tells us at lunch that to-day’s cannonade was directed
against a great sortie with twenty-four battalions and numerous guns
in the direction of La Celle and Saint Cloud. In my room after lunch
Wollmann treats me to a number of anecdotes of doubtful
authenticity. According to him the Chief yesterday remarked to the
King, when his Majesty changed the Minister’s title to that of
Chancellor of the Empire, that this new title brought him into bad
company. To which the King replied that the bad company would be
transformed into good company on his joining it. (From whom can
Wollmann have heard that?) My gossip also informs me that the
King made a slip of the tongue yesterday at the palace, when in
announcing his assumption of the title of Emperor he added the
words “by the Grace of God.” This requires to be confirmed by some
more trustworthy authority. Another story of Wollmann’s seems more
probable, namely, that the Minister sends in a written request to the
King, almost every day, to be supplied with the reports of the
General Staff respecting the English coal ships sunk by our people
near Rouen. He used in the same way to telegraph day after day to
Eulenburg who has always been very dilatory: “What about Villiers?”
And before that in Berlin he had a request addressed to Eulenburg at
least once every week: Would he kindly have the draft of the district
regulations sent forward as early as possible?
Towards 2 o’clock, when the rattle of the mitrailleuse could be
clearly distinguished, and the French artillery was at the outside only
half a German mile in a straight line from Versailles, the Chief rode
out to the aqueduct at Marly, whither the King and the Crown Prince
were understood to have gone.
The affair must have caused some anxiety at Versailles in the
meantime, as we see that the Bavarian troops have been called out.
They are posted in large masses in the Place d’Armes and the
Avenue de Paris. The French are camped, sixty thousand strong it is
said, beneath Mont Valérien and in the fields to the east of it. They
are understood to have captured the Montretout redoubt, and the
village of Garches to the west of Saint Cloud, which is not much
more than three-quarters of an hour from here, is also in their hands.
They may, it is feared, advance further to-morrow and oblige us to
withdraw from Versailles, but this seems to be at least an
exaggeration. At dinner there is scarcely any talk of immediate
danger. Geheimrath von Löper, who is understood to be Under
Secretary in the Ministry of the Royal Household, dines with us. We
hear that there is no longer any danger for our communications in
the south-east, as Bourbaki, after pressing Werder very hard for
three days without however being able to defeat him, has given up
the attempt to relieve Belfort and is now in full retreat, probably
owing to the approach of Manteuffel. The Chief then refers to a
report that the taxes cannot be collected in various districts of the
occupied territory. He says it is difficult, indeed impossible, to
garrison every place where the population must be made to pay the
taxes. “Nor,” he adds, “is it necessary to do so? Flying columns of
infantry accompanied by a couple of guns are all that is needed.
Without even entering into the places, the people should be simply
told, ‘If you do not produce the taxes in arrear within two hours we
shall pitch some shells in amongst you.’ If they see that we are in
earnest they will pay. If not the place should be bombarded, and that
would help in other cases. They must learn what war means.”
The conversation afterwards turned on the grants that were to be
expected after the conclusion of peace, and alluding to those made
in 1866, the Chief said, inter alia: “They should not be grants of
money. I at least was reluctant for a long time to accept one, but at
length I yielded to the temptation. Besides, it was worse still in my
case, as I received it not from the King but from the Diet. I did not
want to take any money from people with whom I had fought so
bitterly for years.
“Moreover, the King was to some extent in my debt, as I had sent
him forty pounds of fine fresh caviare—a present for which he made
me no return. It is true that perhaps he never received it. Probably
that fat rascal Borck intercepted it.” “These rewards ought to have
taken the form of grants of land, as in 1815; and there was a good
opportunity of doing so, particularly in the corner of Bavaria which we
acquired, and which consisted almost entirely of State property.”
While we were alone at tea, Bucher told me that “before the war
he had a good deal to do with the Spanish affair.” (This was not
exactly news to me, as I remembered that long before that he
suddenly ordered the Imparcial, and gave directions for various
articles directed against Montpensier.) He had negotiated in the
matter with the Hohenzollerns, father and son, and had also spoken
to the King on the affair in an audience of one hour’s duration which
he had had with him at Ems.
Friday, January 20th.—I am called to the Chief at 12 o’clock. He
wishes to have his reply to Kern’s communication, and the letter in
which he declined to supply Favre with a passport, published in the
Moniteur.
Bohlen again came to dinner, at which we were also joined by
Lauer and von Knobelsdorff. The Chief was very cheerful and
talkative. He related, amongst other things, that while he was at
Frankfurt he frequently received and accepted invitations from the
Grand Ducal Court at Darmstadt. They had excellent shooting there.
“But,” he added, “I have reason to believe that the Grand Duchess
Mathilde did not like me. She said to some one at that time: ‘He
always stands there and looks as important as if he were the Grand
Duke himself.’”
While we were smoking our cigars, the Crown Prince’s aide-de-
camp suddenly appeared, and reported that Count —— (I could not
catch the name) had come, ostensibly on behalf of, and under
instructions from, Trochu, to ask for a two days’ armistice in order to
remove the wounded and bury those who fell in yesterday’s
engagement. The Chief replied that the request should be refused. A
few hours would be sufficient for the removal of the wounded and the
burial of the dead; and, besides, the latter were just as well off lying
on the ground as they would be under it. The Major returned shortly
afterwards and announced that the King would come here; and,
hardly a quarter of an hour later, his Majesty arrived with the Crown
Prince. They went with the Chancellor into the drawing-room, where
a negative answer was prepared for Trochu’s messenger.
 About 9 p.m. Bucher sent me up a couple of lines in pencil to the
effect that the letter to Kern should be published in the Moniteur to-
morrow, but that the communication to Favre should be held over for
the present.
Saturday, January 21st.—At 9.30 a.m. the Moniteur is delivered,
and contains the Chief’s letter to Favre. Very disagreeable; but I
suppose my letter to Bamberg only arrived after the paper was
printed. At 10 o’clock I am called to the Minister, who says nothing
about this mishap, although he has the newspaper before him. He is
still in bed, and wishes the protest of the Comte de Chambord
against the bombardment cut out for the King. I then write an article
for the Kölnische Zeitung, and a paragraph for the local journal.
Voigts-Rhetz, Prince Putbus, and the Bavarian Count Berghem
were the Chancellor’s guests at dinner. The Bavarian brought the
pleasant news that the Versailles treaties were carried in the second
chamber at Munich by two votes over the necessary two-thirds
majority. The German Empire was, therefore, complete in every
respect. Thereupon the Chief invited the company to drink the health
of the King of Bavaria, “who, after all, has really helped us through to
a successful conclusion.” “I always thought that it would be carried,”
he added, “if only by one vote—but I had not hoped for two. The last
good news from the seat of war will doubtless have contributed to
the result.”
It was then mentioned that in the engagement the day before
yesterday the French brought a much larger force against us than
was thought at first, probably over 80,000 men. The Montretout
redoubt was actually in their hands for some hours, and also a
portion of Garches and Saint Cloud. The French had lost enormously
in storming the position—it was said 1,200 dead and 4,000
wounded. The Chancellor observed: “The capitulation must follow
soon. I imagine it may be even next week. After the capitulation we
shall supply them with provisions as a matter of course. But before
they deliver up 700,000 rifles and 4,000 guns they shall not get a
single mouthful of bread—and then no one shall be allowed to leave.
We shall occupy the forts and the walls and keep them on short
commons until they accommodate themselves to a peace
satisfactory to us. After all there are still many persons of intelligence
and consideration in Paris with whom it must be possible to come to
some arrangement.”
Then followed a learned discussion on the difference between
the titles “German Emperor” and “Emperor of Germany,” and that of
“Emperor of the Germans” was also mooted. After this had gone on
for a while the Chief, who had taken no part in it, asked: “Does any
one know the Latin word for sausage (Wurscht)?” Abeken answered
“Farcimentum,” and I said “Farcimen.” The Chief, smiling:
“Farcimentum or farcimen, it is all the same to me. Nescio quid mihi
magis farcimentum esset.” (“Es ist mir Wurst” is student’s slang, and
means “It is a matter of the utmost indifference to me.”)
Sunday, January 22nd.—In the forenoon I wrote two paragraphs
for the German newspapers, and one for the Moniteur, in connection
with which I was twice called to see the Chief.
Von Könneritz, a Saxon, General von Stosch, and Löper joined
us at dinner. There was nothing worth noting in the conversation
except that the Minister again insisted that it would be only fair to
invest the wounded with the Iron Cross. “The Coburger,” he went on,
“said to me the other day, ‘It would really be a satisfaction if the
soldiers also got the Cross now.’ I replied, ‘Yes, but it is less
satisfactory that we two should have received it.’”
Monday, January 23rd.—I telegraph that the bombardment on the
north side has made good progress, that the fort at Saint Denis has
been silenced, and that an outbreak of fire has been observed in
Saint Denis itself as well as in Paris. All our batteries are firing
vigorously, although one cannot hear them. So we are told by
Lieutenant von Uslar, of the Hussars, who brings a letter to the Chief
from Favre. What can he want?
Shortly after 7 p.m. Favre arrived, and the Chancellor had an
interview with him, which lasted about two and a half hours. In the
meantime Hatzfeldt and Bismarck-Bohlen conversed down stairs in
the drawing-room with the gentleman who accompanied Favre, and
who is understood to be his son-in-law, del Rio. He is a portrait
painter by profession, but came with his father-in-law in the capacity
of secretary. Both were treated to a hastily improvised meal,
consisting of cutlets, scrambled eggs, ham, &c., which will doubtless
have been welcome to these poor martyrs to their own obstinacy.
Shortly after 10 o’clock they drove off, accompanied by Hatzfeldt, to
the lodgings assigned to them in a house on the Boulevard du Roi,
where Stieber and the military police also happen to have their
quarters. Hatzfeldt accompanied the gentlemen there. Favre looked
very depressed.
The Chief drove off to see the King at 10.30 p.m., returning in
about three-quarters of an hour. He looks exceedingly pleased as he
enters the room where we are sitting at tea. He first asks me to pour
him out a cup of tea, and he eats a few mouthfuls of bread with it.
After a while he says to his cousin, “Do you know this?” and then
whistled a short tune, the signal of the hunter that he has brought
down the deer. Bohlen replies, “Yes, in at the death.” The Chief: “No,
this way,” and he whistled again. “A hallali,” he adds. “I think the
thing is finished.” Bohlen remarked that Favre looked “awfully
shabby.” The Chief said: “I find he has grown much greyer than
when I saw him at Ferrières—also stouter, probably on horseflesh.
Otherwise he looks like one who has been through a great deal of
trouble and excitement lately, and to whom everything is now
indifferent. Moreover, he was very frank, and confessed that things
are not going on well in Paris. I also ascertained from him that
Trochu has been superseded. Vinoy is now in command of the city.”
Bohlen then related that Martinez del Rio was exceedingly reserved.
They, for their part, had not tried to pump him; but they once inquired
how things were going on at the Villa Rothschild in the Bois de
Boulogne, where Thiers said the General Staff of the Paris army was
quartered. Del Rio answered curtly that he did not know. For the rest,
they had talked solely about high-class restaurants in Paris, which,
they acknowledged, was an unmannerly thing to do. Hatzfeldt on his
return, after conducting the two Parisians to their lodgings, reported
that Favre was glad to have arrived after dark, and that he does not
wish to go out in the daytime in order not to create a sensation, and
to avoid being pestered by the Versailles people.
Tuesday, January 24th.—The Chief gets up before 9 o’clock and
works with Abeken. Shortly before 10 he drives off to see the King,
or, let us now say, the Emperor. It is nearly 1 o’clock when he
returns. We are still at lunch, and he sits down and takes some roast
ham and a glass of Tivoli beer. After a while he heaves a sigh and
says: “Until now I always thought that Parliamentary negotiations
were the slowest of all, but I no longer think so. There was at least
one way of escape there—to move ‘that the question should be now
put.’ But here everybody says whatever occurs to him, and when
one imagines the matter is finally settled, somebody brings forward
an argument that has already been disposed of, and so the whole
thing has to be gone over again, which is quite hopeless. That is
stewing thought to rags—mere flatulence which people ought really
to be able to restrain. Well, it’s all the same to me! I even prefer that
nothing should have been yet decided or shall be decided till to-
morrow. It is merely the waste of time in having to listen to them, but
of course such people do not think of that.” The Chief then said that
he expected Favre to call upon him again, and that he had advised
him to leave at 3 o’clock (Favre wishes to return to Paris) “on
account of the soldiers who would challenge him after dark, and to
whom he could not reply.”