expression to the prevailing feeling in his answer to a question on the
subject in the Chamber of Deputies (July 6):--

[Footnote 23: The ex-queen Isabella died in Paris in April 1904.]

We do not think that respect for the rights of a neighbouring
people [Spain] obliges us to allow an alien Power [Prussia],
by placing one of its princes on the throne of Charles V., to
succeed in upsetting to our disadvantage the present
equilibrium of forces in Europe, and imperil the interests
and honour of France. We have the firm hope that this
eventuality will not be realised. To hinder it, we count both
on the wisdom of the German people and on the friendship of
the Spanish people. If that should not be so, strong in your
support and in that of the nation, we shall know how to
fulfil our duty without hesitation and without weakness[24].

[Footnote 24: Sorel, _Hist. diplomatique de la Guerre Franco-Allemande_,
vol. i. p. 77.]

The opening phrases were inaccurate. The prince in question was Prince
Leopold of the Swabian and Roman Catholic branch of the Hohenzollern
family, who, as the Duc de Gramont knew, could by no possibility recall
the days when Charles V. reigned as Emperor in Germany and monarch in
Spain. This misstatement showed the intention of the French Ministry to
throw down the glove to Prussia--as is also clear from this statement in
Gramont's despatch of July 10 to Benedetti: "If the King will not advise
the Prince of Hohenzollern to withdraw, well, it is war forthwith, and
in a few days we are at the Rhine[25]."