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Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 3

Bismarck believed in something stronger than "economic annihilation" when dealing with n vanquished nation. His private secretary, Moritz Busch, records that on January 25th, 1871, Bismarck "issued instructions to Rosenberg at Rheims respecting the collection of taxes. The municipalities are to be called upon to pay o per cent, extra for each day of arrears. Inlying columns with artillery are to be sent to districts where payment is obstinately refused. If the inhabitants do pot pay up t immediately, they are to shell the place and set it on fire. 'lt is not our business,' remarked the Chancellor, 'to win over the French by considerate treatment, but to inspire them with fear.' " The same day Busch notes that Bismarck amused them at dinner with an incident in the negotiations with Jules Favre. "Ho told me," said tho Chancellor, "that on.Sun~ days the Paris boulevards are still full of fashionably-dressed women with pretty children. 'You .surprise me,' I replied: 'I wonder you have not eaten them.'" So we may ignore the tears of the Germans as they contemplate the necessity of .paying up.