The German Ambassador said to me on Saturday: "The political situation
is much improved in the last forty-eight hours; the tension is generally
relaxed; one may hope for a return to peace in the near future. But what
does not improve is the state of public opinion in France and Germany
with regard to the relations between the two countries. We are persuaded
in Germany that a spirit of chauvinism having revived, we have to fear an
attack by the Republic. In France they express the same fear with regard
to us. The consequence of these misunderstandings is to ruin us both. I
do not know where we are going on this perilous route. Will not a man
appear of sufficient goodwill and prestige to recall every one to reason?
All this is the more ridiculous because, during the crisis we are
traversing, the two Governments have given proof of the most pacific
sentiments, and have continually relied upon one another to avoid
conflicts."