"MONACO, _Oct. 22nd, 1914_.
"GENERAL:
"To avert from the Commune of Sissonne and that of Marchais the
rigorous treatment with which you have threatened them, I give my word
of honor to remit to His Majesty the Emperor William, should the war
come to an end without intentional damage being caused to my residence
or to these two communes, the necessary sum to complete the amount of
five hundred thousand francs imposed by you upon Sissonne.
"As a Sovereign Prince, I wish to deal in this matter with the
Sovereign who, during fifteen years, called me his friend and has
decorated me with the Order of the Knight of the Black Eagle.
[Sidenote: Prince comments on German treatment of monuments.]
"My conscience and my dignity place me above fear, as also my personal
will shall elevate me above regret; but should you destroy the Château
de Marchais which is one of the centers of universal science and
charity, should you reserve to this archeological and historical gem
the treatment you have given to the Cathedral of Rheims--when no
reprehensible action has been committed there--the whole world will
judge between you and myself.
"I tender to Your Excellency the expression of my high regard.
"ALBERT, _Sovereign Prince of Monaco_."