Washburne to Washburne, United States, September 26, 1870
Mr. E. B. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of the telegraphic dispatch of Mr. Motley in regard to the protest of Count Bismarck, and the reply of the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne, which carry with them their own explanation.
[Untitled]
Copy of a telegraphic dispatch received by Mr. Washburne, minister of the United States, from Mr. Motley, United States minister at London, dated London, August 22, at 5.55 p. m., and delivered by Mr. Washburne to the Prince de la Tour d’Auvergne, Tuesday, August 23, 1870:
“E. B. Washburne, United States minister, Paris:
“At the request of Count Bernstorff, the North German representative here, I send you the following message received by him from Count Bismarck this morning.”
“‘Please say to the American minister, Mr. Washburne, in Paris: A man carrying a flag of truce, who arrived at the French outposts, accompanied by the ordinary trumpeter, in order to invite a proposal from surgeons in the interest of French wounded, was fired on, on the 19th instant, by all the French advance guards he met, so that he was obliged to return after his trumpeter had been severely wounded. We protest against this breach of international law, and will hold France responsible for the fate of the French wounded, for whom our medical help proves insufficient.’
“Count Bismarck says to Count Bernstorff:
“‘I request you to say further to the American minister, Mr. Washburne, at Paris, that, according to the experience we have hitherto had, the medical staff of the imperial French troops does not wear the badge provided by the convention of Geneva, and that those badges when worn by our medical men are not respected by the French troops, so that constantly at the places for bandaging the surgeons and wounded are shot at. As the manner in which our men carrying flags of truce are treated, contrary to international law, prevents us from sending our complaints in the direct way, we have no other means than to request, herewith, the American minister to state at Paris our formal protest against a breach of that international convention.’”