The Minister afterwards said, addressing Roggenbach:--“I have just looked through the newspaper extracts. How they do abuse the treaties! They simply tear them into shreds. The _National Zeitung_, the _Kölnische_,--the _Weser Zeitung_ is still the most reasonable, as it always is. Of course one must put up with criticism; but then one is responsible if the negotiations come to nothing, while the critics have no responsibility. I am indifferent as to their censure so long as the thing gets through the Reichstag. History may say that the wretched Chancellor ought to have done better; but I was responsible. If the Reichstag introduces amendments every German Diet can do the same, and then the thing will drag on and we shall not be able to secure the peace we desire and need. We cannot demand the cession of Alsace if no political entity is created, if there is no Germany to cede it to.” The question of the peace negotiations to follow in the approaching capitulation of Paris was then discussed, and the difficulties which might arise. The Chief said:--“Favre and Trochu may say, ‘We are not the Government. We were part of it at one time, but now that we have surrendered we are private persons. I am nothing more than Citizen Trochu.’ But at that point I should try a little coercion on the Parisians. I should say to them: ‘I hold you, two million people, responsible in your own persons. I shall let you starve for twenty-four hours unless you agree to our demands.’ Yes, and yet another four-and-twenty hours, come what might of it.