Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish
Sir: All Berlin is alive with preparations for the triumphal entry of the Emperor into the capital of Germany on Friday next, and between two and three hundred thousand people from abroad are expected here on the occasion. The most interesting business before the Diet relates to indemnity for losses during the war, and the indemnification is to be carried further than ever before.
Ship-owners whose ships were detained in foreign ports are to receive relief for the extraordinary expenses to which they were exposed. Everything destroyed in Alsace and the German part of Lorraine is to be paid for or rebuilt.
Four millions of thalers are to be set apart for distribution among the generals who have most distinguished themselves in the late war, and this appropriation will be voted by parliament out of the moneys to be received from France. The chancellor of the empire, lately raised to the rank of a prince, will receive a forest in the duchy of Lauenburg, esteemed to be worth one million of thalers. This donation will be made by the King of Prussia as duke of Lauenburg; and the property is so situated that no act of parliament will be needed to confirm the grant.
The diplomatic relations of the new empire are receiving some extension in the east and in the west.
A chargé d’affaires from Japan appeared here not long ago, and fifty-five [Page 397] young Japanese, as he informs me, are now distributed through Germany, diligently engaged in making themselves masters of the German language and culture. The chargé manifested a particular wish to place himself on the best terms with the American legation here. He brought me, however, nothing from your department. The republic of Colombia has sent here Mr. Santa Maria as consul general, with a contingent appointment as chargé. He came immediately to me before presenting himself to the government, declaring that he was instructed to do so by his own government, and appeared to take very great pleasure in representing the close analogy between the constitution of the United States of Colombia and our own. But he brought me no letter whatever from any one, and I have no instruction respecting him from you. His manner implied a very hearty sympathy with our government, and a disposition to lean upon it for moral support.
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I have already written you that diplomatic relations between Berlin and Versailles will soon be opened by the mutual appointment of chargés d’affaires. Viscount Gabriac—not be whose wife is an American lady, formerly of New York—is expected before many days. This government has appointed for Versailles Count Waldersee, who was formerly military attaché to the Prussian embassy at Paris. Very few days will elapse before this arrangement will go into effect. So soon as Count Waldersee enters upon his duties, Mr. Washburne can give up his duty of protecting Germans in France. I keep him informed of what passes here on the subject. Count Waldersee leaves for France to-morrow.
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I remain, &c.,