12 FRANCO-GERMAN RELATIONS 1871-1914

n

A df&xte began with the triumph of the Republicans in the
French elections of December, 1877, which removed the fear
of a clerico-monarchical restoration. The recall of Gontaut-
Biron5 with whom the Chancellor had hardly been on speaking
terms since the crisis of 1875, was hailed by him as an olive
branch, though his departure brought tears to the eyes of the
aged Emperor. The appointment of the Comte de St. Vallier,
who had established excellent relations with Manteuffel during
the occupation of French territory, confirmed the favourable
impression of the Dufaure Ministry and of Waddington, the
new Foreign Minister, On February 4, 1878, the Ambassador
reported that the members of the Bundesrath saw in his
appointment " a new era," and the Chancellor showed himself
particularly amiable in their first interview. An invitation to
take part in the Congress of Berlin was accepted, and Bismarck
went so fa'r as to offer the presidency to Waddington, in whom
he expressed the same complete confidence that he had felt for
Thiers. Even in Alsace-Lorraine there was a slight temporary
detente.

When Waddington learned during the Congress of Berlin
that Great Britain had secured the occupation of Cyprus from
Turkey, he told Beaconsfield that he must withdraw; but
Salisbury was ready with a solatium. " You cannot leave
Carthage in the hands of barbarians. Do what you like there."
The advice was supported by Bismarck, and on his return
Waddington secured from Salisbury a written assurance of
desintmssement in Tunis. No action was taken at the moment,
but the conversations at Berlin opened a new chapter in Franco-
German relations. In January, 1879, Bismarck invited St.
Vallier, whom he described as "notre drapeau de paix et
d'entente," to Friedrichsruh, where he urged the seizure of
Tunis, " I think that the pear is ripe and that it is time for you
to gather it. I do not know if it tempts you, but I must
repeat what I said kst year to M. Waddington. My desire is
to give you pledges of goodwill in matters which concern you
and where German interests do not collide with yours. It is
only fair, for I appreciate the efforts which he and you have
made to restore confidence between our two countries. Neither
the Emperor nor I want another war on our hands. I believe
that the French people need some satisfaction for their amour-
propre, and I sincerely desire to see them obtain what they