The war had not been caused by the Emperor; it was the nation which was responsible for it.

It had arisen from the intolerance of the French character, which looked on the prosperity of other nations as an insult to themselves.

They must expect the same feeling to continue: "We cannot seek guarantees for the future in French feeling.

We must not deceive ourselves; we must soon expect a new attack; we cannot look forward to a lasting peace, and this is quite independent of the conditions we might impose on France.

It is their defeat which the French nation will never forgive.