Bismarck's successor in the chancellory, Count Caprivi, set matters in their true light in a speech in the Reichstag shortly after the publication of Bismarck's _Reminiscences_.
I dissent from the views expressed by the well-informed reviewer of Ollivier's _L'Empire liberal_ (vol.viii.) in the _Times_ of May 27, 1904, who pins his faith to an interview of Bismarck with Lord Loftus on July 13, 1870.

Bismarck, of course wanted war; but so did Gramont, and I hold that _the latter_ brought it about.] If we pay attention, not to the present more complete knowledge of the whole affair, but to the imperfect information then open to the German public, war was the natural result of the second and very urgent demand that came from Paris.

The Duc de Gramont in dispatching it must have known that he was playing a desperate game.

Either Prussia would give way and France would score a diplomatic triumph over a hated rival; or Prussia would fight.

The friends of peace in France thought matters hopeless when that demand was sent in so insistent a manner.