Bismarck was informed of what was going on and was therefore the more anxious to face at once what he considered an inevitable war. As already stated, Napoleon did not communicate to his responsible minister his decision to require of the King of Prussia the absolute assurance that no German prince should ever again be nominated for the throne of Spain. In doing so he put him- self in a position where Bismarck could manceuver him into a dilemma from which there seemed no exit except war.
This was done by the famous editing of the Ems dispatch through which, taking advantage of King William's permission to modify and eliminate, Bismarck gave to the report sent by the king the appearance that nothing further could be said between the king and the French envoy and that therefore the only alternative to the French was retreat or war. This act illus- trates one of the most terrible dangers of secret diplomacy in that just at the time when inflam- mable material is at hand in abundance, one word or phrase may give a decisive turn to develop- ments and force an issue, in a certain direction, without allowing a chance for calm consideration of all that is involved.
Bismarck considered that the unification of Ger-
