Bismarck slowly approached Fabre, his face devoid of any emotion, and said word by word: "This war was started by France, and the responsibility should be borne by the French government.
Prussia has paid too much for this war, and mere financial compensation cannot alleviate the pain in the hearts of the Prussian army and people.
If your government is unwilling to cede territory as compensation, that's fine, we can discuss this again in Paris."
Fabre, of course, understood the hidden threat in Bismarck's words. Pleasantly phrased as discussing in Paris again, but bluntly, it meant that if the French government did not agree to cede territory, the Prussian army would continue its attack on Paris.
Once the French capital falls, it will be much harder for the French government to refuse to cede territory and pay reparations.
Seeing that Bismarck was not swayed by hard tactics, Fabre could only change his strategy.
