"After the news of the renunciation of the hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern had been officially communicated to the imperial government of France by the royal government of Spain, the French ambassador further demanded of his Majesty the King at Ems that he would authorise him to telegraph to Paris that his Majesty the King bound himself for all future time never again to give his consent if the Hohenzollerns should renew their candidature. His Majesty the King thereupon decided not to receive the French ambassador again, and sent to tell him through the aide-de-camp on duty that his Majesty had nothing further to communicate to the ambassador."

Otto von Bismarck, published version of the Ems Dispatch, 13 July 1870. Bismarck edited a diplomatic telegram from King Wilhelm I at Bad Ems and released the shortened version to the press. France declared war four days later.