The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-19 00:00:00

THE FRENCH NATION AND THE
WAR.

Messrs. J. M. Johnson and Sons. Imsdon Office, Monitcur
niverscl, 3, Castle-streat, liolboro, London, writes:-
- - -

We beg to enclose for publication a few extracts
from the official reports, furnished after the declaration
of July 6, by the Prefects under the Empire, and to
which allusion was made in the recent Circular of the
Delegate of the National Government of Defence at
Tours. These extracts serve to show that the people
in the various departments throughout France, being
desirous for peace. had but very little sympathy with
the then projected war.

" LoY.—The very serious depression of the funds has for
some days given • certain stability to the rumours of war
that preoccupy the public mind. In the towns evil-disposed
persons have taken advantage of this to spread fear abroad,
but, in the provinces, the population, confident in the poll.
Veal wisdom of the Empe-or and of his Government, says,
with great good sense, The Emperor will not wage war if
he Con avoid It, but he will always understand how to make
the honour and independence of France respected.'
"VercLu,E.—The people reprehend • war which will
cause considerable trouble In its prosecution, and fear that
the E isperor will too easily allow himself to be led into it
All that the Government can accomplish in the interests of
the preservation of peace will thus be getieraUy approved
to this department.

"BASSES PYRENEES —The speeches of M. le Garde des
Sceaux and his loyal aflirmati xi in favour of the mainten-
ance of peace have moderated that which would to certain
minds appear too ardent and too significant In the mani-
festations which were made daring the sitting of the (P.h of
,luly,
"ALPS MARITINES.—ft Is hoped that Prussia and Spain
will reflect before engaging in so perilous an adventure. If,
however, it should prove otherwise, and the necessity arise
to resort to arms, the country would not hesitate to support
to a man every measure necessary for the preservation of the
honour, dignity, and security of France.
" Anna:rug —lt Is ardently hoped that the very plain and
categorical declaration of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
will serve to dissipate all future complications, but, If it
should not prove so, a war with Prussia will best respond to
the national feeling. With this must be considered the mer-
cantile and industrial interests, which suffer heavily from
all external complications. In this department, the Maire,
and, indeed, every one, Is more or less engaged in commerce.
Regarded, therefore, in • business light, war appears to
thew as a new calamity, added to the vine disease, the fall-
ing off of silkworms, and the extreme drought which at
present and for the future threatens to ...smile disastrous
proportions Relative to the rural population, I have not
yet any information. News travels slowly here, but such as
reaches us is neither warlike nor very clear. The peasantry
suffer unusually this year from drought, which has destroyed
the forage, as well as to a great extent the potato crops,
and war would add materially to the generally prevailing
distress.

I can say Is that this startling news In the
midst of profound calm has caused • great sensation, and
that the people hope that everything will be attempted for
the maintenance of pea, ; still the nstional Mu* is touched,
and if war lie neceasary, being waged against Prussia, it will
be acceptol with satisfaction.

"CIiShENTF..—No One wishes tor a Prussian prince in
Spain. The people receive war patriotically. They would
prefer peace, as that would constitute a moral victory.
Neither weakness nor timidity in the Government would be
pardoned
“CIIARENTE INFERIEURE —The high and energetic atti-
tude of the Government elicited momentary approval, but,
upon calmer consideration, anxiety for security In the
future mingled with apprehensions as to the results of the
war was eviroed The people understand that further con-
sideration will be given to the question They will not urge
the department to possible hostility while it awaits the de-
cision of the Government, bat rather lead It to demand that
everything which is compatible with the dignity of the
country be done to preserve peace. Should all efforts fall,
the population of Charente inferieure will remain devoted to
the Empire, even in waging war.

. _
CHEUSE —Peace, without doubt, Is, aII,JVCI all. dedred,
However, If war ahuuld prove indispensable, pubic opinion
will entirely agree with the Government.

•.HArIE G•RONNE —lf war is us cessm7, it will never
have been more popular; but, on the other hand, if the
Government MI, by its moral power alone, coerce Prussia
Into yielding, the population will be certainly grateful for
the preservation of peace.
Guits.—lf our agricultural populations, by temperament
and interest, particularly Incline to pacific ideas, they are
all inestixble of being indifferent to the sentiments of
patriotism.
"ILLE-ET.VILAINE.—No one desires war. It is held to be
the derivative of a great social disease wnich harasses our
country. . .

INDRE KT Lotrai —War Is always regorded as a scourge,
and is not to be believed in.

I.,dur —The country delires peace. it would only re-
luctantly accept a war ; but would certainly prefer It to Ha-
Wend humiliation.

" MOSELLE —The population here certainly doea not wish
tor war, bat ardently desire, peace, 1 here are in this
locality too many interesta engaged ia large induatrlea tar It
to be otherwime.

" HAUT ItHlN.—The (toleration of the 6th of July haa
been generally well received and the energetic attitude
of the Government applauted ; but It is not to be dissem-
bled that the people emire peace, and hope still that it may

'• lino:in—lf the question could be decided by A con-
gress—that le, without war, the people would be very well
pleased.
- • •• • • - -

lIAUT dANE —Peace to ardently desired, And It IA
generally believed here that the energetic salon of the Go-
vernment will secure it.

" &kiting —The population do not deal re an armed con-
flict, becaum they know that the price ox glory Is gracious
aacritice."
Igoe. 11, le7o.