The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-29 00:00:00

M. GIIIZOT AND THE WAR.

Ou the present painful position of France, M.
Guisot has sent the following letter to The Times:—

••
It is somewhat generally believed in England—First, that I I
France wished for and brousht about the present war with
Front.; and secondly, that in consequence of the reverses {
experienced by the French nun, France is no longer able to
carry on the war, and ought to accept the oonditions of
peace which Prussia dictates, however hard these condi-
tions may be. I believe that the English public Is mistaken
on both points, and mistaken because it judges from appear-
ances awl not from realities and fact..
In order to prove this I most look back • few years. if
we really desire to understand the wishes of • nation we
mast not attempt to form an estimate of them from • single
day or • solitary fact.
When France welcomed the Second Empire in 185? it was
because the nation dreaded anarchy, and not because it
wished for war. Indeed, so universal sod distinct wan this de-
clarative of attachment to • pane policy that the Govern-
ment found it necessary to treat it with reapect, and to
amen on several occasions "L'Enspirs, c'e4l to pair"
The feeling of the nation on this subject wee not changed
either by the Crimean War or the warts Italy. It displayed
it. usual military ardour in carrying them on, but had shown
no eager desire for them, and was evidently very glad to see
them so speedily ended. These two wan gave France a
keener appreciation of the blessings of peace, and the war
in Mexico still further developed her pacific tendencies and
aspiration
From IEBS to 1870, in spite of the uneniness caused by
the battle of Satin,a and its oonsequencee the nation did
not in any way urge the Imperial Government to make war
upon Prussia. It did not refuse any of the supplies which
the Government asked in order that it might hold
itself ready In case of need, bet while granting them
it constantly exprened it. attachment to • policy el
I peace. It we. in the Imperial Government Itself that
the thought of war originated; ii waa there that, is
accordance with the warlike traditions of the Fleet
Empire, and to serve tbe dynastic interests of the
Second, war was looked upon as • necessity. The Govern-
ment of Napoleon 111. at that time involved itself in • laby-
rinth of confused and perfidious negotiations, either with the
object of waiting for a favourable opportunity of mating war
upon Prussia, or in the annotation of being relieved from
the necessity of making war by such an addition of territory
as might gratify the amour-prows of the Emperor and secure
hi, Mona
The position of affairs Was sufficiently complicated When,
in 1870, the candidateship of the Prince of Hohenzollern was
annonoced. This extension of Prussian power in Europe
was et once strongly opposed by the Imperial Government.
which allowed It to be plainly understood that such • com-
plication might bring about war. The attitude assumed by
the French Government waa very exaggerated, and quite
contrary to recent and striking precedenta, but the Prussian
Government acted with sagacity and prudence. Upon
receipt of the protest of the French Government it decided
that the Pruden Prince should renounn his candidature for
the throne of Spain, and this fact was officially notified
to the French Government by the Spanish Government.
Thus the difficulty was adjusted 7 we had struggled through
this wretched diplomstic ravine and peace seemed certain.
At that very time there was a strong movement among its in
favour of reform In the Imperial Government, and a return
to the greater security of Parliamentary rule. Once again
the country demanded, and seemed as If it were about to
obtain, its right and nece.sery influence in the management
of its own affairs. The Emperor, his Court, and Me self.
seeking partisans In the French Chematers were on the point
of losing their personal power.
I do not know, and I do not eare to ask, who first sugges-
ted that an exceptional, useless, and objectionable demand
should be addressed to the King of Prude Ile was re-
quired to guarantee that the abandoned candidature of
Flinn Hohenzollern should never at any time or under any
circumstances he resumed. As might have been expected the
King of Prussia refund this demand. Immediately, with a
blind and passionate precipitance on the part of the
Imperial Gonninient and those who habitesily defended
it in the French Chambers, favoaned by the most
Unpardonable weakness among the friends of ParUs-
meeter, Reform, both in the Ministry and in the Corp.
Leglaiaiil, and in spite of • few intelligent asid bold retest'
slimness, war wits declared seethe% Prussia, and in reality,
t though without avowing It, the whole direction of ills war
was assumed by the penonal ruler of France.
Rare I may pause • few days alter this deplorable and
incapable Imperial Misfiles out troika were defeated; the
Emperor was a prisoner at Mato, and dethroned in Paris.
• The impaUl Opines, lir/411/1", Ministry, Senate, Corps
I.6loladf, all disappeared Swam

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