The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-24 00:00:00

OUR CO TEMPORARIES—This Morning

tHE RECALL OF MH. MOTLEY.

The Times referring to the remarkable correspondence
between Mr. Motley and Mr. Fish on the subject of the
removal of the former from his past as American Ambas-
sador, and also his opinions with respect to the Alabama.
question,says:—The latter are now put forward as the real
cause of the recall of Mr. Motley, which was delayed
from two causes—partly to avoid the scandal of with-
drawing the letters accrediting him immediately after his
arrival, and partly because it was thought he might use-
fully complete the negotiation of the Naturalisation
Treaty and of the Consular Convention. It must, of
course; follow that if Mr. Motley is recalled
for the faults imputed to him, General Schenck
must come with instructions to avoid a repeti-
tion of them. His words must be words of the
strictest friendship, and anything like a threatening re-
ference to the ulterior consequences which would follow a.
failure of negotiations must be avoided. Tho charge of
liability for the alleged premature recognition of the
belligerency of the South must also be withdrawn. Gene-
, ral Schenck will, in fact, come to discuss in a business-
like manner* the business-like questions whether there
was such a duty on the part of the English Govern-
ment to stop the Alabama and such a laxity in per-
forming it that We are responsible in damages for her
escape, and we cannot but hope that a discussion
opened in this spirit will lead to the settlement
of a dispute injurious to the characterof both nations. We
have a right to say for ourselves that while we do not
acknowledge any negligence for which we can be made
liable, we have given indisputable evidence of our readiness
to refer this question to judicial arbitrament, and General
Schenck on his arrival will find us in the same peaceful
and law-respecting mind.

THE STATE OF FEELING IN PARIS.

Commenting on the excitement in Paris wrought by the

news of the failure of the last sortie, the Daily News
observes :—Paris is evidently in a perilous state. The
social atmosphere is full of combustible elements which
the most trivial circumstance might ignite, causing far
more ruin than any bombardment by the Imperial
troops. Paris has borne the privations of this siege
so nobly, that we should all be sorry to find her
perplexed and weakened, in what may be the last
days of her great trial, by political tumult. But a few
days more of calm and self-reliance, and, if she must suc-
cumb, she will know that she has striven bravely and well
to the end, and Europe will regard this portion of her
history as wiping out the stains which the Empire
placed upon her. The provinces have been of late
learning to do without the capital. They are not pre-
sided over by a Government against which any
complaint of inaction can be preferred. Army after
army may be raised only to be defeated, but M. Gam-
betta accepts no defeat; and, in his most recent procla-
mations, he announces that if the Prussians are three
months hence on French soil they are lost. Indeed, there
is more of the true Republican fire and ring in
his last speeches than in the semi-military bulle-
tins which he issued after leaving Paris. France,
he says, only needs faith. She will be saved,
" not by a man, but by an idea, by the Republic; which
will have taken its place amongst us, and will guide our
destinies." Nevertheless, the idea must be represented by
agents, and it is military men of whom France is most
urgently in need just now. M. Gambetta may fan the
flames of patriotism, and stir the departments to
fresh efforts, but he cannot command armies.
If the recent departure of Bourbaki was due
to his counsels, the result has only been another instance
in the present campaign of the fatal influence sometimes
wrought by politicians in controlling military movements.
M. Gambetta, we hear, is now engaged at Lille in reor-
ganising the shattered remnants of the Army of the
North. Although the weight of public cares has told
upon hisphysique, he is as full of undaunted courage and
hope as ever. He says little or nothing about Paris. It
is upon France he calls, in terms which reminds one of
another period in French history. It is possible that
Paris may come out of her prison to fini that the
country has not been wholly concerned in thinking how
to release her, but has begun on its own account an
enormous enterprise which will involve either victory or
suicide.