The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-20 00:00:00

THE debate on the policy of the Governme

respecting the war clearly established their justifica-
tion. Two facts were specially noticeable through-
out the evening. No important member of the
Opposition undertook to shew that Earl GRANVILLE'S
management could have been improved. Secondly,
though it was easy enough to deliver lively criticisms
on the despatches just issued, yet when it came
to the question of what kind of despatches ought to
have been written, the collapse of the assailants was
most melancholy. The absence from this debate of
anything like suggestion of a different policy
is most remarkable. Such a result was to
be expected. The English people have never
before been subjected to the trial of witnessing
the ruin of a neighbouring State, since tho time when

friendly relations between the two were permanently
established. A war commenced for an unworthy
purposed, and continued - for a purpose scarcely less
unworthy, is a sore task upon the patience of a nation
which was formerly 'accustomed to actively interfere
in such struggles. No wonder that as the
work of destruction goes on, the question
whether something cannot be done should be more
and more petulantly asked. The public refuses to
bring itself face to face with the bard fact that
interference is impossible. Yet the evidence is over-
whelming that by no means could we haveexerted any
decisive influence on the contest, save by the course,
almost unanimously condemned, of plunging into war
ourselves. The English Government remonstrated
with the Emperor NAPOLEON for declaring war ;
their representations were useless. The Frenchruler
had convinced himself for the moment, or those who
had influence over him had convinced themselves,
that a successful war was absolutely indispensable to
the maintenance of his despotic power*; and
the conclusion was not wholly unfounded,
though it was most ruinous one. It was not
likely that the English Government could set aside
such a conviction after it had been publicly pro-
claimed to all Europe. Effective interference was
equally unhopeful later on, when it rested with Ger-
many to decide. The English Government was left
unsupported. It did recommend King WILLIAM'S
Government to chew moderation, but anything like
urgent recommendation would only be calculated to
make the terms harder. The truth is, and it had better
be acknowledged, that friendly offices, though highly
valuable on many occasions, have but limited worth
in struggles of this magnitude, when the passions of
mankind are once aroused. We could no more
decisively affect the course of this war than we shall
be able to change the course of that which will be
waged some time hence to win back Alsace and
Aorraine.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

THE TERMS OF PEACE.

Saturday's Echo du Nord states, or rather repeats
positively a previously doubtful statement, that the
German terms of peace will be the cession of Algae()
and Lorraine and the payment of £120,000,000 as a
war indemnity. The Lille paper relies confidently on
this news, which it gets from a serious source. Tho
terms have a not unlikely appearance, the only doubt
being about Metz. If the Germans are willing
to return this fortress, they will diplay
moderation which will be much to their
own material advantage, and greatly .finprove their
moral position in Europe. Metz is 'a splendid
fortress, but the Cologne Gazette has itself shown
why its possession would be a danger to Germany,
and therefore it is superfluous for outsiders to press
the point. The Echo du Nord, though protesting
against the transfer of twelve hundred Frenchmen
against their will, states plainly that these terms.
must be taken. Their acceptance is a melancholy
necessity. Much the same feeling is predominant in
the French press. Tho nation would give almost
any sum of money to save even a fraction of its
countrymen. Thus the Echo du Nord makes light
of the hundred and twenty millions, though the
burden will be enormous. The loss of territory is
the great blow. Amid their many errors, this is a
feeling which upholds the credit of the French.