The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-20 00:00:00

THE WAR,

The -Times, speaking on the subeect of neutrality, re-
marks that how limg such a position will be possible to us
as Englishmen must depend upon the conduct of the war
itself. The belligerents are equally matched, and there is
nothing from which we can augur that the sword will soon
be sheathed. The ' Martial excitement of the French
is not more remarkable than the resolute spirit of
the Germans—a spirit which animates the solemn and im-
pressive speeches of the King of Prussia. But, however
long the war maylast, it is in the power of the combatants
to respect the neutrality of the States which lie be-
tween them. This is no longer a war between France
and the Prussian kingdom, on a frontier of a few
miles in front of Metz. In such a case there might have
been a strong temptation and some excuse for vio-
lating the Belgian and Luxemburg territories. But this
is a war between France and all Germany, and tfie fron-
tier of the belligerents extends from the Luxemburg dis-
trict to Basle. Here, then, we have complete accessibility
for each combatant to the territory of the other, and no
strategical necessity can justify either in setting foot on
neutral ground.

The Telegraph says that from her geographical position,
as well as from her political relations, Belgium is un-
doubtedly exposed to very serious dangers. If the war
were to be carried on simply and solely in accordance
with strategical considerations, the Low Countries
would infallibly earn once more their ominous title of
the Cockpit of Europe. Verviers, in the north, is the
point at which the French armies would probably
enter Westphalia ; while, in the event of
Prussia's Invading France, the route by Namur
and Mons is the one most likely to be se-
lected. Yet, for reasons too obvious to need
recapitulation, the Governments of Berlin and Paris are
alike unwilling to incur the consequences which might ensue
from any violation of the neutrality of Belgium : and the
assurances which have been given both from the Tuile-
ries and from Potsdam, to the effect that no invasion of
Belgium is contemplated, have, the Telegraph believes,
been made in all good faith. No doubt those assurances
are qualified with a stipulation, that the immunity
of the Flamand provinces can only be observed so long
as the enemy fulfils the agreement with equally
scrupulous care ; and, since it is never difficult to find
a pretext for the assertion that the neutrality of a
State has been so employed as to favour one side or the
other, the Te/egraqh cannot disguise its apprehensions.
And if the violation of Belgian neutrality should be found
to be a matter of vital importance for either side, an ade-
quate excuse will soon be forthcoming. Under these cir-
cumstances, it is impossible that the duties which might
devolvr, upon England in respect of her treaty obligations
should be overlooked by our Government ; and arrange-
ments have already been made, by which, in case of need,
Antwerp might be rapidly garrisoned with English
troops.

The Standard remarks that for France or Prussia to in-
vade Belgium or Luxemburg would be either a childish
escapade or a defiance to Europe. Suppose even that
England and the other neutrals would not interfere—
neither France nor Prussia could afford now to sustain
the prejudice which such a proceeding would occasion,
and neither could afford to add to the strength of its
antagonists the sixty or seventy thousand men of
whom Belgium or Holland, as the case might be,
could dispose. But after the absurd stories which
have been stated with so much emphasis, and which
have caused no little uneasiness amongst the ill-informed
and the timid, it is satisfactory to have these direct and
distinct assurances of both Governments that they mean
to do what they have pledged themselves to do, and that
they will not, in order to fight out out their own quarrel
more conveniently, drag all Europe into it, Of course this
engagement stands for the present. Either Power may, in
the pressure of a life-and-death struggle, take a course that
would be perfectly unjustifiable, and to save itself ruin a
eaker neighbour. We must be prepared for such a con-
tingency, but we may accept with satisfaction the assur-
ances that. both Powers at present consider honesty the
best policy, and intend, until otherwise advised, to adhere,
to their engagements.