The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-25 00:00:00

NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.

We are in a position fully to confirm the information
which we gave exclusively in yesterday's impression, that
certain negotiations were on foot between the German
headquarters at Versailles and the ex-Empress of
the French at Chislehurst. These negotiations,
as we stated, took their origin in certain
proposals exchanged between Marshal Bazaine
at Metz and the Prussian camp proposals
which, since they bore an important reference
to political as distinct from military affairs, were naturally
sent on—along with. their bearer, General Boyer—to the
King's head-quarters. The proposals, and, if we are not
misinformed, also the discussions upon them which
took place between Count Bismarck and Bazaine's
envoy, involved the plan of bringing about
the return of the ex-Empress Eugenie to France
to resume the functions of the Regency : at least to such
an extent that :le might, in name of the de jure Govern-
ment of the country, conduct or sanction the arrangements
for peace that might be made with the Germans. But it
is only just to state that, as we understand, the proposi-
tions which General Boyer bore to Versailles, and
which were there the subject of deliberation, were
made without prejudice to any ulterior arrangements that
might be contemplated as to the future regulation of
the internal government of France. As we have
already announced, the Envoy who came to England
was charged to lay before her Majesty the proposals put
forward at Metz, and discussed—if not even so far
approved—at the Royal head - quarters ; and not
only so, but he was authorised to suggest the
immediate departure of the ex-Empress for Ver-
sailles, where the scheme for the bringing about
of peace might secure more full and more in-
stantly effective execution. It is not improbable
that even when we write the august lady may
have already quitted England ; but it is of course
impossible to state exactly what influence the armistice
proposals of Lord Granville, abruptly intervening while
another method for settlement was actua.ly in the stage
of discussion, may have upon the plans propounded
originally from Metz. One thing, at least, may be
confidently expected—that the action on which the
English Government has entered will be limited to
impressing on the belligerents the wisdom of terminating
the war at its present stage. It is not our business—nor
might it be welcome to either Power—if we went into any
discussion either of the terms on which an armistice or peace
should he concluded, or of the political arrange-
ments in France which are to precede or flow
from the negotiations for peace. If, yielding to
the counsel of the Neutrals and the urgent pressure of
cruel facts, the belligerent nations only consent to
consider in common whether, and on what conditions, it
is possible to make peace, the object of our interven-
tion will have been gained. And looking at matters from
that point, much has been already won in the mere fact that
M. Thiers—as representing France, rather than any of
her extreme parties, or her Governments of exigency--will
forthwith have interviews with Count Bismarck, in order,
by a frank interchange of views, to ascertain whether a
more formal negotiation would have any prospect of good
results.—Telegraph.