The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-15 00:00:00

THE FRENCH PRESS ON THE CRISIS.

The Soir maintains, in spite of contrary announcements,
that negotiations respecting an armistice are being con-
tinued, but not the less it would counsel the people not to
be deceived by any illusory hopes of their issue. Bismarck'
is intoxicated with success; and his demands from hence-
forth will have no limits. All these attempts will resnit

-In nothing. The diplomatic world may persevere in its
task if it will, but we will continue our works of defence
without drawing breath, for safety depends on the adop,
Lion of this course,. It is absolutely decided that the
Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors shall
remain in Paris. but will their presenos in Paris preserve
the capital from the horrors of a bombardment If we
' had before us a humane and civilised enemy there would
be no doubt that it would, but the conqueror Bismarck,
he who has sworn to carry out the unity of Germany by
blood and iron ; he who has burned the town of Stras-
burg ; is not the man to draw back for such things.
The Journal des Debats cannot speak in terms of too
much praise respecting the conduct of that illustrious
statesman M. Thiers. It trusts that all will imitate his
example, and give a cordial support to the men who are
charged with the defence of tne country.
The Gazette de la France speaks in the most eulogistic
manner of the course pursued by M. Thiers, and says that'
he Is the statesman who spoke the most energetically
against the warlike policy of Napoleon, and that the pre-
cedent of his famous speech will tend greatly to strengthen
his influence with the foreign rowers, to whom his mis-
sion is accredited.

The France, while it approves of the mission, repeats
its warning that the, success of the venture must depend
on the resistance that is made by Paris.

The Figaro says that the notion of peace during the
last few days resembles one of the will of the wisps
which alternately comes near and goes off in the night.
Hopes had been entertained that Prussia, in the face of a
Revolution which had made an example of the author of
the war, would not desire to prolong the effusion of blood
among the two nations, but this philantrophio illusion has
been dispelled.
The Temps declares that if the misfortunes of France
have excited a lively sympathy throughout the world, if
foreign Governments are suspicious of the increasing
power of Prussia, no sign has yet been visible of a deter-
mination to act in an effective manner in favour of
France, The great Powers of Europe are not in a hurry
to follow the example of those States which have
recognised the French Republic. Not only have they
come to no decision respecting the intervention, but they
do not seem to think the moment has come for them to
offer their mediation.

The Reveil maintains that it is a mockery to put any
faith in diplomacy, and to count upon interesting kings
as to the safety of France and the preservation of her in-
tegrity. "If imbeciles and cowards talk of armistices
and arrangements," it exclaims, " let us give them up to
martial law as traitors." There can be no peace and no
treaty for a Republic while the country is invaded, until
victory has effaced the traces of defeat, and the debt of
blood has been paid.
The Journal de Paris calls attention to threats
which are used by the press of Germany which has
declared that Germany waged war against the French
people and not against the Empire. The guarantees
upon which they insist are, the annexation of Alsace and
Lorraine to Prussia. Prussia requires, in fact, that
France should be humiliated, and that Germany should
be the predominant power in Europe. •
The Departmental Press also considers the state of
affairs with respect to mediation.
The Phare de la Loire thinks that the Diplomatic inter-
vention of the United States will be of considerable im-
portance.

The Phare believes that on the question of peace the
Government should consult the nation. A short truce
might be made and a national assembly be called together
whith might sanction, in the name of the nation, the
debating of the Treaty of Peace in a Congress.
The journal de .Rouen is hopeful as to the establishment
of peace, and the Memorial d'Amiens augurs well from the
mission of M. Thiers.

With regard to the goodwill which is more or less dis-
played by the Foreign Powers towards the intervention,
the .316morial de Lille observes that the greatest obstacle
to the establishment of a Conference and the discussion of
peace proposals is the Queen of England. It adds that it is
strange to see such an influence exerted in a country like
England, which boasts of its political regime and of the
effete power of royalty at the present day,
The Courrier de Lyon says that, happier than Lyons,
Paris, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and St. Etienne have preserved
the tricolour flag, which is the symbol of order and
liberty, and of so many glorious associations.
The Gironde inquires what are the German people
about, and replies that the perversion of the sense of
moral right is a judgment which falls on a nation that re-
signs itself to the Government of a despot. Affer having
been the dupe of Bismarck it has become his accomplice.
This soldier people have become so infatuated with their
arrogance that they have burned libraries, and fired on
one of the chefs d'oeuvres of Christian art. If civilisation
which they profess to spread received such men as its
apostles, she might hide her head in shame, for the world
would no longer belong to her.