The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-16 00:00:00

WAR TOPICS.

In looking over several hundred exchanges every day,
we cannot help seeing how largely the American press
sympathises with the Germans in their struggle against
the French Emperor. Nearly all the leading journals of
the country—those which control public opinion and
express themselves according to their convictions—have
taken ground against the pretensions of Napoleon his
aggressive designs and policy of interference.
re would not by any means justify, or attempt to
justify, Prussia for the way in which she treated Den-
mark, violated her treaty in reference to Schleswig-Hol-
stein, and imposed her power upon Frankfort. The action
of Bismarck's Government has at times been exceedingly
high-handed and arbitrary, in regard to foreign policy as
well as internal administration. But, notwithstanding
these things, Germany deserves the moral support of the
world in resisting the aggressions and interference of the
French Emperor. _ _ _

Although the steamships from German ports to Ame-
rica have all been stopped, on account of the war, thee
will be no great difficulty about Americans 'in Germany
returning to this country if they desire to do so. The
English steamships have not all yet been withdrawn
from the ports on the NOrth Sea and the Baltic. Ham-
burg, for example, was still open at latest advices. The
ports of Holland may easily be reached, and there the
traveller can take ship for England and thence for
America. Or, again, the American resident in Germany
may turn his course southward till he reach Genoa or
Leghorn c n the Mediterranean, or Venice or Trieste on
the Adriatic and at either of these ports he will find steam-
shipA running to England..
The French Minister of War has informed the press of
Paris that he would only admit newspaper correspondents
to the army on condition that they would not print any-
thing that was untrue. Thisis admirable ground to take,
and we must admire General Le Bceuf fur his courage in
taking it. The War Minister has recently explained the
meaning of his remark by an order forbidding the publica-
tion in any way of any account of the movements of the
French army or navy. What could be more delicately
sarcastic than this ?

It will be a suprising thing if the Republican and anti-
Napoleonic parties of France do not find an opportunity
of action before the close of the present war. The fact
that all parties—excepting M. 'Tiers—have rushed wildly
into the war-at the present crisis, is no more a proof of
the inherent strength of the Napoleonic dynasty than
the . plebisciturn, was. In case of a short war, with
A great French defeat, the empire would certainly
be destroyed. In case of a long war, with varying
fortunes, we may expect to see the Imperial throne totter
to its fall. Then for the Republic !
_

. One of our city contemporaries thinks that Napoleon
has been influenced in making war by the short crops of
France this year, and that, after he has conquered
Prussia, he will demand from her an immense contribu-
tion of brea,dstuffs. This is the very ablest view of the
war question we have yet seen. " Feed or fight," said
Red Cloud to the authorities at Washington a few
weeks ago.
The present war must add largely to the already
gigantic debt of France. As soon as war was declared
the Minister of Finance asked for a supplemental credit
of 500,000,000 f., and this is likely to be but a small part
of what will be needed. The debt of Prussia is very
the smallcoir of o.ny of the Great Powers of
Europe.—New York Tribune.