The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-12 00:00:00

MEDIATION.

The Patrie, now published at Poitiers, has an article on
foreign mediation. Since the military reverses of France
rendered the invasion of French soil inevitable, and
weakened the confidence of the nation in the power of
its arms, great hopes have, it says, been entertained of an
intervention of the neutral powers, which should save the
honour of France and maintain her territorial integrity.
This, thinks the Patric, was a mischievous illusion. The
country must learn that it can depend on no
one but itself for its salvation. M. Thiers's
mission ,is now ended, but though it may be
said that it has been in one sense, successful in
enlightening foreign governments as to the state of feeling
in France, he has not obtained any mediation direct or
indirect, and indeed had no power to do so. Without
aecompanying him on his journey, it is easy to tell the
disposition of Europe towards France. The smaller
powers, like Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Switzer-
land, allies or friends of Fraoce, have remained faithful to
her in adversity, and, could they unite their forces, might
befriend her more actively, but separately they are power-
less. Of the three great poivers who could give other than
moral aid, England is the most interested in the
speedy restoration of peace. Her commerce suffers, and
the Eastern question threatens to reappear. The people,
too, favour France, and their frequent meetings prove
that they do not understand leaving a valuable ally to
perish unaided. But the Whig Cabinet, which directs
affairs, is openly hostile, and the Queen, influenced by
her family relations, is entirely on the side of Prussia.
The English Cabinet is blinded by a mean jealousy, and
rejoices in the ruin o f French influence and the humi.ia-
tion of a rival whose prestige has always wounded English
pride. Therefore, unless, which is improbable, public
opinion should grow strong enough to overthrow the present
Cabinet, France must not reckon on English aiij.
The Vienna Cabinet, preoccupied by the difficult task of
reorganising the Empire, encumbered in its finances, and
still suffering from the disasters inflicted by Prussia, is
condemned to neutrality for some time to come. May
we count upon Russia? For a moment it was thought so,
but M. Thiers, though well received by the Emperor
Alexander and his Minister, brought back from St.
Petersburg the conviction that the Russian Government,
bound to Prussia by a secret treaty, sends its wishes to
France and its soldiers to the Pruth. The three great
Powers are not displeased to see France and Prussia
engaged in mutual extermination; but it is easy to guess
the time when they will intervene. They will mediate
when Paris has either capitulated, or, assisted by all the
forces of France, has compelled the Prussian army, be-
tween two fires, to raise the seige. Then they will inter
vene to moderate the demands of the conqueror, which-
ever it may be. Till then, France need look for no other
assistance than is found in the unity and energy of her
people.

The Prince of Joinville intends to come forward as
candidate in the Department of the Haute Marne.

The, arrest of M. Lutz, which only lasted a day, is attri-
buted to the fact of his having relations in Germany and
more particularly in Prussia.
The number of foreigners of all nations who have taken
refuge in Brussels from France is estimated at 350,000
persons.

The injuries sustained by the North of France Railway
from the war are now estimated at one million sterling.
Those sustained by the East of France Railway are still
more considerable.
The Republic has not been accepted in some of the
French towns. At Tourcoing, Roubaix, and Armentieres
the municipalities have refused to declare a Republic ; and
a similar hostility to the new form of Government pre-
vails in other places.
It is said to be known as a positive fact in Berlin that
Napoleon during the Crimean War stopped short at the
capture of Sebastopol, contrary to the wish of England,
and refused to continue the war, because he required as
compensation a rectification of frontiers on the side of the
Rhine and of Belgium, which England naturally ob-
jected to.

A well-known romantic writer, who is a great sports-
man, and very familiar with the paths and intricacies of
the forest of Orleans, on the brink of which he has pro-
perty, is organizing a free corps, composed of practised
shots, gamekeepers, and poachers, at whose head he hopes
to do some service should the Prussians risk themselves in

that region,

At the time of the departure of the last balloon a
Blanquiste manifestation in Paris was expected; but it
was thought that the energetic conduct of the people
would prevent its assuming A formidable character.
All the workshops of machine makers at Paris have
been converted into arsenals. As M. Gambetta says in
his proclamation, women are employed in making cart-
ridges. Hundreds of them are at work in huts on the
Champ de Mars.

The Prussian official journal reports that the restorlion
of the blown-up bridges on the way to Paris, especially
between La Ferte and Meaux has removed the last
hindrance to the conveyance of parks of siege artillery.
Everything has now left Berlin, and the attack on the
outworks may be immediately expected.
In the Place of the Pantheon, and several other squares
in Paris, the paving stones are being taken up, because
they will if left explode shells which may strike them.
The windows of the Louvre and other public edifices are
being filled wil h sand bags.
A German paper says that the Duke of Nassau has not
been with the German army, and therefore could not have
been shot, according to the general, and apparently well-
authenticated report.
The Liberte makes an important statement. It is to the
effect that Marshal Bazaine has been offered the command
in chief of the armies of France, on condition that he will
recognise and sustain the Republic, or at least, consent to
the Constituent Assembly giving an unbiassed decision on
the future Government of the country.
Many French journals argue in favour of an advance
upon Metz by the new armies. The Siècle says that no
force can be got together sufficient to deal with the im-
mense host round Paris. But it is quite possible for
Bazaine's army, and the new levies together to beat the
force around Metz, and the attempt ought to be made at
once.

The arrest of General Mazure, according to the
Eclaireur, a St. Etienne paper, was not effected without
difficulty. The hotel in the Rue de Bourbon was first
surrounded, but proved to be in course of repair, and,
consequently, empty.. The troops then marched to the
Fort de la Vitriolerie, but they were informed by some
citiizens who had traced the General, that he
was in the barracks at Bissnel. The barracks were
therefore surrounded, and the soldiers looking out of the
windows cried " Vive la Garde Nationale !" They threw
out papers on which were written "Do not look elsewhere;
he is here." The door was broken open, but the officers of
the army refused to admit the National Guard. After par-
leying for an hour the officers yielded to the order of the pre-
fect and a regular warrunt of arrest. The guardwent in with