The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-19 00:00:00

OUR COTEMPORARIES—This Morning

M. JU FAVRE'S &BOMAR.

The Times considers that M. Foyle's present languag
justifies the conclusion that no effort will be wanting on
his part to secure peace, if ttliCan be obtained with-
out dishonour; but it proves more than this, for
it shews that he now recognises the truth that
France is responsible for the vices and crimes of the Im-
perial regime, and may consent without dishonour—nay,
with the highest honour—to pay the penalties justly due
in consequence. M. Favre seeks an interview with Couht
Bismarck, and he frankly explains that he will meet
the Chancellor of the Confederation prepared-to acitnoep
ledge "the obligations of France to repair in a measure of
justice the ill the Imperial Government" did to Ger-
many. It is possible that the fair promise of Peace, thus
opening before our eyes may prove abortivt. For
a moment it seems as if the triumph of destru :oft.-vrere
to be arrested, that the home of the arts and e life
were to be spared the visitation of war's "0, expe-
riences ; but the prospect may immediately dor over
again, and the city be left enwrapped in fiiit and
encircled in blood. The King of Prussia has at every step
given evidence of that spirit of simple piety which ani-
mates his breast, and the Crown Prince, while most vic-
torious in war; has professed his ardent love of peace. We
shall not, continues the Times, be easily persuaded that
peace is impossible or will not be secured. Something must
in any case be attained by the interview between M.
Favre and the Chancellor of the Confederation. The
exact points for which the war is to be continued, if it
should be continued, must be defined. The terms ou
which the King will insist as the just and necessary
conditions of peace must be stated. The issues on which
negotiations may be broken off will be made clear.

The Telegraph thinks that there is yet life in the nego-
tiations which have been passing between the belligerent
nations. The difference between the negotiators—thus
apparently dead-locked—is strongly indicated in the firm
and dignified circular which M. Jul es Favre issued on Satur-
day to the representatives of France abroad ; and
it is ominous. Germany is perfectly ready to go
on fighting, and France is far less ready. More-
over, the impending fate both of Metz and of
Strasburg loads the balance of destiny heavily
Against _the vanquished country ; and possibly
Count Bismarck is waiting for important news from these
two points. It is equally possible that he may have a policy
of his own—that he maybe meditating adroit combinations
which at a happy hour will make Europe admire hiss saga-
3ity, and show how the knot may be untied without the fatal
sword-edge of Moltke. But the French nation, face to
face with its victors, must for itself decide upon the
course to be adopted. Even if Germany were to
be content with the razing of the fortresses of
Metz and Sti asburg, that condition of peace,
which has now been offered, is in contraven-
tion of M. Favre's first unlucky defiance ; so that
rather than plunge France deeper into the abyss of war,
her truest friends will be those who candevise some middle
term that may satisfy the exacting demands of both sides,
and terminate a struggle which the whole world regards
with horror and dismay.