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

THE FRENCH PRESS ON PEACE.

The Constitutionnel says that the national ideas are too
advanced to make their honour depend on some kilometres
of frontier or some millions of inhabitants. M. Jules
Favre takes a higher tone, and rests his objection to the
cession of Alsace and Lorraine on the refusal to alloy,
populations tq decide on their destiny. Peace negotiations
have become with the French Government more a ques
tion of political morality than of safety. At the same
time Prussia is not likely to change her views at a time
when their furtherance may serve her interests. If the
war has caused serious distress in France, the Constitution'
net rejoices that the country is able to make so firm
stand against the encroachments of the enemy.
The Patrie considers what France ought to do in the
"event of mediation being offered, and thinks no opposition
should be made if the proposed conditions of peace
are honourable, and impose no humiliating concessions.
France holds a higher position at present than she did on
the morrow of the capitulation of Sedan, for she has the
right to say that she has gloriously continued the struggle,
and by the defence of Paris has removed the prestige that
has surrounded the King of Prussia through his suceessive
victories. Europe may treat of peace, then, but first of all
let it be remembered that France does not ask for peace :
but she may, perhaps, accept it. Speaking of the inter-
vention of foreign Powers, the Patrie says that England
may probably render some assistance to the French in the
way of mediation, and that a coolness seems to exist
between the Cabinet of St. James and the head-quarters
at Versailles. The recent complaint, which the Prussian
Government have made against the Belgian press, are
also an indirect attack on England, who is the
protector of Belgium, and the upholder of the
rights of the press. At any rate the English
must recognise the dangerous symptoms of German
absolutism which threaten them in the future no less than
their allies, and these considerations must have some
weight in the councils of Europe.
The Siecle asks how much longer they are going to
wait for foreign intervention instead of resolving to save
themselves. One of the causes of the present disasters
has been the expectation that other nations would come
to the assistance of France. England, Austria, Russia,
and America have been alternately cited as ready to
but nothing has been done. It must be seen that agree-
ment is impossible between France, who will not destroy
herself, and Prussia, who forces a shameful peace 11Ple°
her. The Si&le believes that a glorious peace is the only
one possible, and that the peace must be conquered,
while Germany will repent having refused the terms
which were offered to her.

The Journal d'lndre et Loire says that the dismantling
of their fortresses of Alsace and Lorraine. and the wile'
tive guarantee of the Powers to prevent the renewal of
the war between the belligerents, are the chief pointe.ef,
the proposition which England dares to inaugurate, an
which stands a good chance of being refused. It declaim
that such a proposal must be discussed with arms in the
hand, and not diplomatically or in writing. The only
way to settle affairs will be to make a great national effort,
and while acknowledging the goodwill of the several
Powers in seeking to facilitate the conclusion of peace,
the French people must rely upon themselves alone to
settle the conditions of a peace which so greatly concert
their interests and honour.