The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-16 00:00:00

THE GERMAN PRESS.

The German papers all maintain that tone of dignified
reserve and just indignation which has marked their
policy from the outbreak of this dispute, and the Cross
Gazette says that in common with other journals it had
cherished a belief that the French people would soon
recover from the excitement into which they have been
thrown by the latest phase of the Spanish question ; but as
this hope, at present, does not seem likely to be realised the
menacing expressions of the Duke de Gramont, in his
reply to Cochery's interpellation, must be looked at in a
different point of view. That the Emperor Napoleon, in
giving Gramont the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, only
sought to obtain greater facilities for disturbing the peace
of Europe, was feared in many quarters when this impor-
tant post was conferred on a statesman who wag
chiefly distinguished for hastiness of temper and
his animosity to the new order of things
in Germany. The confused, presumptuous, and
exciting speech made by the Duke to the representa-
tives of France only serves _to confirm all the apprehen-
sions expressed at the time of his appointment. lie is
not a minister of peace but a servant of personal Govern-
ment, who pauses at no responsibility, and does not shrink
from a repetition of the war of the Spanish Succession, in
direct defiance of the principles which havehitherto guided
the policy of France." The North German Correspondent
observes :—The Governments of Germaaiyare imperatively
bound to repulse with firmness and boldness such un-
heard-of requirements, and it is an encouraging symptom
that in doing so they liave the public opinion of this
country behind tbm. If bounds are not set to these
arrogant pretensions of France, neither Germany nor
any other neighbour of the French will ever be secure
fromthe dictatorial interference of that Government in its
affairs." The Berlin Bourse Gazette holds that the candida-
ture of the Prince was a matter for Spain only to decide.
The honour of Germany must be protected from an
unprovoked attack. The Magdeburg Gazette observes that
Spain is not a dependency of France, and if it should choose
a Prince of Hohenzollern for its King, French intervention
would be an unbearably arrogant pretension, in support of
which a legal title will be sought in vain. The Wescr-
Zeitung says :—" The most favourable interpretation that
can be put on the procedure of the French Cabinet is, that
it has found, in the candidature of the Prince von Hohen-
zollern, a welcome pretence for picking a quarrel with Ger-
many, and initiating a campaign on the Rhine. It must,
therefore be assumed that the Imperial Cabinet
wishes for war with Germany, and regards the
present moment as specially favourable." The
Cologne Gazette has the following :—" The German
papers cannot understand what interest Prussia is sup-
posed to have in placing a Prince of Hohenzollern on the
throne of Charles V., as it seems likely to be, if any-
thing, a disadvantage to the country. They are content
with expressing their disapproval of the arrogant tone of
the French Government, which shews an unparalleled
want of tact if it is not intended to provoke a war, and in
other respects they contemplate the wild and excited be-
haviour of Paris with much of the bearing of civilised
Europeans when an Indian war dance is being per-
formed." The foregoing extracts were, of course, all
written before the declaration of war.

The Pall-Mall Gazette is informed that the Prussian
youth in London counting-houses who are liable to tho
first conscription (of whom there are a great numb* have
received notice to report themselves.

THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.
The Franco-Prussian complicatiori has produced a feel-
ing of gloom and great anxiety in Liverpool. Several
Prussians engaged in business there have been summoned
home. At a banquet given by the Mayor of Liverpool
yesterday to the officers of the Danish and Norwegian
frigates at present lying in the Mersey his worship ex-
pressed the hope that however cloudy the aspect of con-
tinental affairs might be, the flags of the countries repre-
sented at his board might ever be united in friendship.
The sentiment was received with loud applause.