The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-13 00:00:00

distance, and •who shall say that it will be averted?
Great curiosity will prevail to hear what the
Emperor NAPOLEON will say on the 15th, it being
generally believed that on that occasion he will
further expound his views concerning the rectifica-
tion of the frontier ; and, indeed, in a great measure
' announce his future policy, thus completing the
celebrated speech he made at the commencement of
the German War. We all know that the EMPEROR
could have contrived to keep out of this affair
altogether if he had so desired it, and made
it appear as if France did not seek any gain
from the hostilities that had lately occurred.
It is true that some disappointment had been
manifested by the French people at the apparently
tame figure they were cutting before the rest of
Europe ; but this sentiment had pretty well sub-
sided before the news of this demand for the rectifi-
cation of frontiers bad taken us by surprise, and
spread consternation among the capitals of Europe.
We know now that there can be no drawing back on
the part of the French Government, and that coute
qui coute they must go on and carry their venture
to a successful issue whether by the negotiations of
peace or the accessories of war.

It may yet be that we are to witness a renewal of
hostilities, which, carried on in a different direction,
will be far more portentous than the one which has
shaken the German Empire to its foundation, and in
a short space of time made such havoc among the
population of the fatherland.
A war with France would be very different from a
war with Austria and the minor States, but we
question whether BISMARCK will not forget all these
prudential notions in the wild idea of remaining
master of the situation, and of keeping Prussia in
the ascendant. If it was intended that the French
request should meet with acquiescence it would have
been far wiser to have intimated to the Cham-
bers that some such intention was entertained,
instead of making a vain boast that could not be
substantiated by time and experience.
It is not likely, if we are to judge from appear-
ances, that a very ready acquiescence will be ac-
corded to the French demands. Even if the Ber-
lin Government were sitting, however, to let pru-
dence rule the day, they would have a hard task to
withstand the opposition that they would meet with
at home, and this would be a bad time to
make the dangerous experiment of handing
over German territory to a stranger. The
Prussians are elated with victory, and wild at
the thoughts of the immense territory that their
SOVEREIGN rules over, and they will not tamely
endure to see a part of it wrenched from their grasp,
with no apparent reason for such a sacrifice that
they can at all appreciate or understand. We may
then with reason expect a war to take place between
France and Prussia. This will be, in many respects,
a European calamity, and for all that will ensue
there is only one Power to blame, and that is
Prussia. The cause of spoliation on which she
started a few years ago has been pursued by her
with a zeal worthy of a better cause,
and it has led her on to success, but that success
may hereafter prove to be as rotten as the fruit on
the shores of the Dead Sea. Before this year is
out there may be mourning and lamentation in
Berlin, and many may bitterly regret the want of
faith that has characterised the KING and his ad- 1
visers. France has been in a manner forced to in-
terpose and insist on these places being given to
her in order to maintain the balance of power, but
such a necessity could not have arisen had Prussia
allowed things to remain as they were a
few years ago. No one can safely predict the
consequences of beginning a struggle of this sort
or rightly define the responsibilites of that nation
which goes out of its way to make a disturbance in
the existing order of things, for the originator of
the evil cannot always check its course.