The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-06 00:00:00

and topush on to extremities, and then to find them-
selves engaged in a war with France. For some
time past the French have been getting very
tired of the Prussian policy, they have
been greatly indignant at the treachery dis-
played in many recent acts, and espe-
cially have they been scandalised with the
Danish affair. It is true that the idea of war, at
present, is one very inimical to the people of France,
because they are beginning to profit by those fin-
, provements and undertakings which can only
flourish in peace ; but still, if the Government of
Prussia, flushed with the pride of victory were to
be obtuse and perverse, the excitement and enthu-
siasm of the French would soon be aroused. As
might be expected great excitement has been caused
in Paris by the announcement in the Moniteur,
and many signs of rejoicing have appeared in
honour of the peace. It was stated that up to three
yesterday afternoon no answer had been received
to the EMPEROR'S proposal for an armistice, either
from Florence or Berlin ; but though it is not yet
decided upon, it is not considered likely that a re-
fusal will be met with. " France will," say the
French journals, " call upon England and Russia to
participate in her efforts for the definitive conclu-
sion of peace." After all the fracas, and all the
stratagems are over, it is curious to notice that this
great question will be settled through the mediation
of France, and very much after the manner that
the French EMPEROR proposed at the commence-
, ment of the affair. Of course Austria will appear
to great disadvantage compared to the position she
held a few months back, but still the presiding
power will be the same, and after what has occurred
the French EMPEROR can interfere with more show
of reason than before. It is one thing to endeavour
to bring two great Powers to terms who are-sup-
posed to be equal, and another to leave a crushed
and defeated ally to the mercy of a cruel and
unscrupulous adversary. For France to allow
Prussia to have her own way now, will be
to hand over the chief authority and sway
in Germany to her, and this will never be
permitted by so bold and determined a ruler as the
French EMPEROR. Events have proved the correct-
ness in judgment of those who blamed the Austrian
Government for their haste to begin the war, and
their extreme tardiness when it had really begun.
It is quite impossible to divine their motives; but
it certainly seems to us that they allowed oppor-
tunity after opportunity to pass by, and thus the
enemy gained a position, and secured advantages
they were ready enough to make the most
of. In fact, the conduct of the three Powers
engaged in this war has been open to cen-
sure. The Austrians persisted in provoking the war,
and would not agree to the Conference ; the
Italians have compromised themselves by their
joining with the Prussians ; and as for the Prus-
sians themselves they have forfeited all claim to re-
spect and confidence ; and whatever befalls them
at the hands of the French, now or hereafter, will
be richly deserved by them. It is long since Eu-
rope was so scandalised by the exhibition of ty-
ranny and oppression as it has been of late by this
unruly and unscrupulous Power.