The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-12 00:00:00

THE SUN.

LONDC.N, SATURDAY, OCT. 12, 1881.

Another somewhat remarkable pamphlet has
appeared in Paris. We have not yet seen it, but
Galignani tells us that it discusses political ques-
tions in a somewhat dogmatical tone ; speaks of the
friendly feelings of France towards Germany, and
then declares that it will not be inconvenient now
to publish a letter from the EMPEROR to King
WILLIAM, to which no date is affixed, but which
must have followed shortly on the accession of the
KING. The author of the pamphlet declares that
" a durable peace may be now founded by the sin-
cere entry of Prussia into the Western alliance.
To do so it is only necessary, Ist. To recognise the
King of ITALY as France, England, &c., have done.
2. To vote with France and England for the union
of the Roman Principalities in the present Con-
ferences ; and 3. To contract with France a treaty
of commerce as France has done with England.
The author develops the three questions ; and then,
after examining all the influences which may
weigh on Germany, he makes use of this some-
what singular phrase, ' French policy is like
the Sphinx ; happy are they who can divine it."
Tha author, however, thinks himself qualified to
be the CEDIPns to the Sphinx, for he afterwards
declares that the sacred soil of the great nation
(France) extends between the Alps, the Rhine, the
Pyrenees, and the sea. To sum up, the author,
under a form which dissembles nothing, offers to
King WILLIAM the Crown of Germany in exchange
for the Rhenish provinces ceded to France.

The letter itself is, however, of course, the
chief point of interest. Oar Parisian contempo-
rary, indeed, declines to guarantee its authenticity;
but either that supposition, or the contrary, are
alike perplexing. If the letter were furnished to
the author, it implicates the Government with
the contents of the whole pamphlet, the Rhine
included. If the letter were surreptitiously ob-
tained the Government has the means to trace
it ; or, at least, to punish severely the man who
dared to publish a personal letter of the EM-
PEItOR'S without leave. If, again, it were not
genuine every Paris bookseller well knows the
penalties to which he is liable for
publishing
false news. Dare any writer in Parr concoct a
letter in the EMPEROR'S name ? And if the
impos-
ture were received from another, still the law
could equally lay hold of the unfortunate author
and publisher; for it was their daty to have in-
quired before publishing it. Thus the chances of
authenticity are very strong, so far as the hazards
of imposture can make them so.
It is perhaps, however, less the contents of the
leiter than the sanction which its association
with the sentiments of the pamphlet seems to lend
to the latter, which is the most serious point. The
practical business of the letter is to announce to
the King. of PRUSSIA that the EMPEROR is devoted
to peace and order. and therefore accepts with
pleasure the position of mediator in the dispute
between Denmark and Germany. Its avowed object
is fully explained in the following paragraph-
-4: I have therefore thought," writes the presumed
imperial penman, "that I act as a loyal sovereign,
who feels areal interest in your Crown, in accept-
ing from Denmark an amicable mediation in her dif-
ference with the Ge
Majesty the King
of rmanic Confederation. His
DENMARK is disposed to give
all satisfaction compatiblewith his honour, which
may content the Diet. I myself can guarantee his