The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-29

treaty affair does certainly suggest the idea Of
roguery. It places both Bismarck and Napo-
leon in bad light. Their falling out has
opened the eyes Of the world but particularly
the eyes of Europe to the fact that two men
did wickedly conspire against the welfare Of
certain nations, against right and justice and
in favor of oppression and wrong. 1t is now
no longer doubtful that the obnoxious propo-
sal was formally made by Napoleon to Bis
marck The proposed treaty has been
religiously preserved by Bismarck. 1t is now
to be seen In the War Office at Berlin.
Prussia has told us that such was the fact. A
correspondent Of the Independence Beige has
seen the original document in the handwriting
of the Count Benedict, lato French Minister
to the Court Of King William. 1t is said that
Napoleon has repeatedly demanded the docu-
ment, which Prussia has persistently refused
to give up. This secret proposal on the part
of France to Prussia gives an entirely new
| aspect to the war situation. bL
We are not of those who blame Napoleon
alone in this matter. 1t is not conceivable that
Napoleon would, without FIRST sounding Count
Bismarck. send any such document to Berlin.
AS we have said before, the proposed treaty
owes its origin to the Biarritz meeting, when
the two widest statesmen of the day tried to
reshape the world and to overreach each
other. Every word in the obnoxious docu-
ment must have been spoken at Biar
| ritz. Bismarck, It is not impossible,
was more suggestive than Napoleon. The
Prime Minister has got the better of the
Emperor; but success neither justiies nor
mitigates the villany. 1t is undeniable, how
ever, that Bismarck has outwitted Napoleon
and that the publication of this document by
the London Times has proved to Prussia as
great gain as great victory on the battle
field. Morally Prussia has won already. We
must repeat this document proves that while
Napoleon was foolish enough to make Bis
marck was not unwilling to listen to wicked
proposals regarding the extinction of king
doms, the partition of territory and the recon-
struction, in their own interests, of the map of
Europe. But the cunning of Bismarck has
proved too much for the astuteness of Napo-
leon. The handwriting of Benedict convicts
Napoleon. Bismarck may be just as bad as
Napoleon, but proof is wanting to convict him.
The publication Of this document has, as we
have said, given an entirely new aspect to the
war situation. 1t makes it next to impossible
for US to think that the war, when it does
begin. will be confined to France and Prussia
Every one Of the Powers, great and small, sees
that France and Prussia have assumed po-
stions which entitle them to be regarded as
common enemies. The general feeling through
out Europe, 80 far as we can gather it, is
against France. 1t is felt and confessed every
where that the pretext seized upon by Napo-
leon for declaring war Is most miserable and
most unjustiiable 1t is not yet safe to say
how the various Powers may finally decide to
act. We have conflicting rumors regarding
Denmark. The neutrality Of Denmark will be
an immense gain to Prussia, mighty him
drance to France. Denmark on the side of
France would be equal TO an army of four or
FIVE hundred thousand men. The latest
authentic report is that Denmark, yield
ing to the advice Of Great Britain,
has decided to be neutral; but cable
despatch which we print this morning
has it that Prince Napoleon has secretly set
out for Copenhagen. Denmark is in a most
critical condition. Her statesmen see that no
gain can result from joining France, much as
they are disposed to give Prussia blow but
the people generally, who are less given to re-
fleet on consequences, think only of revenge.
Willingly or unwilling Denmark may yet play
most important part in the war. Russia
again is doubtful. Naturally she is Prussian
rather than French in sympathy. This pro-
posed treaty must have seriously annoyed the
Gear and his Ministers, and Napoleon must be
specially blamed. But Russia, according to
accounts which we publish this morning, is
becoming a little jealous of Prussan influence
on the Baltic. 1t is said to be the feeling of
some of her statesmen that Prussia must be
checked, otherwise she will make the Baltic a
| Prussian lake. This sentiment is good for Ma
poleon We do not make much of the report
that Russia is concentrating large bodies of
men in her Polish territory, for the simple
reason that such Is necessary precaution to
hold in check the enthusiasm Of the Poles, who
warmly sympathize with France But so
large force as Russia is said to be concen-
trating in Poland, and close to the Prussian
frontier, means that Russia Is prepared to act,
and to act to some purpose, if her interests re-
quire her to draw the sword. Austria is evil
IDENTIFY at her wits end. She knows not what
to do She has a big trouble to settle with
Prussia. She has big trouble also to settle
with France. France laid her low In $4,000.
Prussia felled her to the earth in 1866. But
Austria feels herself placed on the horns of a
dangerous dilemma. If she takes the side Of
Prussia she is in danger of losing Hungary
which is French in sympathy. II she takes
!, the side of France she is almost certain to