New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-09-16
FRENCH PROPOSALS OF PEACE.
When the devil was sick,
The devil a monk would be;
When the devil got well,
The devil a monk was he"

The devil monk he
To the EditOr OF The tribune.
SIR: The so-caled Republican Government
of France is very profuse in its pacific declarations 1t
promises TO abolish its standing army; never to covet
again the Rhensh Provinces to pay to Germany rea-
sonable indemnity TO give certain guarantees for future
good behavior provided these guarantees do not in
cude cession Of French territory In return, IL de-
mands that the Germans shall at once quit French soil,
and it appeals to all mankind for sympathy and support
The AngloAmerican press, deeply moved by such mag
nanmty Of the conquered at once changes 'front.' and
transfers its sympathy the French side with the same
facility that the French people display when they trans
fer their allegiance from one Government or one MASTER
another Let examine the Suppose that Louis
Napoleon, instead Of surrenderng himself prisoner OF
the battle of Sedan had offered the peace
propositions, would Germany have been justified IN ac-
cepting theml All the world would have rdisuled the
Stiffness Of such Transaction and the Anglo-American
press would have rng with expressions OF scorn and
contempt for the stupid Dutchmen" Bismarck with
the applause Of every OF common sense, would have
rejected such peace propositions OF Louis Napoleon with
the proper remark: We doubt yOur sincerity In offering
the same ana your aby 10 Keep the same ana we can
not loosen our grasp on the faith Of such msy promises
The with the socaed Republican Government is
precisely the same, for the following reasons:
l. The gentlemen who pass az present for the French
nor actual power 10 act Tor france Elevated az mo-
nent general disorder by Partisan mob, they have
no other basis but the doubtful good viii Of Rochefors
myrmidons, and the next popular excitement OF the
1ckle Parisans will probable anniilate them. These
much right speak and to act for the French people
the Three TailOrs in TOOleyst had 10 proclaim them
selves the people Of England.
z. Jules TaVre, the head Of this mushroom Govern
ment, peIsstently denounced Louis Napoleon In the
Corps Lcgsatf for permitting the victory Of SadOwa,
that Is opposing the OF German uuica
ton II was he who rode upon the waves OF popular
by Joining nursing the camOr for the Rhenish
frontier He opposed the present declaration Of not
because il unjust but because France not prop
ery prepared for It, And lately his easy virtue yielded
completely TO popular pressure three weeks ago lac pro-
claimed IN the Corps L6gisatf War to the bitter end
even under NapOleOuic auspices The Germans cannot
uust ms pacinc prOesiat1Ons WIRING nom him by fear
ana defeat 30 with his colleagues In the Government;
80 with Victor Hugo.
B. They promise to pay "A reasonable indemnify Three
tnotsahd millions Of francs Tor SO0GOOOG would prOba-
py DC CONSIDERED an eNtravagant demand. Bnt even
sueh sum would hardly the enormous losses
tahcu Dy Germany by this unjust war of French making
Napoleon L. ana Louis XiN.-both greatly admired by
every reorganization they oyerfan Germany knew
wen now 10 ftlmDurse themselves, and Germany will
pObaby 40 the same, without asking permission of
MessTs. jules Favre d Co. e F "
They PROMISE To give guarantees for future good he
Ia ior, PROVIDED sncf guarantees not Include Cos
sion Of French territory other guarantees can they
gvef They promise To dismantb ali In, f,rtrcsse in
Alsace and Lorraine and will even graciouslv Kermit
the Germans TO occupy Metz and StrassbonfO f,r .
limited period. Germany will probably understn,d
that disanted ortresses may In Of time he re-
paired ana France would certainly restore these menac
ing strOn ghOlds, she would feel strong enob
again disregard the present treaty she Las disre
ginded the treaties Of 1915. They proise ahoiish