Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-26

Notwithstanding the contradictions in the
cable kilograms in ref, renee TO the negotiations
an progress in Europe. yet they all agree in the
main fact, that the British government, viii n
only few weeks since refused TO interfere be-
tween France and Prussia in any way, has zen
forced by the pressure OF public opinion, CT
other potent reasons, TO make Al effort to Sc
cure peace, andas the hrst step, instructed Lord
Lyons TO announce to the French government
Its desire, aided by Austria and Italy to effect
an armistice, in order that the election. for
members OF the Constituent Assembly may be
held, which duty he has performed by inform
ing the Ministerial Council at Tours OF the de-
sire OF his government The proposals have also
been submitted to King William. Taking the
dispatches together, they seem to clearly es-
tablish that there is prospect OF British inter-
ference, backed positively by Austria and italy;
but as to details they do not agree. The most
probable statement Of the proposed arrange
nent Is that the military situation i to remain
in precisely its present position, Prrssa holding
the ground now occupied by her troops and
maintaining her communications undisturbed.
The French provisional government is to order
an election for members of Constituent AS
sembly, and they are to be permitted to assem-
bic In Paris, and to organize a government
which will have absolute authority to treat
with Prussia, and which she will recognize "a
competent to treat. Alsace and Lorraine will
rot be permitted to elect representatives.. 1t is
net yet known certainly how the propositions
will be received by either OF the belligerents.
The London Times of yesterday has a special
dispatch from Berlin stating that the negotia-
tons have come to naught, owing to the persis-
tence Of Prussia in her demands for French ter
ritory, and this may be correct. But Prussia
will make great mistake il she does not rscog-
nize the fact that q great change has taken
place in the public opinion OF the world since
she entered upon this conflict. Then she had
quite universal sympathy repellirg an I'M
provoked assault made IN the selfish interests of
the NspoleOnic dynasty, but now that France
has thrown over that dynasty and with it the
responsibility for the aggressive war, and has
set up republican institutions, there Is a grow
ing feeling that Prussia should not punish Free
France too severely for the sins of Napoleon.
This feeling has been manifested by the people
of London in their great mass meeting in a way
TO cause the British government to see the ne
cessity for taking some steps in the matter, but
The diff Guilty seems to be in setting about il in
way to make the voice OF England protential.
The London Tunes indicates the diffi Guilty BY
saying that eff England persists in negotiating
for peace she must be ready to stake something
on it," This would involve amount Of ex-
penditure that rather startles the shop-keeplng
spirit of England Of 1870, but the force of public
opinion may compel the government to IL. But
the probabilities are that England will not move
unless she can effect an alliance with other
powers sufficiently strong to be able to state the
terms upon which the war should be ended, and
10 cause their acceptance.