The New York herald., 1870-10-15


cor CanDaisH-The Dsty sG the Neutral
Powers.
While the condition of France becomes moro
and more desperate, while Metz is In her last
agony, and while Paris Is strong only with that
hope which Is begotten Of despair, 1t is grati-
flying to learn that Bismarck has made 1t
known to the leading Powers of Europe that
he is willing to listen to the voice Of the medi-
ator. This intelligence comes from a corre-
spondent at Versailles. There Is no good
reason known to us why this report should be
doubted. II Is our belief that Bismarck has
no desire to prolong the war If satisfactory
peace can be arranged. After reading the ad-
dress of Jules Favre to his colleagues--an
address which had in it more of patriotic senti-
ment than Of wisdom or practical common
sense-we did think that Jules Favre made a
grand mistake, not to use stronger term,
when he refused to accede to an armistice on
the terms which Bismarck, with the full con-
sent of King William, was willing to grant.
Considering the actual situation of affairs, it
does not seem to us that Bismarck was unrea-
sonable when he offered to grant an armistice
Of fifteen or twenty days, thus giving the Con-
stituent Assembly ample time to meet and de-
liberate in Tours, on condition that the provi-
sional government should permit the forces of
Germany to occupy Strasbourg, Phalsbourg
and Toul. The first demand-a demand based
on the assumption that the Co nstituent Assem-
bly, would meet in Paris; that Mont st.
Valerien, or some other fort Of equal impor
tance near Paris, should, in addition to Stras-
bourg Phalsbourg and Toul, be surrendered
was very properly resented by Jules
Favre and wisely abandoned by Bismarck.
But the terms to which Bismarck finally con-
sented, and which we have already stated,
were, in the circumstances, reasonable, honor
able. II Jules Favre had been wiser man
than he is he would, conditionally at lea ct,
have accepted them, and used his influence
with his colleagues to bring about an armstice.
1t was natural for the members OF the pro-
visional government to justify the conduct of
Jules Favre; but if his conduct had been
different its justification by his colleagues
would have been just as natural and perhaps
little more easy.
AS the situation now is France is in
worse plight than ever. Since the famous
interview of the two Ministers Strasbourg has
fallen, and to all appearances nothing but
miracle direct interposition of Providence,
can save either Metz or Paris. The prolonga-
ton of the war is but the prolongation of
destruction, Of misery, of torture, of agony.
Metz is doomed, Paris is doomed, and in
spite of French chivalry, which is entitled to
all praise, every stronghold in the kingdom
| must fall If this war continues. Jules Favre
cannot now obtain easier terms than Bismarck
offered at Fcrrieres. 1t is question whether
he can obtain terms so easy. At the same
| time it is not to be denied, bad as is the pros
| pect for France, bright as is the prospect for
| Prussia, that there are reasons on the side of
Prussia as we'll as on the side of France why
the prolongation of this war should be deemed
undesirable. Paris, although she is bound
in the long run to bow to fate, may
hold out long enough to make the German
armies very uncomfortable In France. The
winter is approaching; aud winter in the
North and Northeast of France is far from
comfortable 10 an army encamped in the open
fields. Then, again, provisions gre becoming
scarce. Six hundred thousand German
soldiers are feeding upon France. While they
feed they destroy. The territory now occupied
is already laid waste 1t is possible for the
German hordes to push further south; but in
proportion as they push south they weaken
their line of communication and expose them
| selves to attack in the rear. We cannot deny
| IL hat
but it is not at all impossible that if this war
is prolonged, it may be the necessity of Prus-
sia to beat from the soil Of France as hasty
and as isnomnious retreat as the soldiers of
France once did beat from the frozen regions
of the North. In any event ii is und enable
that Prussia as well as France has fearfully ex-
hausted herself. 1t will require many years
in both countries to fill up the gaps which
this war has made in men and treasure. A
whole generation of Germans, whole genera
ton of Frenchmen have been swept away.
Prussia-the whole OF Germany, in fact-has
incurred debt which will weigh heavily upon
them for ages to come. 1t is the same with
;. France. In addition to all this the civilized
J world cries out loudly against the continu ance
, of the war. 1t has lasted long enough.
France is sufficiently humiliated. Prussia has
won sufficient glory. AL these things taken
into account, it is gratifying to know that
Bismarck has expressed himself as willing tc
, entertain proposals from the grea! Powers.
Again we must repeat, whatever be the
truth of this report, the door seems to be opcr
for Intervention. II Prussia is willing to
make peace France ought too b. 0as hing