The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-13

refuse the war will be continued and spread,
probably, aud will become one of monarchy
and absolutist ideas against republication,
the sentiments of the age and the masses OF
the people. The people of Germany even
would turn against him, and his crown
might not be worth years purchase. The
elements of revolution are let loose and all
the ideas of modern progress are in conflict
with those of the past. Concession and
magnanimity may allay or direct this storm.
Monarchcal pride and obstinacy would pro-
badly only increase its fury, and in the end
must prove powerless against the progressive
and enlightened sentiments OF the age.
The Situation in Europe-War, Peace and
Political Movements.
The latest kilograms from London, Paris
and Berlin do not indicate any important
change in the condition of affairs since the
Prussian movement on Paris was seriously
begun. The German troops were said to be
yesterday within twenty miles of the CAPT
tai, and to have halted in their march, at the
special request of Bismarck, in order to
obtain time for considering proposals for an
armistice, submitted and urged by the
forcements are constantly pouring into Paris,
twenty thousand volunteers having left Mar
settles for the capital last Sunday. The pro-
visional government has directed that the sea-
ports of Havre, Marseilles, Dunkirk, &C., be
placed in a state of defence. The fortresses of
Metz, Strasbourg, Toul, Montmedy and Yer
dun are still held by French garrisons,
having so far repealed all the assaults of the
besiegers. Marshal Bazaine does not confine his
operations to mere defensive warfare, but is
constantly making vigorous sallies upon the
German troops surrounding his position. 1t was
officially stated in Paris yesterday that Toul was
attacked by the Germans at five o'clock on
Saturday morning, the fight lasting till nine
o'clock in the evening, and that the assailants
were repulsed with loss of ten thousand men.
A similar attack on Montmedy was also
repulsed on Thursday. Assuming these re-
ports to be even partially true, the French
arms would appear to be in less desperate
condition than has been generally imagined
for some weeks past.
Now as to the peace movements. 1t is
reported from Paris that the hope Of sue
cessful negotiations for peace is so strong
that the projected removal of the seat of gov
eminent to Tours has been indefinitely post
poned, and that the ministers and the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps have determined
too, has begun to show signs of activity.
1t is also officially stated that M. Theirs has
been commissioned to proceed Immediately to
London, St. Petersburg and Vienna, on diplo-
matte mission, growing out Of important des-
patches received by the French ministry from
those capitals on Sunday last. The over
lures for an armistice which Austria has been
authorized to make on the part of the
French government exclude the principle
of any cession of the national territory.
That is not to be thought of under any circum
stances. The Russian government is repre-
sented as giving its aid to the efforts ofAustra,
with the understanding that France is to
acquiesce in the Eastern policy Of Russia,
which would bode i'll for the peace of the
Grand Sultan. If there were any truth in this
intimation it would naturally account for the
negative and somewhat unfriendly position
ascribed to England in this matter of peace
negotiations. But another despatch couples
England with Russia in the effort at mediation,
so that it is impossible to reason on such
and contradictory premises. But
London journals are no better off in that
respect than we are ourselves for complaint is
made there also of the chaos of wild and con-
Trajectory statements telegraphed to them.
As to the position of the United States
government in reference to the peace move
ment, it is stated from Paris that it's Minister
there is expected to help in the mediation, and
from Berlin that the despatch of our Secretary
of State to Mr.. Bancroft conveying, in diplo-
matte language, the sympathy of the United
States with the popular government established
in France caused great sensation in the Prus-
sian capital, and was considered 80 important
that information of it was Immediately for
warded by special courier to King William.
We have also denial from Washington of the
opinion ascribed to President Grant unfavor-
able to the permanency of the French republic.
The political movements of the past few
days in Europe cannot be without their effect
in the determination of the question of peace
or war. Rome, the Eternal City, is about to
pass, if it has not already passed, from the
jurisdiction Of the Sovereign Pontiff into that
of the King of Italy. Republican agitation is
assuming menacing proportions in Italy,
Spain, Germany and Great Britain. There is
said to be great feeling OF popular sympathy
manifested by the German democracy with the
people of France in their recent change of
government, and consequently the continu-
ance of the war against the French repub-
lie ia much deprecated in GERMANY And