The New York herald., 1870-08-19
ENGLAND.

The Secret Treaty and Neutrality Of Bel.
xum- French Overnight and Prussian Ad.
vantaEe-Luxembourg- Anxiety-The
Navy and Army-CoaI and Contra bands
Moltke and Bsmnrck-Fina ncial and Com
norcial Consequences.
LONDON, August 8, 1870.
We we're oil startled by the publication In
the Times of draft Of treaty between France
and Prussia, without date signature, but very
omnons for all that. In consideration OF France
making no objections to Prussia's gains In South
Germany, Prussia was to put pressure on Holland to
Sell Luxembourg to France, and, further to assist
France with army If that Power should choose to
annex Belgium. An alliance, offensive as well as
defensive to secure these objects. Ii Is not too
much 20 say that this document has almost monOpo-
lHed attention IN France, Prussia, England and
Belgium At first 1t was thought by many TO be clear
proof OF desire on the part of France to disregard
the faith OF treaties though some regarded it simply
as an attempt TO embroii this country with France
since England stands pledged to guarantee the neu-
trality OF Belgium. The of the week has not
favored entirely either OF these simple constructions
On the docum Mt being brought up in Parliament the
government gave no opinion as to the value TO be
attached TO it, but said that the Powers implicated
would doubtless hasten TO explain whatever mystery
there was aboutl II.
OVERSIGHT IN DIPLOMACY.
There has been plenty or explanation" since nut
not enough TO clear mp the matter. The Prussian
government says that the document In question was
written by Comte Benedetu, and exists In their ar.
chves an his handwriting; and so much Is conceded
10y France. The difference Is this, that while Bis.
marck says II was one OF a series OF similar
French proposals, the French Ambassador here
SAYS II was suggestion or Bismarck reduced to
writing by NJ. Benedetti from his dictation. Each
lla oil thgti Al
the proposal, says tnat 1t was al and deinitely
rejected. Bismarck adds that he kept the fact o
The offer secret in the interests OF peace. He adds
that he believes the publication OF the draif
is The Times France would have renewed the oyer
and have urged Prussia TO make peace at the ex-
pense Of Belgium. 1t Is useless TO try to reacn
decision at present as to VINO originated this neat
plan or sp0iaton; In any event IL is unlucky for
France hat the plan exists In Berlin In the hand
writing OF NJ Benedict, whose indiscretion in leay-
ing such an instrument IN such place seems in-
credible
DOUBTS OF BOTH POWERS.
THIS is about all that can be made OF t at present
though the French government might clear up Its
part IN the adaIr If it is capable OF It, by publishing
It's dispatches from N. Benedict at the time in ques
lion. the date OF what was called the Luxembourg
AFFAIR. IS the matter stands no one help feel
ing that confidence In both these friendly Powers is
considerably shaken II Is felt that such proposals
are not usually made, ut any rate In writing with
out toierable certainty that they not sure Of
Immediate re,ecton. AS matters stand Belgium
feels that her utmost strength must be always IN
readiness TO defend her neutrality. And England
sees with what suddenness she might have been
dragged into war for the defence of Belgian neutral
iiy Nor is she by any means too sure that
that danger is not In store for her vet. The
matter has been before the House Of Lords twice,
where Lord Granville has given such Information as
70 documents as is summarized above. But on Mon
day next the House OF Commons VIII undertake the
subject, which Will be properly introduced by Mr..
Dlsraeh as leader OF the opposition. On that even
ing he government viii no doubt be pressed for the
1uilest statement OF what 1t knows and what II
thinks, aiid the more powerful anj popular Chamber
VIII, IS hoped, make clear the wishes ana feelings
OF the country.
POWER OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE
Great anxiety Is naturally felt to know the state
OF inc forces available In case OF trouble break: ing
ont. The navy Is reported Mt 200 men ana 400
SAID to be IN greater state OF efficiency than has
been known III The feet Tor years.
With regard To the army, It Is stated by Mr. Card
well to be as nearly possible at the full strength
called Tor by the estimates. or course many more
questions nave been asked on this subject than 1t
was prudent ior The Ministry to answer; but, re-
marked above, MONDAY Is expected 10 bring out
satisfactory explanation from the Premier himself
COAL AND CONTRABANDs.
Coal Is already subject OF lively discussion
France wiz not consider 1t contraband OF war while
Prussia wnl. Hence, if the French navy captures
vessels carrying coal to German ports 1t will let them
go az innocent; but, as the Prussans are far inferior
.u nayal force, the supplies OF coal to France run
llite danger. Annoyed by these reflections the Ger
mans are already camoripg that England will vio-
late neutrality If she allows Newcastle to supply coal
10 the French Meet and asking ir England really
wishes another Alabama question. Truly, the ways
ol neutrality are hard to travel Coat, unfortunate
y, is a. useful In peace as In war; which Is more
than can be said OF ball cartrioges However, with
out defining as coDtraband articles OF doubtful ma
Ture, Pariam mt Is amending the Foreign Enlistment
act as 1t should have been amended before MIR.
Lalrd's business practices were enabled to do
such HARM 1t ls hoped that the new provisions Will
prevent any one or Mr.. Lard's turn OF mind rom re-
pcatlng those operations In which he so cunnlngly
made the whole country his special partner. But
about the coal business ls Impossible to say what
VIII he done since neutral nations are not in the
habit OF redressing irregularities between begereDts
oI o. laying down rules Ior the decisions or Their
priZe courts.
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR
Very little news from the seat OF war reaches US.
the position OF the French army IL not known with
certainty while the Prussian arrangements can only
be guessed at. IL Is certain however that the
D. eys OF the Moselle and the Saar crowded with
an tcuturists whose tools would scarcely be recog-
rep0rh.d but in very different terms by writers
of opIn,sed natonalities. The Emperor Napo-
leon has reached Metz with his son, and
with ms reAt.ess cousin. who is supposed 70 be
ali the safer for being under the Emperor eye and
without a commaSd. An Imperial proclamation has
been issued in the smy, telilag IL fankly that the
ssts of some OF The best troops In Europe The great
er the glory OF overcoming taen whisn Is certainly
90 happen since the French soldier Will prove MIN
self worthy OF his fathers The army assured that
she cause OF cvuzation depends on It's success and
snat il every man does his duty the GOO OF Battles
VIII be with The French. IL must De very conIoI
to know an TINS on the word Of their Emperor Dut
Inc French would hardly have objected 10 = littie
more fIe IN the proclamation. An ADDRESS speciaiv
composed for tue navy was read by the Empress al
Ihprbourr ust before the departure OF the sqlauTo
and or course her Maiesty's INSPIRING presence
added greatly to the natural enthusiasm oi .'ie o
uent some fifty thousand men are DeieVeu ~ , na.s
leu for an expedition TO land on the coast OF North
t,ermany. no one KNOWS where.
MoLTKE AND BISMARCK.
The German preparations are reported rs COM
p,ete Count Moltke inspires as much enthusiasm
m matters Elitary as does Bismarck IN matters
dinlo,natc even though the soldier Is SO chaTy ol
,s ,vords fhat he is said TO be sient IN seven IAN
,,nages.r lie reminds one VI General Grant