The New York herald., 1870-09-15
FaiI.rs Of Peace NssotiatIons-The siess or
Paris Incvftuble.

FalIurs Of Peace NesotiatIons--rh sieys ei
Paris Incvftubls.
The most striking and the saddest feature Of
the European news this morning is that all the
efforts on the part OF the French government
TO bring about ON armistics and negotiations
for peace have utterly failed. The mission OF
M. Theirs to London in the hope of inducing
the English government to mediate between
France and Germany is announced by the
London Times Of yesterday to hare been pro-
ductiye of no result; and that journal adds
that the war must go on II is understood
that he offered an indemnify Of one hundred
million dollars, hesurrender Of half the feet and
the disnlantienent of the fortresses of Metz and
Strasbourg. Adespatch from Brussels repre-
sents it almost certain that Prussia will refuse
to entertain propositions looking to an armis-
tice, because an armistice would delay army
operations, and, in case the negotiations should
be unsuccessful, would render the situation of
the German army much less favorable than it
now is.
One Of our correspondents at Paris telegraphs
the particulars of an interview which he had
with M Ernest Picard, Minister Of Finance
1t is most melancholy despairing confession
of the military weakness Of the French nation.
1t seems that tho interview was specially
accorded for the purpose of acquainting the
American people, through the columns of the
HERALD, Of the situation of affairs as viewed
by the Ministry itself, and of stimulating the
sympathy and good offices of the people and
government of the United States. M. Picard,
after deploring the horrible condition to which
France Is reduced, declares that the RESPONSE
bilty of provoking the war lay with the impe-
rial government, and that the government Of
the republic would have most gladly retrcated
from the position By agreeing to an honorable
peace France was at first, he said, compelled
to fight without cause, and now it was COM
PEELED to fight without hope. The Ministry
had turned in every direction in search of q
friendly and powerful mediator to aid in
arranging terms of peace, but had been disap-
pointed on ell sides. 1t was to the American
government alone that France owed gratitude
for its friendly action. M. Picard, in the
course Of the interview, confessed the ina
bility of the republican government, hardly
more than q week old, to contend against the
vast military force arrayed against it, and
declared that France had been left by the
Emperor without an army, without arms and
without money.
On the whole this exhibit by M. Picard Is
one Of the most saddening and discouraging
that we have yet had to notice.
We hope that he has exaggerated the des-
perateness of the situation and that France is
by no means in the hopeless condition which
he describes. General Trochu, the commander
of Paris, seems TO take more sodierly and
confident view Of affairs. He does not despair
Of the republic and expects to make success
Fnl defence of the capital. The Minister Of
Justice, too, NJ. Cremieux, who is entrusted
with the government Of those departments that
have not yet been invaded by the Germans,
appeals to the god Of battles in proclamation
the approach of the Prussians and
calling upon all Frenchmen to rise against the
invaders and drive them out, as their fathers
did in 1892.
We may assume that the German army is
tions of Paris, inesmuch as detachments of
uhlnns and engineers were yesterday signaed
within few miles distance. Tomorrow,
perhaps, the formal demand for the surrender
Of the forts and city will be made, and
will be, of course, refused. Then the real
earnest bloody work of the siege will COM
mence. On the result will depend not only
the national existence of France, but also the
question whether Europe is to be governed
under popular or under military institutions,
whether the reign of law or of force is to be
established. If Paris makes successful resist
ance the republic Of France will stand, and
its example will be followed by the other
nations Of Europe. II Paris falls the republic
falls, and with it the hopes of free institutions
in Europe, for this generation, at least. Is it
any wonder, therefore, that the sympathies of
the American people are given TO France in
this terrible life-and-death struggle2 Or is 1T
q matter of surprise that the kingly Powers
resist the appeals of the French government
to come TO it's aid? The secret OF our SYM
pathy and of their antipathy lies in the very
fact that the contest between republicanism
and monarchy is to be fought out before the
walls Of Paris.
There has been no confirmation of the fall Of
Metz and the surrender of Bazaine's army, of
which rumors were in circulation in London on
Tuesday that were believed in the Prussian
Embassy there. Nor is there any news Of q
definite character from that point. The latest
from Strasbourg is contained in a despatch
from General Ulrich to the government at
Paris, dated on the 9th inst. in which no de-
scribes affairs in the beleagiered city as in a
deplorable condition and growing worse; says
that the bombardment is incessant aud fright
full, but declares his intention to hold out to