The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-19
Tho Eurspoan War-Hspes ef mn Arsais-
tice and the Probabiitty Of sureSean

| Offices for mediation, and Austria and Great
Britain are most anxious for peace. In this
connection it is to be noted that stocks
advanced yesterd ay in London and gold fell in
New York. AT the same time we learn that
| the demand for q European congress Is gen
eral and somewhat imperious. Russia and
Austria seem determined to prevent, If pos
sible, Prussia from making too much capital
out OF this war IN.
| The spirit OF the latest news encourages the
belief that among all the Powers the feeling
| prevails that the war has lasted sufficiently
long; that France has been sufficiently humili-
ated, and that Prussia is already become
dangerously powerful. The moral sense OF
mankind is loud against tho continuance Of the
war. It is notorious that all over Great Bri-
tain the workngmen have begun to believe
that the war, III its present shape, is q war
against their order. The feeling has become
so strong in London that the power Of the
police and the army alone prevents violent
| popular demonstrations. We know how it is
here. Not unwilling to see French vanity
etfcctually snubbsd, we have no desire to see
France reduced to the rank of a second or
third rate Power. The German democrats
reveal similar feelings; so powerfully, in fact,
that King William is threatened with an upris-
ing in his rear This, however, is not all.
Austria secs, aud sees clearly, that If the
war Is not soon ended her twelve millions of
Germans will kick at Austrian rule and
exchange the caution Of Beust for the dash and
vigor Of Bismarck. The Fatherland, an
ancient watchword, powerful in the days Of
Goethe and Schiller, dangerously powerful ia
the days Of the Tngendbund, is now the
mightiest name in Europe. The Fatherland,
through Prussia, has found its strength, and
all Europe feels that new era, will or
nil, has been entered upon. The North,
through Prussia mainly, has been cultivated,
taught to feel and know its strength; and
the German legions, strong in brain, and
strong also in limb, are no longer to be held in
check BY any neighboring Power. or by any
to-day care little about kings or kaisers, but
they care much for Fatherland, and they are
resolved that Fatherand shall never again be
divided. The Austrian government feels this
and tremblss. Rassia sees it and scarcely
knows what to do. Russia only knows that a
in Europe. Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and
even Sweden, know that they must at no dis
tant day, to save themselves from sorrow,
become tributaries to the great German nation
atty. Great Britain even is convinced that
the day is past when she could rule Europe by
cunning combinations. Taking into account
the peculiarly painful situation of France and
the development of this new and wonderful
force in central Europe, we cannot woader
that the desire for peace has become 80 general
and so strong.
II is our belief that an armistice has become
almost a necessity. France has no longer q
good reason to prolong The contest, and
Prussia, or, rather, Germany, has good reason
to wish tho campaign ended before the rough
winter season fully sets in. On all hands the
pressure is 10 favor of cessation of hostii.ies.
A cessation of hostilities is desirable for
France, desirable for Germany, desirable for
Enrope, desira ole, in fact for the world for
commerce, which lives and thrives by liberty,
has grown inpatient of what it thinks uncaled
for restraint In spite oil all that we have
heard Of French pluck and spirit and persever-
ance: in spite Of Gambetta and Jules Favre
and NJ Theirs. not one Of whom has faith in
the others, it has to be admitted that the pro-
longation Of this contest is only the prolonga
ton OF misery, Of destruction, of the reign Of
sorrow and death. An armistce, we again
say, has become a necessity. History will
blame Jules Fayre because an armisticc was
not agreed upon some weeks ago. But better
late than never. An armistice, which some
weeks ago would have left Prussia to deal
with France at her own sweet will, now mnkes
general European congress indispensable.
Where the congress may meet we know not
This however, We do kuow-the great Powers
cannot afford to allow France and Prussia
alone to settle this great question Of the future
peace of the world. Russia demands guaran-
ees as we'll as Prussia. Austria demands, or
desires to demand, guarantees just as much as
the one or the other. Italy has something to
say, so has Spain, SO have the Scandinavian
nations. Great Britain has many things to
say, and what she has to say must be said. If
an armistice can be agreed to European
congress must follow. The congress will have
much to do. 1t will be difficult to reconcile
France to sacrifice Of territory. 1t will be
impossible to induce Prussia to make peace
unless there be some such sacrifice. That
France must give in we regard as foregone
conclusion. The question is not whether
France will yield, but what the congress win
do with the coded provinces Of Alsace and
Lorraine. II is not our opinion that they will
be annexed to Prussia directly. 1t is not i'm
possible that they will be annexed to Belgium.
It is much more probable, however, that AL