The New York herald., 1870-09-20
What arc the Chances Of Peace s-Tse
Prussiau Dinlculty.


The most reliable news, seemingly, of the
efforts made for peace or the chance there
might be of peace, comes from what Is termed
the semi-ofacial statement Of the London
O6seroer. From this it appears that Lord
LYONS. the British Minister in France, was
conducting negotiations between Jules Favre
and Bismarck, and that brief armistice had
been arranged pending these efforts. Another
telegram from London, which came later, says
that rumor prevails that the negotiations
between Jules Favre and Bismarck through
the English Legation have resulted unfavor-
ably and that there is now no hope of an
armistice. There seems to be little doubt,
therefore, that the British government did give
the public to understand that it was endeavor-
ing to bring about peace. Was this done
merely to soothe the English people, who
were clamoring for q recognition OF the
French republic? Or did the British govern
ment really make serious effort for an armis
tico snd for peace?
1t would be very interesting to know on what
grounds England made the proposition, what
views she expressed to the belligerents and to
what end she is working. If she were really
desirous of seeing peace restored through the
only existing authorities in France, she would
accomplish that much better and sooner by
following the example Of the United States,
.facto republican government of France, than
by any other course. The motive of England
in the step she is reported to have taken for
an armistice and peace negotiations arises, it is
said, from her fear of a republican propa-
ganda, the trouble this would cause the gov
ernments of Europe and the ominous rumors
a6oat concerning the projects Of Russia and
Austria in the East. The frank and prompt
recognition of the French republic by Eng
land would have great effect upon the King
of Prussia as well as upon the other governing
Powers of Europe. 1t would lead probably,
to an early peace. But the monarchists and
aristocrats of England are in this dilemma
they are afraid of sanctioning republican
government in France on the one hand and
dread the consequences of republican pro-
paganda and republican fury on the other
should the French nation be driven to despera-
ton.
The truth is, there is no sincerity, no honest
and Outspoken policy by any of the great
Powers Of Europe except by the French repub-
lie. The de .t0ct0 republican government of
France declares boldly its policy and its wish
to make peace Even Prussia is afraid to
avow that it is now making war on the French
republic, for the people of Germany and the
| nf lv nOt
OF that. King William pretends that the de
facto government of France is no government
! at all and that he cannot treat with it for
peace. This is mere pretence, to cover up his
hostility to and fear of republicanism. If by
any accident king or emperor had been pro-
claimed in Paris-some dynasty that he could
approve of-we should soon have heard of
! peace negotiations, though such q ruler might
not have anything like the popular support
the provisional republican government has.
Peace is not made because there is any neces-
sity for carrying the war farther, because the
| French are unwilling to make peace, even with
| great sacrifices, but because tho King and
aristocracy OF Prussia, secretly backed by the
| other monarchs and aristocracies of Europe,
! are hostile to the republic and wish to crush
it. It is all false pretence. Prussia and the
rest are acting deceitfuly because they are
afraid to tell the truth.
We hear now, through the European mo- I
narchical channels Of information, that the
''reds" are rising in France. Some few extre-
mists may be making fuss, but this does not
| amount to much. The republican government
and mass of the republican people are dis
posed TO establish and maintain order, and
they will do so, we believe, if not prevented
by hostile Powers outside. Of course King
William and the European monarchists and
aristocrats generally will make the most of
every little demonstration of the ''reds" to
throw discredit upon the repablic. 1t is quite
likely, indeed, that they may foment such diff
iculties in France through spies and secret
agents to serve their own purposes. There
is fair prospect for permanent republican
government being established in France now
if the French be left to their own free action.
From the report that the King of Prussia
will not treat with the republic and will only
negotiate with the Bonapartes being reiterated
so often we conclude that this is the position
he has taken and that there lies the difficulty
in making peace. He pretends, it is said, that
the de .fdcto republican government can give
no guarantee of peace, that it may be only short
lived, and that it might not be able to carry
out the terms of a treaty of peace. This
might be said of any other government-of
government under the Bonapartes OF
Orleans dynasty. If the Bonapartes
be forced upon the French again by Prussian
bayonets, after the Emperor having been cap
tured and the Regency having run away, and
after the humiliation and disgrace they have
brought upon France, does King William
| i'm rina thav vyouId have a bettay oh ance of