The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-10
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Editorial Opinions ofthc Leading Journals
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FAILURE OF THE PROPOSED ARMS
TICE-IS PARIS DOOMED?

FAILURE OF THE PROPOSED ARMS
TICE-IS PARIS DOOMED
From the NJ Y. Herald.
The friends of peace and humanity every
where must deeply regret the failure of the
proposed armiStice between the great belll-
gerents in Europe All hoped that the dread
full carnage would be suspended long enough
to allow the French nation to elect Consti-
tuent Assembly, and to give fair expression
of public sentiment on proposals for peace.
There was hopo, toe, that if an armistice
could be concluded for this purpose the war
would not be renewed. The news from
Europe has destroyed these hopes The pro-
visional government of France wanted food
to be admitted into Paris for the twenty
five days Of armistce, SO that the city
might not be in a worse condition for
defense and resistance should the war be
resumed at the end of that time. OF course
if France and Prussia could not agree upon
terms Of peace the former would be in worse
condition for resistance of the expiration of
the armistice, through the consumption of
the limited amount offood in the beleaguered
city of Paris. The object of the French
Government was to maintain the status quo,
so that each of the bellgerents should be in
the same and as good position for resuming
hostilities should peace not be made. Then
it appears the French authorities wanted
AlSBCe ana hOIIdlu0 10 NOLO IOE IuemDBIS Oh
the Constituent Assembly. The Prussiaus
refused both these conditions. Thereupon
M. Theirs, who was negotiating on the part
of the French at the Prussian royal head
quarters, was recalled, and the proposed
armistice failed.
Did the French Provisional Government
really desire an armistice? Was it afraid of
submitting the question of peace to the peo-
pie? Was it apprehensive of the popular
vote being against itself and the republic !?
There is a suspicion that tho men who co n
pose that Government cared less about peace
or France than maintaining their own power
at any cost. 1t is thought by some that they
are paudering to the passions of the worst
classes, regardless of the welfare OF the
country, for the purpose of holding the rein
of power. It may be SO; still the latest news
shows that the people in Paris, at least, sus-
tain the defiant attitude of the Government.
1t is not unlikely that if the Government had
accepted the Prussian terms for an armstice
it would have fallen before the fury of the
populaoe. The situation was a critical one,
undoubtedly, though we think Jules Favre,
Trochu, Gambetta and all the other leaders
of the French in this crisis should have
risked something and have taken the respon-
sibiity to save Paris and the country from
further disasters.
While we admire the herosm of the French
people we cannot close our eyes to the stern
facts of their dsorgauized aud terrible condi-
ton. We cannot but see that they are in the
grip of the mighty hoses of Germany, and
that their struggles are like those of the lao
coon, hopelessly enveloped and Writhing in
the coils Of the serpents. With all their fine
armies destroyed and six or seven hundred
thousand veteran, we'll disciplined and splen-
didly handled troops Of the enemy on their
soil, how can they hope to turn the tide of
battle? Paris may make q brave defense, but
it must fall in time before the vast forces and
resources of the enemy. Unless something
should occur-some other proposition be made
and accepted for an armistice or for peace
the beautiful and gay capital of Europe is
doomed. This splendid capital of the civil
lied world must fall as Strasburg and Metz
have fallen 1t is sad event to contemplate,
and one that il the pages of history would
not rebound to the honor of Prussia if it
pushes the war to such an extremity. Still
the French will have to bear the blame for
not yielding to the fate of war and the mex
orable demands of the conqueror.
1t is possible some other terms may be pro-
posed to end this fearfully bloody war, either
by the Prussians or through the interposition
of foreign powers, though the prospect at
present is gloomy. While none of the mon
archical nations of Europe can be expected to
look with favor upon the incipient French
republic, it is lot to their interest to see the
nation destroyed or to have Prussia over
whelmingly powerful. 1t is possible, then,
that as the late proposed armistice has failed
some of the great powers, if not all, may yet
find solution for the difficulty. We hope
that may be so; that Paris and France may
be saved and that this bloodiest of modern
wars may soon be ended.