The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-07
THE POLICY or THE NEW RE-
PUBLIC

TIE French are still consoling themselves in
a military sense with the stubborn resistance
which their forts and fortified towns have
made to the invaders. They have also rea-
sonsble prospect that Paris may withstand
siege for some weeks; and if one months
time oan be gained, it is possible that bad
roads and bad weather may seriously derange
tho plans of the invaders. Immense prepa-
rstions have been made in the capital for the
impending emergency. Louis Philippe
lavished millions on the construction of the
defensive walls. Napoleon spent immense
sums in strengthening them. Trochu has
been busily engaged for many days in having
cannon mounted and in organizing their de-
tenders And now hundreds of thousands
of Republicans, who will be assisted by the
remnants of the regular armies, avow deter
mination to protect these ramparts to the
last The Prussians will, therefore, find the
capture of Paris amore difficult task than any
of the feats they have already accomplished;
and if they attempt it the lustre of their arms
may at last be dimmed at the very moment
when they seem to be on the eve of final
and overwhelming triumph. Sieges are pro-
verbally slow and uncertain operations, and
it will be extremely hazardous for the in
vaders TO waste much time, at this season of
the year, in the heart of hostile country.
1t is to be hoped that out of these uncer-
sainties treaty of peace may be developed.
The Germans have done enough to prove
their superior prowess, and if they drive
France to desper,ti the most extraordinary
new complications may arise. The true inte-
rests of both countries demand peace, for
prolonged war may endanger alike the newly
created republic and the newly established
German unity. If King William asks
only guarantees against renewal of
hostilitie', Francs had far better grant
them than prolong desperate contest. She
will lose less by surrendering her frontier
fortresses and her feet than by having her
country ravaged and her industry paralyzed.
The invaders have done more useful thing
for her than for themselves, in destroying the
empire. but even the republic may be a ques-
tionable boon if it is to be forced to prolong
desperate struggle, and if it is to begin
war of propagandism like that instituted at
the close of the last century.
1t is said that one of the members of the
new Provisional Government has already
proffered the olive branch TO the invaders,
and the wisdom of such course can scarcely
be doubted. If negotiations are set on foot,
we hope they may be met in liberal spirit,
and that ell the hot-headed republican leaders
will be induced to favor peaceful policy.
The true course will be to let the
quarrels of the empire perish with the
empire itself, to regard the acquisition
of political freedom as a compensation
for the loss Of military glory, and to
rear up in peace mighty and perpetual re-
public on the foundation unexpectedly estlb-
lished in war. If French liberty aud Ger
man unity can be placed on an immutable
basis without further bloodshed, the conflict
will clese to the mutual advantage of both
parties.