The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-08
PROPHETIC WORDS.

Prov csf -Paradol on the Struggle with Prussia.
The last chapter OF M. Provost Paradols last work.
''Ia France Nouvelle,' says the Pail Mall Gazette,
has melancholy interest when read by the light of
recent events-the death OF the author by his own
hand the awful struggle in which his country is
Involved It's theme is the future OF France and its
chief object is to point out the danger to France
with which such struggle Is fraught, be the issue
what It may. The very opening words are words Of
warning :-"La France approche de fepreuve la plus
redoubtabe qu'ee ait encore Iayersee." The
for the German unity which he dreaded
as the result OF a war with Prussia, no matter whe-
ther the vctery rested with France or not, was ac-
compshed at one stroke by the mere declaration of
war by the Emperor Suppose, he says, that victory
remains with France-and the mere fact, he re-
marks, that there should be any question on this
head shows the change of position effected since
1866; before that time the only question was
whether France could hold her own against
coalition Of all EuIOpebut grant that she has the
victory, what Will she do with it2 Win she
follow the example OF Prussia, and, availing
herself of the principle OF natlonalltIes,"
strengthen herself by annexatiOn9 There are
only two parts OF Europe TO which this principle
could he applied by France, namely, Belgium and
the French portions OF Switzerland. But the price
TO be PAID for this trhing gain would be- of neces-
in the cas- other states France could not then,
with any show OF consistency, object to the union OF
some 6fty zone millions OF German-speaking people
In State the union of all the Sayonic races
under the Russian nag France, therefore, he
alone. Bv applying II she has little To gain, while
her encouragement OF 1t is certain 10 result in vast
increase OF strength to her rivals and prop JrtiOn-
ate dmlnution of power 10 herself. III, on the
other ha 3D. she were 10 remain content with the
mere rights of victory, she might indeed for while
retard German unity, bns It's ultimate accomplish
ment would be made more sure, as the movement
In fayer OF it would be stimulated by defeat Even
victory therefore Is pregnant with danger to the
future Of France. suppose, however, Prussia,
alone aided by Russia ~ be Victorious IL Is un-
necessary to urge, he says that this would be "Ghe
tomb OF the greatness Of France" France would
not be annihilated, 10 Is true. There Is still in
Europe u sufficiently strong feeling 60 the
ofru rfa hTiu IN tN nraa
ton of her existence desirable TO the other powers
But her place aJaong the notions OF Europe
would he lost; Prussia and Russia would rise
with her tall; German unity would be accomplished
one stroke; Austria sOoner or later would fall to
pieces, the German portions becoming the property
OF the new Germany, the SlayOnic being appropri-
ated by Russia the Eastern question would be
settled thOut any regaro 70 the wishes OF France;
ana EnPlaDd 'suitcienly rewarded for her COM
plaisance ny the tranquil possession OF Egypt
and the spectacle OF our disaster" would pro-
babsy not trouble her head about these new
comhinsd0ns and arrangements on the Con-
tinent such, In brief, is the gloomy
view pr out by Provost Paradol IN his New France,
ana We ihink il is worth studying, rot probable
forecast OF the future OF France or Europe but
rather as an illustration OF the force of national
character. II shows cnriously how completely
military predomnanee aud national greatness have
become convertible ideas even with the most large
minded French politicians. TO rs the greatness o.
France seems too s0ltd too firmly established, u
crumbf away into nothing the moment she ceases
to be the military dietatress OF Europe.