The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-09
Faiisre OF the Proposed Armisiice--Is Paris
Doomsde


| Doomsde
The friends or peace and humanity every
where must deeply regret the failure Of the
proposed armistice between the great belli-
gerents in Europe. All hoped that the dread
iul carnage would be suspended long enough
to allow The French nation TO elect Consti-
tuent Assembly and to give fair exp ession
Of public sentiment on proposals Tor peace.
There was hope, too. that if an armisicc
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
DO admitted into Paris for tie twenty
five days OF armistice, SO that the city
might not be in worse condition for
defence and resistance should the war be
resumed al the end Of that time. or course If
France and Prussia could not agree upon
terms of peace the former would be in worse
condition for resistance at tho expiration of
tho armisticc, through the consumption Of the
limited amount of food in tho beleaguered city
OF Paris. The object of the French government
was to maintain the status Qato, 50 that each Of
the beliigerents should bs Ia the same and as
good position for resuming hostilitios should
peace not BIO made Then it appears the French
authorities wanted Alsace and Lorraine to vote
for members of the Constituent Assembly.
The Prussians refused both these conditions
Thereupon M. Theirs, who was negotiating on
the part oil the French at the Prussian royal
headquarters, was recalled and the proposed
armistice failed.
Did the French provisional government
really desire an armistce? Was it afraid Of
submitting the question of peace to the people?
Was it apprehensive of the popular vote being
against itself and the repnblcp There is
suspicion that the men who compose that gov
ernment cared less about peace or France than
maintaining their own power at any cost. II
is thought by some that they are pandering to
the passions Of the worst classes, regardless Of
the welfare Of the country, for the purpose Of
holding the reins Of power. 1t may be so !;
still the latest news shows that the people in
Paris, at least, Sustain the defiant attitude of
the government. II is not unlikely that il the
government had accepted the Prussian terms
for an armstice it would have fallen before
the fury Of the populacc. The situation was
critical one. undoubtedly, though we think
Jules Fayre. Trochu, Gambetta and all the
other leaders of the French in this crisis
should have rislled something and have taken
the responsibility 10 save Paris aud the country
from further disasters.
Io,sc fbo ,ft1 o E-o uo1,
people we cannot close our eyes to the stern
facts of their disorganized and terrible condi-
lion. We cannot but see that they are in
the grip Of the mighty hosts Of Ger
many and that their struggles are like
those of the laococn, hopelcssly enyeloped !
and writing 10 the coils OF the serponts.
With all their fac armies destroyed and six or
seven hundred thousand veteran, well disci-
plined and splendidly handled troops of the
enemy on their soil, how can they hope TO turn
the tide Of battle! Paris may make brave
defence, but it must fall in time before the
vast forces and resources of the enemy. IN
less something should occur-some other pro-
position be made and accepted for an armis-
tice or for peace--tie beautiful and gay
capital Of Europe is doomed. This splendid
capital of the civilized world must fall
as Ssrasbourg and Metz have .faiien.
1t is sad event to contemplate and
one that in the pages OF history would not
rebound 10 tho 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 memorable demands OF
the conqueror.
II 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 monarchical
nations OF Europe can be expected to look
with favor upon the incipient French republic
it is not TO their interest to see the nation
destroyed or to have Prussia overwhelmingly
powerful. 1t is possible, then, that az the
late proposed armstice has failed some of the
great Powers, if not all, may yet find sou-
ton for the difficulty We hope that may be
50; that Paris and France may be saved and
that this bloodiest OF modern wars may soon
be ended.
THE NEGRO IN THE HOUSE or REPRESENTA-
TIvEs is as certain conclusion from the late
election in South Carolina as the famous
''nigger in the woodpile" ever was. Three Of
them, two quoted mulatto and one unqualified
negro, have been returned in the four districts
of South Carolina. The quotation ''nulatto'
Includes all grades of shadowy complexion
lighter than sooty black, SO that the two COM
ing members so quoted may be any color