The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-11
years" This way OF doing business saves a
Morld Of litigation, is usually just to all parties
concerned and leaves no margin for writs and
RpDenls.


IL lS seldom tnat we turn aslde 10 pay COM
ailments to our contemporaries, for the simple
reason that compliments are seldom merited.
II has always been a source of pleasure to us
to bestow praise where praise Is due. AS II
always has been, SO is IL our pride and plea
sure to-day to be just aud generous In the
Tribune of Wednesday there was good edi-
torial on France and Germany-an editorial
severe, but just and so completely in har-
mony with our view of the situation that we
gladly allude to it. The Tribune somewhat
exclusively gives expression to views which
have again and again been published in these
columns.
J. This war was begun by Napoleon, who was
driven into it by France for the purpose Of
conquering and annexing territory. Since
1915 the French people have been looking
with greedy eyes to the Rhine provinces,
which were French under the First Empire,
but which werc handed over to Prussia
by tho Allies after Waterloo Since the re-
establishment of the empire the hunger for the
Rhine provinces has been intensified. To
undo Waterloo and the Vienna and Paris trea-
ties was the avowed purpose of the nephew
of his uncle" We all know how France was
Inundated by the battle of Sadowa and the
treaty Of Prague. We have not forgotten the
fuss about Luxembourg, the London confer
ence and the consequent compromise. 1t
would be easy to select from the columns of
the HERALD abundant evidence that if Napo-
leon had not been wiser than the mass of men
-nn olo iypn 10
would have gone to war with Prussia in 1867.
Because Napoleon did not snub Prussia then
Frenchmen abused Napoleon, and the govern
ment was pronounced imbecile. The interval
between the London conference and the Span
ish throne question was supposed to be wisely
and skilfully used by Napoleon and his ad-
visers. In preparing the French army to fight
Prussia the brave and Industrious Marshal
Mel toiled and died. Who has forgotten
the Hohenzollern candidature for the Span
ish crown? 1t is but an affair of yester-
day. Remembering the French howl that
followed Sadowa, that became louder after the
Luxembourg compromise, and, believing that
France was ready for war, Napoleon deemed
1t the wisest course in the circumstances to
give France chance to fight. We all know
how the declar alton Of war was applauded by
the French people. We have not forgotten
chat all that was asked was granted, and
granted by large majorities, in the Chambers
All that has followed everybody knows. To
please France Napoleon went to war; but
on the occasion of the first serious reverse
France deserted him. A more selfish and
kreacherous policy was never pursued by any
party than that which gave power to the men
who now pretend to rule France. II they had
stood by the Regency after the battle Of Sedan
Che war would have been ended at once. The
situation Of France to-day is the best proof
OF the incompetency of the men who vainly
attempt to hold the reins of power.
A large quantity Of maudlin sentiment
tality has been written about the iniquity of
Prussia in demanding cesson of territory
The writer in the Tribune disposes of this
nonsense in well conceived and ably written
paragraph. Having shown that this war was
undertaken by France for the very purpose of
robbing Prussia of territory, he says:-
1t may be well to recall the terms which she i'm
posed upon Prussia xtythree years ago, when that
trate position that France Is now to Germany. In
fact, Inc comparison OF that war with the present
one, the position OF the parties being exactly re-
versed, Is much closer than might be supposed.
When Napoleon, after defeating the Prussians at
Jena, entered Berlin III triumph, William Ill. 1.-THE
father OF tie present kingl whose possessions were
reduced to sucn territory as remained to Prussia
beyond the Oder, sent to know upon what teruis ne
the imperious answer that not even temporary
armstice would be granted, unless every fortress
remaining In Prussia was surrendered, and
shat involved the giving up OF everything the King
wisely as the result proved, resolved to hazard his
fate upon the chances OF war. further struggle
for nine months eusued, when, the Gear Alexander
being unwilling to sustain the war longer behalf
July, 1907 by which the King Of Prussia was com.
PEELED to accept SUCH terms as Napoleon would grant.
y ne was deprived 81 n more than hall bus terri
Che Rhine and the Ellie, to found the Kingdom OF
Westphaila for Jerome Bonaparte, and other por-
port OF Dantzic had TO be relinquished, and
what was lett Of the kingdom was closed against
enemy OF France. He had to surrender up che Polish
provinces OF Prussia one part Of them. Byaly
formed into the Duchy Of Warsaw and annexed to
SaX0ny. He had TO consent to the confederation Of
the Rhine as established by France. and TO recog..
nze the Kingdom OF Naples under Joseph and OF
Holland under Louis Napoleon. In addition to this
the exacuons made by France amounted In money
70 over tive hundred million francs, and Prussia
afterwards In 1905, had to pay one hundred and
twenty million francs 10 procure the withdrawal
OF French troops from Prussian cities held In
armed occupation for the lufment OF these oner-
Gus terms. But this was NOT all. Every thing that
could add to the humiliation OF fallen enemy was
heaped upon the defeated Prusslan monarch. The
conqueror scarcely degned to notice him when set
tling the Germs with the Gar Alexander and openly
declared that he returned the Prusslan territories
not TO the KING Of Prussia but to the Emperor OF
Russia, and that If the King Ieigned at all it was
s0leiy Dy the consent and friendship OF the Car.
Ine public war bulletins sent to France aDounded
WIN cOntemptuous and sarcastic references to the
KING Of Prussia, and in one OF them the chastity of
ms queen was assaied, an interesting and Deau,i-
1u woman, whose untinely death Ia believed by the
Prussian nation to have been hasleued py her SrieT
al the misfOrtunes OF her country.
This is the hour of Prussian triumph; and
who can blame her, remembering as she does
che bitter past, for imperiously demanding the
fruits Of victory? As we said when this war