Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-07-23
Why France goes to War.

The Paris Journal Oficiel publishes clrcu-
lar addressed by tho Minister of Foreign Al
fairs, under date of July 81, to the diplomatic
agents of France at foreign capitals. The or
cuar mentions the explanation made on the
18th inst in the Chambers, and speaks OF inc
rapid events OF negotiation In which, as 1ast
as France redoubed her efforts to preserve
peace, the seer, designs were developed OF an
adversary resolved to render peace I'm p0sslDie.
Il continues "Whether the Berlin CaUinet
had Judged war necessary tor the accom- piisn-
ment oil their projects against the sell govern
ment Of the German States, or, hardly salts
fed at having established 10 the center OF
Europe military power, formidable TO all lis
neiehbors, they had wished to turn to account
the mower already acquired by displacog def.
nitely to the advantage of Prussia the interna.
tional equilibrium the premeditated intention
to refuse us the guarantees which were indis-
pcnsibe to our security as we'll as our honor
was shown by the strongest evidence during
their conduct OF the negotiations
The circular then mentions the candidature
of the Prince Of HohenzoIlerD, and declares
that the Berlin Cabinet hoped to place the
Prince on the Throne Of Charles ' by sur
prise, believing that Europe would accept the
accom- plished fact, and that France, in spite OF
her temporary dspleasure, would hesitate to
oppose the expressed will OF the Spanish people,
who were friendly to her.
The French Government, Informed Of the
danger from this intrigue, did not hesitate to
denounce it to the representatives OF the peo'
pie and to foreign powers. All have tet that
Prussia was alone 10 her INSCRIPTIONS policy,
and that, knowing herself to bs without the
support of common right. she has nevertheless
sought to impose upon Europe the further
abuse of 80 dangerous an extension of her infu
euce. France took up the cause of the balance
of power, knowing it to be the cause of all
people meneced like herself by the dispropor.
tionale ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF enc royal house.
In doing 50 she has not placed herself in oppo-
sition to her own maxims and policy, or those
OF the Great Powers.
The circular cites as proof, the cases of Bel
GUM, Greece, and Naples, and the refusal Of
the Great Powers to allow any of their princes
to mount those thrones.
The circular then mentions the Withdrawal
of Hohenzollern, the refusal of Prussia to give
guarantees, and the other incidents which have
| followed; adding: France ought to demand
! guarantees since Prussia had already given bel
word that the Prince of Hohenzollern should
not mount the throne of Spain, when, in
March, 1869, there had been a question Of
his candidature. At that time the French
minister ct Berlin told the King that no Prus
sian could reign in Spain. Count Bismarck
replied that France need not concern herself
about contingency so improbable, and Herr
Won Thete, the Prussian under secretary oil
Foreign Affairs gave his word of honor that
Hohepzollern was not and could not be can
didate."
IF assurances thus solemn can not be relied
upon, diplomatic intercourse must cease. 10
regulating such pledges Prussia challenges
France, who now only demands, in view oil
previous tergiversation. that the former re-
nunciation Of her designs be made real and
permanent.
The circular, after declaring that history
must assign to Prussia the responsibility for
the war, which she had the means OF avoiding,
and which, while she affects to deplore it, she
has rather sought, concludes as follows:
''UndPr what circumstances has she done
this? 1t is when France, for four years past,
has RETAINED with almost exaggerated scrupu'
lousDess from invoking against her the trea-
ties concluded under the mediation Of the Em
peror, but to which she has failed to give q
voluntary support OF all the acts of the
Government Of Prussia, which has only thought
of the means Of freeing herself from the obli-
cations OF treaties even while signing them,
Europe has been witness. Let Europe pro
nounce upon the Justice Of our causes.