The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-12
Tho War In Europe-Peace Negotiations
in Progress.

Out Of the varying and conflicting stories
telegraphed from Europe we think 1t may
safely be assumed that there are negotiations
| in progress to obtain the consent OF the King
| of Prussia to an armistice, preliminary to the
arrangement of treaty of peace. 1t seems
now to be regarded as an absolute fact that
| Austria aud Russia are, through their respec-
tive Ministers at Paris, endeavoring to effect
| that result. These Ministers are said to have
! had frequent interviews with Jules Favre, the
head of the provisional republican government,
with view to induce him to propose certain
terms, to which Count Bismarck is pledged in
advance to accede. What these terms are has
not been given out, but 1t may be assumed
that they do not involve the loss of territory
by France-for both Russia and Austria have
declared against the further aggrandizement
of Prussia-nor the humiliation Of ignoring the
republican and restoring the imperial govern
ment, for of course no such proposition could
be submitted or accepted without qualification
on both sides.
1t seems, too, that Count Bismarck does
reference to the status of Napoleon, but is
willing to treat with the provisional govern
ment as the de .tacto government of France.
1t is even said that the delay in investing Paris
has been quietly arranged by Bismarck in
order to get time to overcome the Kings obsti-
macy in that respect If there be fair allow
ance Of truth in these telegraphed statements
then we may concur in the opinion attributed
to one of the French ministers, that the siege
of Paris is an improbable event.
A very singular circumstance in connection
with the peace negotiations is that the English
government holds aloof from all participation
in them, and is said to encourage King Will
liam in his avowed intention to ignore the ex-
listing republican government in France and to
treat only with Napoleon. That is course
of policy which, if persisted in, may shorten
the existence of monarchical rule in England
and bring about, sooner than might otherwise
happen, the establishment of republic in
that country.
1t seems, too, that Notwithstanding the great
success Of the German arms in this campaign
the war is beginning to be regarded in Ger
many as a terrible evil, and that great anxiety
for an immediate peace on almost any terms is
making itself felt in all classes of the ccmmu-
nifty. This condition of the popular mind will
possibly have its effect on King William, and
make him less obstinate and exacting than,
under other circumstances, he might prove to
be- From the operation of these various
causes there is something like probability
that the siege of Paris, with all its inevitable
horrors, will not be pressed to the bitter end.
Nevertheless the preparations for that event
are not slackened on either side. The Ger
mans are gradually drawing closer to the city,
and the French are resorting to every means
to make O protracted and successful defence.
Nor is that defence to depend entirely on the
fighting men inside the walls. A large force
is being formed in various sections of
the country, intended to operate against the
besieging army. The citizens Of Paris are
represented as being. serious and resolute, de-
termined to defend the city to the last ex-
tremity and not to consent to the cession Of
foot of French territory and there seems to
be growing confidence in their ability to
make successful defence.
Under all these circumstances, with Metz
and Strasbourg still holding out, with the i'm
menss losses that his srmy has undergone,
with typhus and cholera doing their work in
thinning the ranks of the Germans surrounding
Metz, with the uncertainty of the result of the
siege of Paris, and with the dangers that are
floating in the political atmosphere Of Europe,
the wisest and best course for King William
to adopt is to offer fair and liberal terms of
peace to the French republic, withdraw his
armies and let Louis Napoleon return to pri-
vate life. If he will not do this, but will per-
sist in his intention of destroying or capturing
the fairest city of the world. he will rouse
feeling of indignation which may not be ap-
peased until his and every throne in Europe is
shattered and the people everywhere have
resumed their rights.