The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-09
THE ADVANCE ON PARIS.

THE ADVANOE ON PARIS.
The Prussisns steadily continue their advance
on Paris, and as there are no French armies
capable of resisting it, the invaders will soon
be enoamped under the walls of the capital.
The great problem Of the war is what is to
follow this foregone conclusion. If wise
oounsels prevail, the natural result will be a
speedy peace, without further devastation
and bloodshed. Already there are signs of
such termination of this extraordinary
campaign. There has usually been an i'm
piled understanding among the continental
nations that close approach to an adverse
capital should be the signal for termination
of hostilities and the Prussians set
out with the intention of con-
quering peace by forcing their way to
the environs of Paris. The moral effect of
the triumphs they have already achieved is
manifest not only in the downfall of the En-
pire, bat in the suppression of the clamor
made before the battle of Sedan against any
negotiations whatever, and in the surrender
of the doctrine that the invaders must be
forced beyond the Rhine before a treaty
could be framed. It is rumored that the
new French authorities are now willing to
loss of French territory, and instead of the
mediation of foreign powers being contemp-
tuously rejected, it is earnestly solicited by
the new Republic. There is o rumor that the
diplomstio corps will go in body
to the King of Prussia If they can agree on
terms Of adjustment, and another that the
Ministers of Italy and England will under
take this friendly Office, while another state
m ent AYERS that M. Theirs has gone as
volunteer diplomatist to the camp of the in
vaders. These statements show at least the
drift of public sentiment in Paris, and as
there are counter rumors from Berlin and
the headquarters of the German army giving
outline sketches of the conditions likely to
be demanded it is fair to assume that both
parties are convinced that the time for
negotiation is near at hand.
If King William confines himself strictly
to the object he announced at the commence
ment of the war, the future security
of Germany, there need be no trouble
whatever in concluding peace. If he marched
bis army home without word on the subject
of treaty stipulations, there would be little
danger of another French attack Oh Germany
during this generation, for written guarantees
or territorial acquisitions will add little weight
to the ssnguinary lessons taught at Weissen-
burg, Gravelotte, and Sedan. The French
are so completely at his mercy, however, that
he will be strongly tempted to make extor-
tionate demands, and it remains to be seen
whether he can be as msgnanimous in the
hour of victory as he was terrible in war.
II conditions are imposed which the repub-
lilo cannot possibly consent to, its fortunes
are, at the worst, not absolutely desperate
The present fortihcations of Paris were
erected at vast expense for the express pur-
pose of enabling Fran ,e to prolong contest
after all her armies in the field were de-
stroyed. If engineering science is not at
fault, and if the preparations which have been
made during the last month have not been
grossly exaggerated, the capital can be de-
Tended even against the conquering army
now approaching it. Time can at all
events be gained; allies may be found by
the republic among nations which refused to
assist the empire; England, Italy, Austria,
and Russia may resent the disdainful recep-
tion of their remonstrances; the chilling
blasts of the autumn and winter months may
diminish the vigor Of the invading armies;
France may yet organize out of her raw
levies effective forces; and the whole aspect
of the war may be changed.
II will be better for the Prussians, if they
merely regard their own interests, to destroy
the possibility of such complications by
framing at once an advantageous treaty.
They have humbled France, and they will
gain little, while they may lose much, by
driving her to despair.