Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-03-15
THE WAR ENDED.

are open once more between Prussia
and France. War has ceased its
clarion voice, and the milder notes Of
amity are heard in both countries.
Napoleon is an oxiled prisoner, and in
a few days the Emperor William will
leave France for Berlin. In the mean
time, Paris is free from German sol
diers, aud they are slowly withdraw
ing behind the Seine, The occupa-
ton was Of brief duration, and, Tor.
tunately, il terminated without tu-
multi, disorder or bloodshed. Tho
German forces marched into the city
with all the "pomp, parade, and cir
cumstance Of glorious war" They
passed under arches erected TO com
memorate French victories, and halted
in front Of, and around buildings noted
in French history Thus William and
Bismarck CLEANED the last sheaf of the
red field OF carnage The bitter cup
of humiliation was pressed to the lips
Of the French people. 1t was bic
ter draught Since 1915 they have
been unused TO such things. Paris
has welcomed her sons as victors, not
looked upon q victorious foe in her
streets. The Crimoan war added to
the glory of France. Austria was
crushed and driven out of Italy by
French troops. These occurrences
fed the national pride, and they neg
lectcd TO watch events at home, 10
note how surely Napoleonic rule was
undermining the power and weight Of
France among the nations of Europe.
At last, Napoleon was called upon,
under his system, TO play his last
card. He must venture all to prop
his falling dynasty. He did stake
France upon the table. He threw,
and lost, and German troops marched
across the Rhine and Seine into Paris.
To free Paris and France, a treaty
has been made. That treaty cedes
land, and promises the payment of
money as indemnity for war expenses
Five hundred millions Of francs will
be paid By the middle of this month,
in order to free Paris from the prox-
unity of the German troops, and the
balance at stated periods, and under
certain stipulation. The amount is
large, but the yictors were exacting,
and France had 10 submit As to
territorial spoliation, that includes in
Alsaoe all the Department of the Bas
Rhin, and the whole of the Depart
ment Of the Haut Rhin, with the ex-
ception of a part Of the arrondisse-
mcut of Belfort, such exception inelu-
ding the valuable fortress of BeiiUrt.
/ In Lorraine there have been ceded the
greater part of the Department Of the
Mosellc, large part of the Depart
ment Of the Meurthe, and small
portion Of the northeast section of the
Vosges The Department Of the Bas
Rhin contains more than halfa million
of inhabitants, and is rich in agricul-
tural and other products. 1t has iron
mines and foundries, from which vast
accessions are made to the wealth of
France Several large and prosperous
towns arc situated in this Department.
The Haut Rhin Department is as
densely populated as the other ceded
province. The soil is held almost
entirely by small peasant populations,
Of whom thero are no less than one
hundred and scventy-four thousand.
lis total annual income from agricul-
ture is ffty-6ve million francs. The
iron interest is, however, the most
distinctive industry, and furnaces
flame out all over the country. There
are also many machine shops and
factories for the manufacture of woolen
and cotton goods, ribbons and pottery.
A great deal of wine and brandy is
! produced. The ceded part of the
Department of the Mosolle includes
I its principal cities and fortresses, and
by far the greater part Of its popnla-
o tion-probably four hundred thousand
$ out of its four hundred and 6fty-iwo
$ thousand Inhabitants. The value of
: its annual agricultural produce has
I been sixty four million francs, and its
2 iron mines and general industries are
. perhaps of equal value. Those por-
c iions of the Mourthe ard Nosges,
q which go to Prussia, are agricultural
,, in their character, and their principal
D importance lies in a strategic view OF
: the acquisition Such are the mate
< rial losses which France suffers from
J, the war, now happily ended. Ofcours'
D. the terms Of the treaty do not meet
b the appreciation of large numbers o
c the French people They feel tho
e weight of the chains, and express
= their sentiments in plain, emphatic
u language Tho Paris Debafs says
r o1n spite Of patriotism, Alsace, Ior
a raino and Metz pass under the contro
IT Of Germany. France cannot continu'
he the war. The future does not belong
a TO US, but the following generation
n will take vengeance. We can onll
'e saw, "Silcncc, Patience" But vi
d have no right to decide for future gen
n crations They can act freely, an,
al decide how to act" But France mus
ht face things as they are. Her hand
81 in the lions mouth. She must prepar
IL for its withdrawal with the least pos
I'D siblc laceration France now need
nj a stable government; a thorough re
m form in her civil aud military affairs
We the wedding out Of men Of no cons'
ep qucnce Ia the State or army, and th
oi elevation to power and authority q
ls, honest. intelligent, disintcrested cit
z, zcns who viii act for the nation, an
.h' not for their own pockets. II such
reform flows from the lesson just az
at minisiorcd to France, her future ca
he be forctold. Il will be more brilliat
hn than tho past, and far more substai
nd tial, because founded upon reality an
We not n sham.--Age
an
by
Ii Benninghof, who was robbed