The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-01-04

| great But at the nrSt cneck, Wnen Iney are not
going along with opinion, their fall ia inevitable.
This result has been produced as well under the
second as under the first Empire. Both must OF
necessity fall ; enterprises which they we're pur-
suing were unjust. As to the affirmation Of NJ.
de Bismarck that the Empire was coerced by
public opinion, the very facts give him an un-
qualified denial Consulted at the time of the
Legislative elections of 1869, the people had af-
frned in the most energ etic manner their love of
peace. The same tendencies were shown, and
very explicitly, at the time of the pebiscite of
the 9th of May, 1870, to such an extent that two
months afterwards, the Government had for the
first time for many years to reduce the contin-
gent of the army.
This concession, demanded by the state of
feeling proves with all the evidence of an actual
fact how far France was from all warlike ideas IN
the month of July. The renewal of the councils
general had again, short time previous, furnished
a fresh occasion for the display of these uspira-
tions. But we even possess an official document
which proves in the most formal manner that, far
from having been led away by public opinion, the
buipiiNf vi tue SOuhidi1 was SSltOuSi1 pcipltAcu
to know if it would be followed by it. So little
was i: assured of its obedience, on a declaration
of war, that it was thought necessary to take its
opinion expressly on this subject. The Projects
received orders to report to the Minister Of In
terror the impressions caused in the departments
by this sudden news. Their replies published
since that time in the Journal Obfciei, after the
2nd Of October, leave no ground for any doubt
% The first impulse has been astonlshment and
surprise, wrote one Prefect. Others say "This
news bursting forth in the midst of profound
calm, has caused great emotion" War is con-
sidered so great scourge that We do not wish to
believe it." The ardent desire of maintaining
peace displayed itself everywhere Il believe
that at bottom we dread war; wrote one of the
most populcus and enlightened of the depart
ments. " 10 one, said another Prefect, wishes
for war, should it be the result of the great social
uneasiness that is spreading over the country"
" This country wants peace also writes another;
" 1t will only accept war with repugnance = and
Others in the same style: "The population GER
tainly do not want war, and long ardently for
peace"
Everywhere burst forth this sentiment that
we would only accept war if it was for the honor
Of the country. We clung with eagerness to the
last hope of peace. When it shall be proved"
writes prefect "that everything has been tried 10
arrive at this result unavahgly, we shall decide
to submit to the consequences Of a collision of
which we are afraid" We could multiply cita-
tions. Out of SO projects reports, II only men
ton complete appreciation all the others betray
The same prejudice, OF the same repugnauce. This
then is an incontestable fact. Thus it remains
that France did rot menace the in
-egrity of Germany her history for more than
lalf century proves it so on all its pages. She
never meditated cOnquests aspirations of an OPP
oosite nature animated her; and in fact even
while her disposition did not urge her to it, the
dearest sense Of her interest compelled her to
,acifc course. Such is the nation against the
ncursions of which NJ. de Bismarck wishes to
protect Germany, and the territorial dismember-
nent of which appears to him the only safe
guarantee for the tranquility of the German
,eople. The line of the Rhine, according to him,
5 no longer sufficient; he wants the line of the
osges and the Moselle. He must have, now-a-
AYE Alsace and Lorraine, and this at the very
ime when Germany has just changed her interior
constitution. After 1915, Europe already dread
ng the expansive force of the German people,
trove to give her Germany Constitution. the
asis of which was exclusively organized on the
eiensive and France, although the treaties of
Jenna were directed against her, was left in the
tate she is found now. Her northern frontier,
icing Germany. is entirely open. The results
the present war furnish indsputable proof
this. And while France has modified nothing
! her organization, Germany has raised herself
he most formidable State power has ever at
lined: Absolute military unity, personal and
rect action from the leader who bears the sword
command, military service obligatory on all,
e ask whether France or Germany is now the
enacing party Not more in 1870 than in 1892
as Prussia had need to guard against the attacks
France 1t is without doubt that the Prussian
overnment seeks rather offensive facilities than
stter lines of defense. One does not see well,
fact, how Germany would be better protected
scause her frontier would be carried further for
ard. In case of invasion the country. occupied
ould then be the territory annexed to Germany,
I'd the scene of action would simply be carried
ON one province into another; and what would
: the result of these violent annexations of terri
ries which do not wish to cease being French?
'ithOut speaking of the sentiment which is re-
ignant to every honest mind, of thus seeing
'pulations submit to a nationality contrary to
eir aspirations and their past it would tend to
erpetuate war In fact, is ii possible that the
cling Of France could ever be aenated from
'untries which having so noby borne so many
isfortunes and SO glOriousy shed so much blood
e united to her by bonds which caLnot be
oxen. The turmoil which would arise from this
Ould agitate Europe. without the possibility of r
'ping henceforth for one moment of repose 1t
clearly seen in the setting forth of such preten-
Ons, demanding such concessions NJ de Bis
arck is making for himself new wars which are
'cessary to him in order to attain the end to
hich boundless ambition is hurrying him on.
hat the German people want is. national unity
ID political liberty liberal France could not be
posed to this 1t is just cause. and we would
repudiating our past policy if we were to op-
'se it. Bat there is an abyss between these
q H., I,