The New York herald., 1871-02-02
Our Local FOREIGN Press ON the sttua-
ti0n In France.

| 1t is quite curious to note the sentiments of
the various journals published in this city in
foreign languages on the capitulation of Paris
and the armistice accompanying that event.
These are the more remarkable that they by
no means fulfil the expectation of casual and
hasty observers, who either have not the time
or do not take the trouble to keep themselves
thoroughly informed with regard to the
current of opinion, as it really Is among the
nationalties most directly concerned in the
Franco German war. The history of times
past must have been greatly garbled to suit
national or party prejudice, we are forced to
infer, when we perceive how often the voice
of vast masses struggling under our very gaze
may be overborne by the persistent clamor of
few who are not only nearer to our point of
hearing but are equally bold and noisy. In
the spring of 1870 the world, or large pro-
portion of it, was made to believe by par
tisan press beyond the ocean that oil France
was enthusiastic for the empire, while on the
other hand Germany was greatly divided, and
her southern kingdoms ready to resist the
overweening pretensions of Prussia.
In the summer it was discovered that the
empire was the merest bubble, that Its armies
were deficient in everything but sheer obedi-
ence to orders, and that Germany, instead of
being weak and divided, was overwhelmingly
strong and united. Now the same chorus
represents that public opinion is all one way
on this side of the Rhine and on that-here
for peace, there for war-and 0ice 0ers0.
Yet during this whole time there have been
contending views, but they could not be made
| visible and audible through the dust and out
| cry of the foreground AS our dispatches
| show, France is now not all for peace, any
more than she was all for war in July last
Nor does the profound satisfaction reign uni
versally throughout the German States which
] might fairly have been anticipated The
French and German papers of New York con-
vey very decided Impressions of this diversity
of feeling to any who may take the trouble to
observe their course for few days together.
The French journals, indeed, have been
singularly unanimous In denouncing the empire
and sustaining the republic since the catastro-
phe at Sedan; but through many articles, cor
respondenee and otherwise, the German
papers, while sustaining the cause of Father
land, have let it appear that there was no
slight apprehension secretly felt at home lest
the tremendous military system built up by this
war should be used against not only German,
but Continental liberty, were France so Grip
pied and Austria 80 overawed that the victor
could feel at liberty to do what he pleased
nation whose government is not in the
hands of the people is exposed to danger by
the overwhelming success even Of its own
standing armies. This is so common and
everyday lesson of history that it needs no
special illustration. Hence the papers espe-
cially inclined to German democracy are by
no means enthusiastic st the capitulation,
even while proud of the success of German
arms. On the other hand, such organs of
more general opinion, as the Stadts Zeitumg
and Journal, are elated, but not without
reserve because they see fresh peril in the
south Of France to spring up so soon as the
heavy stores of arms, of which only small
part has yet been received, shall have equipped
new hosts of desperate men. At the same
time the terrible losses that Germany has
endured, and which, as their letters and
foreign clippings intimate, have only been
half told by official statements, alarm these
journals no little We have some indication
of the distress that must exist among the
people at Berlin, Leipsic, Munich and else
where in Fatherland in the reaction which is
falt in o1 nir hor
that every expert is astonished at the dead
failure of the armistice news to make any
very marked impression.
The French journals without hesitation and
with one accord disclaim the idea of France
succumbng under this defeat. The Courier
des Etats- Umis yesterday followed up vehe-
ment article of Tuesday last with another one
more temperate in tone, but equally firm in
meaning, in which it broadly declared that
France will employ any truce that may now
occur in recuperating and in reassuming the
position of first class and commanding
Power which her geographical position, as well
as her natural wealth, entities her. The Mes
sager Frdnco-Amfricdin, representing more
peculiarly French republican sentiment, ex-
presses the same ideas still more radically,
and adds that it is through the republic that
France will recover her prestige and influence
GAS citizens of a republic" it says, ''we shall
have friends among all the nations who
aspire to liberty; we shall have coadjutors in
all the monarchical fortified places of the Con-
tinent." s'Let us show ourselves to
the world as rational and progressive republic,
and soon there will be no such divisions as
France, Prussia, Austria, Italy and Spain.
All these rival and hostile Powers will be
replaced by the United States of Europe, to
which the universal republic will rapidly sue
ceed."
There are thousands upon thousands here,