The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-03-18
LEPzIG. Feb. III, l87l

reality not possess that character which
the purveyors of the news should like
them to have and think fit to stamp up
on them, An armistice and capitu-
lation are two things which have MOTH
ing whatever to do with one another,
and even exclude one another. A gar
rison that capitulates cannot conclude
an armistice, and garrison that con-
cludes an armistice does not capitulate
If Paris had capitulated in the proper
sense Of the word, we could not have
heard Of an armistice In conjunction
with this fact. 1t is true, In Paris is
the government of France; but in con-
sequence of the government having
been enclosed in Paris together with
the garrison, the government could not
conclude an armistice for France, after
this garrison had capitulsted. The
fact is, the capitulation Of Paris and the
armistice are not the result Of the mill
etary actions of the Russians, but of
regular peace negotiations, into which
Count Bismarck has been forced to
enter with the French Republic, fos-
tered by the conviction that to destroy
the Republic was a hopeless task, and
forced by Austrian and English medi-
alton, which had az last become SO
pressing as almost TO be menacing,
and which was driven to a final and
decisive effort by Count Bismarck's
dispatch refusing Jules Favre Prus-
sian pass to the Pontus Conference.
This dispatch, insulting to the French
government and its representative at
the Conference, was not less insulting
to the neutral powers, especially Eng
land and Austria, who had, to the dis
gust Of Prussia, insisted upon the for
NAL invitation of France to the Confer
ence, and carried their point in spite
of all Isso Russian opposition. The
Austrian and the English governments
combined for a common and very en-
ergetical protest against Count Bis
marck's dispatch, and further, for a
still more energetical protest against
the continuation of the war and Count
Bismarck's plan, to restore Bonaparte.
Count Bismarck would, perhaps, have
given a clustering reply; but the
King-Emperor, Crown Prince and
other influential members of the I'm
perial headquarters, being thoroughly
sick Of the war, were inclined to listen
to reason, and SO the offer of mediation
was accepted. At the same time the
neutrals were active in Paris, and here
also the mediation was accepted. The
first interview between Jules Favre and
Bismarck had nothing at all to do with
the capitulation of Paris, except in ar
Indirect manner. Its object was solely
10 fnd basis for negotiations of peace
and under the pressure of the neutra
powers the following agreement wal
arrived at:
4 L. Paris, which was unable to hold
I out much longer, had simply to lay
down the arms, the besiegers are no
allowed to enter the town, and the sol
diers Of the garrison are not treated a.
prisoners Of war, in acknowledgment
of the fact that in case the interview Of
Favre and Bismarck came to nothing
the effective divisions of the garrison
would have been able to break through
the Prussian lines.
2. Armistice of three weeks.
8. Election of Constituante.
The territorial question, it appears
was not touched upon.
The Constituent Assembly, which il
to meet at Bordeaux within fortnight
after the beginning of the armistice
shall decide whether the war is to b.
continued or defnitive peace con
} Guided on the conditions which in tn
meantime are to be fixed by mIlitar,
and diplomatic representatives o
France and Prussia, with the moral ali
of the neutral powers.
There il very little doubt that til,
' hhASAASC W III ACdU W a blGdby VI POdCG
By cOnsenting to leave the territorial
question an open question, Prussia ha
made a concession Of decisive moment
and removed the great stumbling
block of all previous negotiations anC
mediatiOns. OF course l do not sup
pose that Prussia has given up he
plans OF annexation, but | think Lux
emburg will, with the assent of tn
neutral powers, be substituted for Met
(Lorraine) and with regard to AL
SAGE, some arrangement must be dis
covered acceptable to both parties.
narrow strip OF land on the left bank B
the Rhine Will, perhaps, have to be sac
. rifced by France, and The rest neutral
lied, or what other device cunnin.
diplomacy may hit upon.
, Even if the conditions should no
meet with the approval Of the majOrit,
! Of the COnstituante, yet continuation
of the war is nearly out of the question
for it cannot be denied that Jules Favr
= and his Partisan colleagues by thei
: one-sided proceedings, without frs
J consulting Gambetta and the Bordeaux
delegation, have broken the unity ex
listing till then between all fractions y
, Democracy, and thrown France upvl
the mercy Of the neutral powers. Tha
} it has long been understood so il
! Paris is shown by the late popular dem
Onstrations, which were so cruelty sup
| pressed, and in the government procla
nations, 50 unjustly branded as tn
| work Of PrussiaE agents. However
; about these unfortunate conflicts ther,
. is still SO little known that | will no
venture upon any reflections to-day
The mutual relations Of the ditferen
t parties, especially of the Honnetei
(Honest) Republicans, the Bourgeoi
Democrats, Of Jules Favre's color, tn,
Radical Republicans Delecluze. Felix