The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-02-01

| 40 ASSlct INV tuC IcSACt oocuIo W Uc tuut tuo
war was not ended by the fall Of Sedan and
the surrender of the Emperor. Since that
date the conduct Of the French people has, no
doubt, been heroic; but In spite of all the
heroism which they have been able to evince,
in spite Of the enormous sacrifices which they
have unquestionably made, disaster has fol-
lowed disaster in succession 80 swift and Of
character SO alarming that the war details,
whore they had not become revolving, created
| deep, strong, earnest desire for peace. 1t
| was difficult to hope for France after Sedan
1t was more difficult after the fall of Stras-
bourg. 1t was felt by many that the cause of
France was desperate after the fall of Metz
and the surrender of Bazaine. Since that date
none but the widest enthusiasts have doubted
that the complete subjugaton of France was
| only question of time, and, the same classes
excepted, the opinion has been geaeral that
| the prolongation of the war, so far as France
was concerned, was useless waste of time,
Of blood and of treasure. To-day even enthu-
siasts are quieted. With the capitulaton of
| Paris France has collapsed. Once more In the
history of la grande natio, Paris has been
found to be France.
| 1t is safe we think, to say that France was
never in her whole history so completely de-
feated as she is at this moment Was she
ever 80 thoroughly exhaustedp In the year
1914, when the English, Prussians, Austrians
and Russians encamped on her territory and
entered her capital in triumph, debating what
terms they pleased and imposing upon her a
government, France had had over twenty
years of experience Of war, either intestine or
foreign. The wars of the factions, guillotine,
the wholesale massacres, the a,oyades, the
wars of the republic, the wars of the empire,
in spite Of the stolen treasures which were
brought to France by the armies of Napoleon,
and, notwithstanding the assistance which was
obtained from willing or unwilling allies had
sadly told on the population and resources Of
the country. Relatively and in presence
of the foe she is, for all immediate
and practical purposes, weaker in 1871
than she was in 1914. At that date when she
succumbed to the foe she had not sustained
80 many crushing defeats-at least, not in SO
immediate succession. We have stated In
these columns already that careful calcula
ton would show that the losses of France,
including men and treasure, and taking into
consideration the destruction of her territory
and the effects that must follow from her ter
rible prostration and humiliation, are incalcu-
lably greater than any she has experienced in
her whole history. 1t is possible, in fact, that
France has suffered more from this six months
war than she has suffered from all her past
wars put together. However this may be, it
will not be denied that she never was so thor
oughly and completely whipped. Not during
all those months Of hard fighting has she won
single victory which could have any real
effect on the issue Of the campaign. All her
best generals and oil her trained soldiers are
| either destroyed or made prisoners Of war.
| Army after army has been raised; but every
fresh army has rushed afresh to ruin. By
those who think that Franco could and should
prolong the struggle it ought to be remem-
bered that she has only raw levies and mex
perienced generals wherswith to confront the
trained armies and veteran officers of Ger
many. It would have been madness for
France In 1914 to prolong the fight against the
allies. 1t would be greater madness to pro-
long the struggle to-day, for the reason that
whereas the allies were made comparatively
weak by mutual jealousy, Germany is strong
by unity Of organization, unity Of authority,
a unity of purpose.
tits vain to talk of prolongation of the
war. Lyons and Marseilles and the South
generally may feel bad but when even Gam
beta has given up the contest the South will
see the propriety Of accepting peace The
question Of the hour u.s. what is to be the next
| form of government? Amid the chaos which
at present reigns 1t is difficult to see how order
| is to emerge. To the war, which it is reason
| able to conclude has now come to an end, will
| in all likelihood succeed q war of the factions.
The moderate republicans, the red republicans,
4 the legitimists, the Orleanists are all at work
already. The Emperor William has acted
wisely in granting the French people permits
sion to elect National Convention. 1t was
the simplest way to get out of the difficulty.
1t was impossible for him to sign peace
treaty with the Government of the National
Defence. 1t would have been an open insult
to the French people to sign a peace
treaty with the representatives Of Napo-
leon. The plan which the Emperor has
| adopted gives the French people a fair oppor-
tunity to settle their own affairs. Their
destiny is once more in their own hands. The
elections throughout France are to be held on
the 9th Of February. The Convention will
open on the 18th. 1t remains to be seen how
France will conduct herself, first during the
election and afterwards In the National
Assembly. It is possible that under the
pressure which is now upon them order will
reign. 1t is just as possible that confusion
lxxiu dod- ~ H.