Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-02-24
France and GERMANY"

Under this title the Westmia,sfer Rerietr
Tor January has lively article on the origin,
the progress and the probable results of the
great war which since last July has so in
tensely occupied the attention Of the whole
civilized world. Begun By France with the
intent TO humble Prussia and prevent the
consolidation Of the German states, it was
accepted by Prussia both to defend herself
and to put France in position in which
she would be compelled for generations
to come to abstain from entertainments on
the peace and stability of the Northern GOV
ernments of Europe. At the Outset Of the
war, the two nations, says the writer, were
far more equally matched, 50 far as ropula-
ton and wealth are concerned, than per-
haps is generally supposed. In moral power
the advantage on the side Of Prussia was i'm
mense. France under the corrupting in
fuences Of the system which has long pre-
vailed there, intensified as they have been
under the second Empire, was in as unfit
condition fer waging the war Ter Emre-
ror ioolishly began, as q rich and populous
nation well could be. Prussia. on the other
hand, was in the highest state of prepara-
ton, and with & force in reserve almost
incalculable The failure Of France. to
those who were thoroughly informed as to
the real condition Of tie two powers, could
hardly be doubtful, though few could have
anticipated that the progress would be so
rapid, and that the humiliation of France
would be so swift and thorough. Ger
many now has her discovered states consoli-
dated into union Of great power-thc
work being fastened by the very action of
France, entered upon on purpose to prevent
it. As for France, whatever may be the
form Of her government hereafter, she has
lost her prestige as the leading power on the
Continent, probably forever. For long time
she viii baye all that she can do to sustain
herself at home under the terrible losses
she has lad to undergo, and tie crushing
burdens which her victorious enemy Will .
force her to bear.
Il was to be expected that Prussia would /.
demand, if victorious that the provinces Of l
Alsace and Lorraine and the cities Of Stras- /
bourg and Metz should hereafter belong 70
Germany, as safeguard against future
French invasions The policy Of war, the /
writer q the article under notice thinks, /
would justify that but the claim Of the
Prussians to acquire them as a Just recovery
Of the possessions OF a former age, be egi-
IDENTIFY does not think much of That prin-
oiple, if followed out in Europe, would make
change in Europe which Prussia herself
would be slow to favor Neither is it very
tina, with every advanced step
in the victorious career If the Prussian
.rmies Bismarck has enlarged his demands;
and nothing thus far indicates that they Will
be reduced il the snalles; particular. The
Wild desperation with which france has
made vain sacrifices to zepel the invaders,
has only served, as it nov appears, to make
he hand Of the victor more heavy.
We have 10 room for an analysis Of the
.rtiele which We axe noticing. We can
.uly recommend its rcrusal 70 those who
Leslie 70 trace oa- the -tefs " which France
lnder 10th despotic and nominally con-
titu;ional government has g-ateally lost her
'ower, notwithstanding her gain Of material
wealth under the second Empire. With the
1ss Of her power comes also the present loss
f material prosperity, no, to be recovered
Or long time. Whether SIZE viii be under
ny better g5ye-nueat-whatever may be
g form and name-is yet at least very
1ubtful Though the war helps to make
1wsrfal German Empire, We fear that h;tle
p iitieal liberty is to follow. The Hohen-
lle1 Is are devotees Of desp5t!sm, and Bis
arck is the very emboiimen; Of that prin-
pie. as his public lie Las asundautly
.Own