New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-25

representative.
PEACE
The hrmistice was Peace. All Che world
| knew there would be no resumption of hos
I tilities in France at the conclusion OF the
! three weeks rest from pillage and slaughter.
| The war had exhausted one nation and GRIP
| pied the other. and from both cOmbatants and
from all the rest of Europe looking nervously ana
amazedly on wondering where the conilagratlon
| of war would next extend there went up an
earnest prayer for peace. But while the ne
gotiations could end in nothing else, 1t was
greatly to be feared that the pOsitiveneSs-say
the arrogance of Germany, if yOu willard the
pride or blindness of France would present
insurmOuntable obstacles TO tho happy COnclu-
sion of a true, honorable peace which Europe
might reasonably hope would prove lasting
and blessed This grave danger has been
avoided in the negotiations which the great
statesman of Germany has been conducting
for days past at Versailles with MN.
Theirs and Favre. the bravest and strongest of
frances pilots come to the helm at last.
Concessions have been wisely and gracefully
made by Germany, and will be undoubtedly
accepted by France, and tho negotiations
have virtually ended in peace whose con-
ditiOns Germany can cOncede with safety and
France accept without further humiliation
There is hardly a doubt that the Assembly,
| Judging from ts past actions and its political
complexion, will confirm the preliminary agree
mcnt signed at Versailles, and that the formal
proclamation of Peace will be made by tho
| Emperor with praise and thanksgiving to-day
or tomorrow.
Tho ceSsion of Alsace and part of LOr
raine has been insisted upon by the Germans
az q matter Of course. The same political and
military reasons which suggested this demand
Immediately after the successes before Metz,
| exist to-day in even stronger force than then.
| The campaign has shown anew, and 80 plainly
| that unmilitary minds III Germany now com
prehend how absolutely essential the passes
Of the Vosges which the MOselle and its fort
resses cover are TO the protection of thePaatinate
and South Germany. ThOnville, Metz, Lune-
yille and BelfOrt form n line Of defense which,
| though weak approached from the Vosges, is
| formidable to an enemy coming from the
champagne country. These considerations
were not lost on Won Moltke; Bismark himself
has told us how, early and strongly. be was
impressed with this strategic view which
silenced all doubts Of the propriety
and policy of making tho war in
any sense ono of conquest. Lost long
ago to Germany through the treachery of dis
| affected German Princes and the aggressons
of France, there was the strong argument OF
precedent to silence all scruples in the Ger
man mind as to retaining them after they
had been conquered. France, in conscnting to
part with them, Injuries her true interest less
than she hurts her false pride; for Ger
man in language and literature, they
were German by every material and
natural bond. Bismarck might have made
| and enforced other more obnoxious conditions
than this cessiOn of territory, but less than
this Germany would not let him do; more of
concession France could not ask him to grant.
If any are wrOnged in this forced restitution
of stolen territory, it is the people who are
transferred with the property, not France; and
it is not yet settled by any fair election OF
free interchange Of opinion which side the
conquered provincials prefer to go with.
The indemnity claim is moderate, considering
the great sacrifices which Germany has been
unnecessarily forced to make. From two mil
lizards of thalers it has been reduced one-half,
and two-thirds of this sum have been RENTED
in consideration of fines and acquisitions and
debts. The sum which France will have to
pay is still enormous, and will tax her indus
tries for some years to pay but no one will
doubt that the war expenses of Germany are
far from being cancelled by the indemnity she
has insisted upon.
The most gratifying condition Of the peace.
thus far known, is that in which the Germans
abandon all intention of marching into Paris.
There IL no need for German soldiers TO carry
relics of Paris homo to prove to their grateful
countrymen that they have conquered Franco
and it's Capital. Their triumphal march through
the city would have proved nothing; it would
have been mean qualification, unworthy of
soldiers, gone with the hour that witnessed it
and would have aroused in the French heart
hatred which ages would not have assuaged.
Another welcome ASSURANCE Of peace Ia con-
tanned in tho order for the liberation of all
French hostages. There are numbers of French
citizens. officials and others of rank and
wealth. who have been arrested and held a.
hostages for tho payment of acquisitions on
various cities. a custom of war in Europe re-