The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-01-27
The End Apnroaehing.

Ihefe are reports that negotiations are
in progress at Versailles for the capitula'
tion of Paris, though nothing positive and
definite. Everything in the French stu.
alton lends probability to these rumors.
The armies from which the bcleagured
city hoped to receive relief have been
again and again, till finally and hopelessly,
beaten. Starvation IS too near to admit
Of longer hope that the siege can be
raised. The city Is exposed to the
German fire now on two sides,
This might be endured, but the assaults
of hunger are irresistible. Besides, all
motive for resistance has been lost inthe
utter hopelessness of relief Since the
crushing defeats of CHANzy and FAID.
IIERBE, the surrender Of Paris at an carly
day has been inevitable, and 1t might as
well have taken place . week
ago MS now. The delay has arisen
from the pride which postpones the inevi-
table modification to the last moment.
The people OF Paris have made stub.
born and heroic resistance; and If BA-
zAINR had done the same ut Metz there Is
no saying how different might have been
the fortunes of the French Capital anu
people to-day. The armies raised for the
relief of Paris might have accomplished
their mission II the surrender Of
Metz had not, ut q critical moment
released the army besieging there. But
the fortunes of war have been relent.
lessly against the French from the first.
Tho events that have transplred since
Sedan, however, have done much to re.
deem the military reputation Of the
French people which had been almost
lost by the events preceding. Not only
Paris but all France, since the overthrow
OF the Empire, Inns shown l. cour-
age and fortitndc worthy Of her
ancient renown, and one TINT has done
much to change the drit Of sympathy
which in the opening weeks OF the war
SET strongly III favor Of Germany. t'llt
The surrender of Paris, under the ire.
mendous adversely that holds her power.
less in It's grasp, will he n humiliation but
not disgrace like the capitulatiOn Of
Metz or Sedan. Everything that human
courage and endurance could do toavert
the calamity has been done; and IL
would be not only useless but wrong to
invoke the needless suffering and dcstruc.
tion Of lie and property that would result
from longer resistance. '..',J .I....
The German conquerers can afford to
be generous to their PROSTATE foe, and will
be unwise il they impose harsh terms.
They might in that way create u sympa.
thy with the beaten and resentment
against the victors that would do much to
shape the future relations Of the German
Empire with the rest of the world. The
present prostration and humiliation of the
French power and people are all any gen
crouS foe should ask; and tho diplomacy
of BISMARCK can be most advantageously
employed for Germany, now that the
war is virtually over, as we assume
it is, in smoothing the wayto peace that
shall not fatally wound French pride and
breed such lasting hatreds as to make 1t
the study Of the French people for the
next half century, how they may be
avenged. Deal gently with the fallen.
would be not only the noblest but the
wisest course now for victorious Ger.
many.