The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-30
Tho RcpOrtcd Alliance Betwccn Germany
Austria and Italy-The Duty of France.

Austria and Italy-The Duty Of France.
The reported alliance between Germany and
Italy, and the good understanding between the
Emperors William and Francis Joseph, which
Count Beust has done 30 much to promote, are
full of deep meaning, especially for France.
Protestant ascendancy is now stronger in Eu-
rope than at any time since the Reformation of
Martin Luther. The PRONUNCIATION of the
dogma of infallibility, and the idle talk about
Papal supremacy in political affairs, have done
something to arouse this feeling; but the atti-
tude Of France toward Italy is in the main the
reason for it. Nothing Is more natural than
that Victor Emmanuel, menaced by the repub-
lican National Assembly, should at once seek
the powerful aid of Germany. Neither is il to be
wondered at that the crowned heads of Europe,
including the Gear and the young King of the
Spaniards, should look with little favor upon
French experiments and French ambition
All the European governments, Catholic and
uon- Catholic alike, look with the utmost disfa-
vor upon republicanism, and are resolved
upon the complete isolation of France. If the
French are wise they will suffer but little from
the republic successfully it is necessary that
France should forget the policy of the past and
forego all such projects as the restoration OF
the Pope to his temporalties and French domi.
nation In Italy.
The mercural temperament of Frenchmen
makes American republicans despair of the
success of the French republic. 1t is plain
to us that France has yet great destiny
before her if she quietly and cheerfully
accepts her isolation and gives all her energies
to the work in hand. Republican France is
as yet republic only in name At least
three distinct dynasties menace it, and many
powerful foes would rejoice in its downfall.
There is safety only in wisdom and mOdera-
ton, and these must be exercised in preserving
peace at home and in keeping clear Of all
foreign complications. Even the despoiled
and separated provinces which Germany has
appropriated must be given up forever. Old
enmities must be forgotten, and the very isola-
ton which Europe is forcing upon the republic
can then be used to make new friendships for
France in the West and secure for her COM
mercial alliances more lasting and important
than the alliances of kingdoms and kings.
The coming age will be the age of CONNER
cial alliances Already the Treaty of Wash
ington has paved the way for a long friendship
and an era of uninterrupted commercial inter
course between England and the United States.
If France is true to herself she can at no very
distant day unite with these Powers in triple
alliance more significant than any joint atti-
tude which may be agreed upon by Germany,
Austria and Italy, The future Of France, as
of Great Britain and America, is commercial
future: while that Of Russia and Germany is
one of mere territorial aggrandizement. In
the one there is the promise of peace, pros
| perity and happiness the other can lead only
| to war and bloodshed, and in the end to dis
| Indignation. And thus, by pursuing the paths
| of peace, France will secure noble revenge
| without being compelled to strike hostile
blow. This has always been the policy OF
| America, and it accounts for our consistent
refusal to intervene in the affairs of other
nations, and even for our apparent apathy
| when we had cause of war. or late years
England has pursued like policy, and has
| Cabinets of Europe The world is fast ap-
preaching an epoch when statesmen like
Machiavelli and Metternich, and even like
| Palmerston, will not be needed. Prince
| Gortchakoif, Prince Bismarck and Count
Beust are only needed to perfect the alliances
are overthrow. France, England and Amer
lea have only to look on in peace while the
other Powers grasp after greatness and fail in
| their boundless ambition.
Any understanding upon the basis laid at
Gastein, however complete it may be in the
beginning, must prove very insecure. Even q
| common hatred of liberal institutions in
France cannot cement it, and nothing but per,
| sistent hostility and feebleness on the part Of
the French-such as that exhibited in the Ma
tional Assembly on the Roman question-can
long hold it together. Despotism believes it
can force Bourbon or Bonaparte upon the
fallen throne of France if it unites in with
holding all favor and sympathy from the
French people. Only madness and instability
can bring about an end 80 disastrous but we
confess that we doubt whether France can ''ac-
cept the situation" and turn this forced isola-
ton to good uses.
But this reported alliance is a subject upon
which we may well doubt. Italy would be
glad enough to make it, because of the dispo-
sition evinced in France to continue French
tutelage in Italian affairs. But would Germany
so far defy the ultramontane party in the en-
| nre "a onenlv tn agree to il? Count Beust
seeks to cultivate friendly relations with Ger
many but it seems certain enough that Russia
and Prussia have secretly determined, sooner
or later, to gobble up the Austrian empire az
the three Powers seized upon Poland. The
probabilities are about evenly balanced; but