The New York herald., 1871-10-31
British Opinion Of Thiers Poll

British Opinion Of Thiors' Policy.
The refusal OF President Theirs to modify the
treaty was expected In England. leading London
journal, writing in the early days of the present
month (october) on the subject made the following
remarks:-
to induce the governments OF the States 10 which
France Is bound by commercial treaties TO assent TO
him to seriously propose to the National Assembly
prOtectionis tariif Is matter OF public notorety.
N. Pouyer Quertier's financial scheme confessed It,
and Lord Granville practically announced at the
dinner OF the Golden Club III July that the English
government had been pressed by the French Am
knew therefore, that M. Tniers and his Minister had
endeavorcd to abuse the sympathy England feels for
France in ner present position to obtain from the
English government notifications OF the Treaty of
1860 France has not asked and would not value but
to which M. Thiers, who only the other day
declared that protection is passion with him, and
M. Pouyer-C Cuertier, who became notorious by de-
nouncing the English treaty Tor the damage it did
naturally attach very considerable importance.
Bat we did not know the case OF the
Sa ac want mat YOU SaS 10
modify The treaty, and If you VIII not do 1t we Will
give notice to terminate it, Under the peculiar
circumstances OF France such notice would not
have been received in England with irritation or
surprise We should have said, SIT is quite right
that the french nation should have the opportunity
OF determining for ITSELF IN the critical condition In
which It Is placed, Its commercial and financial
English manufacturers and merchants suficient
notice 70 save them from any considerable l0ss If
M. Tniers on assuming power had taken that
course no one would have complained; II
after failing to obtain from the English gov
ernment the concessions he asked ne, had re.
sorted 10 IL we might have condemned such q
sacrifice or the interests OF France to M. Theirs
crotchets and NJ Pouy er Quertier's profits; but we
must have allowed that they only exercised their
right. NJ Theirs, to describe his position as accu-
rately IS It is possible, holds power OF attorney
from France to manage all her transactions with
foreign nations and II IN "denouncing" the treaty
he had consulted his own views instead OF the in-
terests OF France, that would have been matterf0r
France to settle. But NJ. Thiers did not take that
dition OF politicians who can seriously attempt
to Justify by these words proposal to raise
considerably the duties upon several classes
Of manufactured goods, and, IN fact, to re.
store to the French tarir its old protectionist
characters Has the utility OF return to protection
been shown by experiences Would that res
toration OF the protectonist system which NJ.
Theirs and his Minister avOwedly aim at not
be iD the strongest opposition to the spirit and
PRINCIPLES Of the treaty. It Is quite unnecessary
should have resorted to such plea, and that 1t
should be put forward in MS interest in England.
is the astounding part of the business. The only
explanation Is tnat NJ Theirs Is afraid to put an
theories are approved by the country, and that
he ventures nothing for them but this paltry plea
and this appeal dd rlSericordidm. II France likes,
as we have said, to change her commercial system
nobody mas any right 70 complain. II, in order to
have her hands free TO do what she wills in the
matter she gives the notice which will terminate
the treaty with England, she only exercises her
clear right, although 1t would be but acting up to
the spirit OF her engagements with England to wait
before giving that notice, until the time came when
she could give similar notice to Switzerland and
other states whose treaties have yet few years to
run.