The New York herald., 1871-02-27
The German Terms Of Pence.

OuA ucoPotoHoo iIom 1 dIis, Ny Wuy VI LoH-
don, enable us this morning to announce with
certainty the conclusion of treaty of peace
between France and Germany. The terms
differ little in their general features from
those originally reported. They are how
ever, considerably modified. Instead of de-
manding the whole of Alsace and the
greater part of Lorraine, Count Bismarck
has been content with the cession Of "Alsace
and Metz" Nothing is said as to any other
part of Lorraine than Metz; but we suppose
that all of the territory along the German
frontier west Of the fortress to the base of the
Vosges Mountains is included in the cession.
1t may even be, as the despatch only gives
the outline Of the conditions, that the part Of
Lorraine ceded is that originally demanded
by Germany. This included all the territory
on the right bank of the river Moselle to
point near Nancy, which city was to re-
main French. From this point the line was to
continue in southeast direction past Epinal
to point southwest of Belfort, whence it con-
tinued east to the Swiss frontier. One modi-
fcation is evidently certain, and that relates
to Belfort, which is to be restored to France.
Belfort is part of Alsace, and is situated in
the Department of Haut-Rhin. The abandon
ment of the demand for this fortress is an
unimportant concession to France, because
the Germans retain all the passes of the
Vosges on the south.
TIE war indemnity is fixed at five milliards
of francs, or little less than one Thousand
millions of our gold dollars This amount
will doubtless be heavily reduced when all
the war contributions levied upon the people
are deducted To insure the fulflment of the
conditions it is agreed that a portion of
French territory, including some of the for
titled towns, shall remain temporarily in
possession of the Germaas-a precaution
usually taken by victorious enemy. The
entry of the German army into Paris to-
day is also made q condition, but, if we
understand the despatch correctly, the Ger
| mans are limited to the occupation of the
Champs Elysees.
Such are the conditions Of peace agreed
upon by Theirs, Favre and Bismarck. If they
| are adopted by the Assembly peace between
France and Germany will be Immediately
proclaimed That they are severe is unde-
niable; but they possess the merit of greater
| liberality than was expected. France cannot
get better terms, because Germany will not
grant anything better, and France has no
allies to back her in resisting those agreed
upon at Versailles. True enough, rumors
are current in Northern France that
England has interfered with regard
to Metz, declaring that the fortress
should not be ceded to the Germans" This,
however, is evidently an idle rumor. Distaste-
full to England as any aggrandizement of Ger
many may be, she would not interfere at the
| eleventh hour in matter which would likely
involve her in war. Hence we regard the ru-
NOR as fiction. Doubtless most Of the great
Powers sympathize with Frances but they
cannot help her. She must, therefore, accept
the terms with as good grace as possible, get
| rid OF the German armies and apply herself to
the reorganization of her government, the re-
pairing of her waste places and the develop
ment of her resources. NJ Theirs and the
| Consultative Commission were to have gone
to Bordeaux with the treaty on yesterday.
The Assembly will probably act upon their
report to-day, and as the majority are mode
rate in their political ideas and ardently desire
peace we expect that their action will be
favorable to the closing of the most disastrous
| war France ever engaged in.
| CUBAN ATRooITIEs-THE REBELLION IN It's