The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-31
Favre's Negotiations With Bismarck.

Favre's Negotiations With Bismarck.
Continuing his full and graphic report of the
ever memorable events which transpired be-
fore the French capital last week, our cor
respondent at Versailles sends us special
despatch, narrating, in lively, animated
style, the negotiations between M. Jules Favre
and Count Bismarck. By way Of intro
duction he alludes to the conflict of
feeling on the part Of the French in YER
sailles. We can very well understand how
they hesitate between joy at the approaching
termination of the war and the deepest
anguish at the surrender of Paris and the
humiliation of France But this uncertainty
of feeling must finally give way to brave
resignation. There will be mourning enough
in bereaved homes, not only in Versailles, but
| throughout France, without the entire nation
giving way to grief over disaster SO utterly
beyond repair, that nothing could be more
criminal than resumption of hostilties on
the termination of the armistice.
Leaving Versailles and the joys, sorrows
and anxieties of her citizens, our corre-
spondent enters into the details of the capitu-
lation and armistice negotiations. NJ. Favre's
meeting with Bismarck was full of dramatic
interest. 'Well, Monsieur Favre." said the
Prussian Minister, ''what is the object of this
visit?' Whereupon Favre, deeply affected,
declared that his object was to put stop to
the terrible sufferngs of his country, as Paris
had lost hope of relief from the pro-
vinces. What change this detection pre-
sented from the naughty demeanor of the
French republican leader in his first inter-
views! However, Bismarck was magnanmous
and even sympathetic. When Favre de-
manded permission for the garrison of Paris to
march out with the honors of war he frankly
admitted that he could not approve the de-
mand but he promised to lay the matter before
the Emperor. That done he assumed a
| sociable air, dismissed business and proved
| himself generous foe by inviting Favre to a
substantial dinner-a good Square meal"
without, we hazard, such delicacies as
fricasseed rats and dog chops. to which,
doubtless, Favre, as patriotic Frenchman,
had limited his menu for several days pre-
viously.
But in spite of the courtesy and considera-
ton thus shown the iron hand was felt beneath
the velvet. Favre was placed under surveil-
lance; he was not permitted to hold commu-
ncatons with any person, and the Mayor Of
Versailles who endeavored to have an inter-
view with him, was threatened with arrest if
he did not abandon his design. Of course the
Emperor William at once rejected the French
demand and submitted his terms, which were
| finally accepted. After Bismarck left the I'm
perial Council with the acceptance he entered
| the Office Of the chief aide-de- camp "and be-
| gan whistling the Prussian shullah, which
| is blown at boar hunts when the beast is
down" Doubtless this was diplomatic way
of informing those present that the French
boar was down, for he never spoke word.
| But if Bismarck was elated the Emperor of
| Germany was not. "Eac0re trop de ball.
ger7ae, he observed in troubled tone, when
| he had finished reading the terms of captula-
ton which had been arranged the night pre-
| vious between Favre and Bismarck. And
| doubtless the old Hohenzollern monarch had
good reason for thinking that there was too
much humbug in the document. The real
trouble was all over, however. Paris had
surrendered and the triumph of Germany was
complete.
What will follow the armistce is now
the great question. Our correspondent
thinks that Bismarck's thirteenth trick will
be the imperial regency, with which he
expects to win the game. Favre and the
other gentlemen of the pavement" he does
not trust. In them he can see nothing but the
seeds of future trouble with France. How he
will play his last remaining card will be made
known before long. The chances are that he
will trump the republican knave and the Or
leans deuce with the imperial ace.