The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-02

borrowing power of France depends absolute
ly upon how thus fact is disposed of, aud
whatever indemnity she may agree to pay, 1t
will only be under the most enlightened
Government tha; there is the slightest posi-
bility Of her being found able to do so.
HARsHNESS OF THE TERMS OF PEACE
FROM On, N. Y. World
The ruthless severity of Germany in her
treatment of her prostrate victim is almost
universally condemned by the press of this
country, ana 50 far the cable has yet given
us the means of Judging it is equally repro
bated in England. 1t is unworlh hy of great
and magpsnimOus people, like the Germans,
and confirms the general opinion of the
bsughty arrogance of Bismarck aud the des-
potic selfsbness Of his imperial master But
it is quite accordant with their known char
scter that, III the hour of triumph, they ''feel
power and forget right.
The march though Paris is a trivial thing
in ITSELF but, being trivial, it might have
been forbuIne. Ii can bring no advantage
to Germany, and tends to exasperate brave
and sensitive people. Ou every ground Of
expedienCy it is ImpolitIc, for IL interferes
with that submissive acceptance of the terms
of peace which is equally for the interest of
Germany aud of France. 1t Is a mere display
of triumphant insolence, rs insulting to the
fallen as it is proftless to the viotors, aud
alike repuguant to heroic magnanimity and
Christian civilization. What possible good
can it do anybody thus to pour vitriol on the
wounds of bleeding France, and rake the
enbers of national animosity? The true
rule was aptly expressed in one of Jeffersons
terse phrases IN our immortal Declaration of
enemies in war, in peace
friends" If Germany desires relations of
friendship with France now that the war is
ended, why should she make this exaspera-
ting display Of triumphant insolence, of no
advantage to her aud pestilent emOarrass-
ment to the French authorities intruSted
with the preservation of peace in the con
quered city We .allude TO this barbarous
parade because 1t exemplifes the spirit of
the conquerer, and displays the arrogant
temper which has dictated the terms of the
treaty. 1t Germany will not spare France
humiliation which is OF. no advantage to her,
self, she If course has not been consderate
or magnapimous in exacting more substsn-
tial penalties.
The cession of territory and important
fortresses expected, aud is accordingly
acquiesced in 10y the public opinion of the
world on the same principle that men accep5
accomplished facts. But the cession is
nevertheless exacted on false pretenses. II
is not necessary to the future security of
Germany who was strong enough to defend
herself before, and is now doubly strong
by the consolidation of her empire and the
prostration of her neighbor. She has
taken Alsace aud the fortresses, not be-
cause she has anything to fear from
France, bnt only because she is covetous
and strong. II is an application of the
old burbarous maxim that might makes
right. We do noSdispute the right; but it
is the right of conquest, that is to say, the
right of the strong 10 pilage the weak. Gar
many would not dIatrust her ability to defend
hersel if the fortune of war had not given
her this advantage. In the address which
Napoleon made to his soldiers when he went
to the front to take command in the latter
part of July, he saiJ:-"rhe war which
now commences will be long and hardly
contested. for its theatre will be places
bedged with obstacles and thick with for
tresses." This was uttered at time when
the Emperor had complete confidence in his
army and in the victorious suthciency of his
military preparations, and may therefore be
accepted as a proof of the great defensive
strength Of Germany with her former bonn
dares. If her means of resistance against
France were 80 formidable when France
ranked AS the first military power of Europe,
the same places hedged with obstacles aud
thick with fortresses" would be surely ade-
quate for defense against crippled and de-
bilitated nation. Germany has not
taken Alsace aud the French
fortresses because they are necessary
to her safety, but because her sword is sharp
enough to defend her rspacity. A nation so
strong should scorn the cant about future Sc
curity, and say with honest arrogance that
she dismembers France by the right of con-
quest. There is always something respecta-
bic in truth, and an honest avowal of real
motives.
The pretense that the heavy money exac-
tion is meant as an indemnity for the ex-
penses of the war is also sailing under false
0Olors. The money exaction is in truth
nothing more nor less than extreme exer-
else of the right of conquest. We do not
dispute the right of conquest: it is unques-
tioDably a part of the laws of war. But
Christian civilization and modern public
opinion have outgrown the barbarous code,
and it is for this reason that Germany seeks
to gloss over her conquest by canting
pretenses Quite apart from conquest
and Indemnity, she is a great gamer by the
war; 1t has raised her to the first rank
among European nations. II has covered her
with military splendor which Germans will
regard as their proudest boast as long as Ger
many exists as a nation. 1t hedges her abont
with formidable prestige which protects her
against future assaults. 1t has reduced her
most powerful neghbor To- an inferior rank.
1t has enlarged the area and consolidated the
strength OF great nation. Ii Bismarck, the
shrewdest statesman of Europe, had it in his
power to restore the status qlt0 of the 1st of
| July, by accepting full money compensa-
tion for all the expenses since incurred, he
! would scorn and deride the offer. There is
not a statesman in Germany, there is not a
! statesman out of Germany, who does not be-
| lieve that this war is worth to that country
! ten times its cost.
The additions which its successful prose-