The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-05-25
THE TREAY 0E FRANKFORT,

The weighty arguments and tempting
considerations by which NJ. Jules Favre
induced Prince Bislnark to amend the
conditions OF peace are at last made pub
lie. That they were powerful was al
ready manifest from the result of the ne
gotlatlons which ended, as we announced
two days since, In definite treaty of
peace, In which the German Premier
changed his whole policy of harsh exact
ions, calculated, if not designed, to weak
en- France. He declared in the Imperial
Diet on April "a that he would not give
way to.any effort to modify the prelimi-
narles Oh peace, but the new treaty is full
OF concessions on the part of Germany.
These changes in his conditions, this
abandonment of a harsh and dangerous
policy, viii not subject Bismark to the
charge OF vacillation. Since he spoke in
April the whole aspect Of affairs In France
was altered, and with them Bismark
changes wisely too. The success of the
Versailles Government at Paris is since
then assured it has some time been hrm>
ly established in the Provinces, and is
already as strong in popular esteem as
any government France has had In a CEN
tury. These political and military con-
sideratlons. as well as those enumerated
in the treaty, have their influence In in
ducing Blsmark to change front, and
they will Justify him with his own people
and with the world.
By this new treaty the French indem-
nifty has been decreased by the amount
Of the overdue and unpaid installments,
amounting to over three-uuarterS of a
mi'iard of francs. A statement by NJ.
Theirs somewhat conflicts with this un-
official story, but the language Of the
French President is open to several con-
structions. The considerations exchang-
ed for this remission Of Indebtedness are
possession Of the Thionvile railway to
Luxemburg, the abrogation of the com
mercial treaty between France aud Ger
many, and the control OF the railways
in Alsace and Lorraine. 1t is further
intimated that France agrees TO the i'm
munlty from capture OF private property
On the seas; but this is practically only
matter of principle for future guidance,
and does not involve any large money
France has also been
aided to make the first payment of mil
lard of francs, due during this year, by
loan FROM the Frank fort bankers. Thus
the painful financial embarrassments in
volved by the preliminary treaty are over
come, apparently by sacrifice on the part
of the conquerors.
The immediate release Of the prisoners
remaining in Germany and the delivery
to the Versailles army Of the forts east
of Paris are military measures not less
important to NJ. Thiers than the 6nanci
al concessions. 1t renders his military
superiority at Paris unquestioned; it es-
tablishes his government throughout all
France, without faction to dispute its
authority. For the first time the Pio-
vinces will have conquered the mob of
Paris, which has set up and overturned
the Government for years, and herce-
forth the whole of France, and not a frac
tion of Paris, will rule the country.
Swelled by the returning prisoners, the
Army of Versailles will be able securely
to hold the delivered forts of Paris. and
hasten the conclusion Of affairs at that
point. With Paris suppressed, France
will be at peace, with strong republican
Government, cemented by boodshed, in
authority, and, if wisely directed, with
long lease of power before it.