Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-18
WoRCESTE Err.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY Is, 1871,
Affairs m France.

The proceedings of the French national as
sembly indicate that the men who control it in
tend to make peace with Germany, before they
organize regular government. Until the peace
is secured, they will deal only in provisional ar
rangements. The conditions of the peace are
sure to represent the humiliation to which
France has been reduced by defeat. Alsace and
most of Lorraine must again become parts of
Germany, and other humiliating concessions are
indispensable. Therefore, the treaty OF peace
must precede the new government, in order that
the new sovereign may be as little as possible
mixed up with the war and its Notifying re-
suits. The dispatches tell us that there will be
a provisional republic" with Theirs as presi-
dent and Jules Favre chief of the cabinet Un-
der this provisional arrangement, the treaty of
peace will be signed. Afterwards, the assembly
will sit in Paris and take in hand the business
of establishing regular government.
The reports tell us that Theirs is supreme in
the assembly. This circumstance foreshadows
clearly what the new government will be.
Theirs is an 0rleanist, and his aim is to or
ganize a constitutional monarchy with the
Count de Paris as king; and we shall not be
surprised to see Jules Favre brought to accept
this arrangement as the best possible for
France under the circumstances. If all the
French republicans were like Favre, and none of
them capable of becoming Gombettas, the
French republic would now be possible Gam
betta's madmen have made it impossible, and
greatly strengthened the 0reanists. Bona
partisan is dead beyond all hope of another
resurrection. The first Napoleon made it an
enthusiasm, a French glory, almost French re.
ligion. Napoleon III has made it contemplate.
Itmade him emperor; he has made it an object
of ridicule and detestation. His recent procla-
nation is its last dying utterance. Its history
is aow completed. 1t will never again appear
in France as a political nuisance.
1t is a curious study to observe the very nery-
Gus movements of England, in connection with
French affairs. She wishes to interfere, or in
some way participate in the negotiations; but
how to do so is not easy to see. She has asked
thu German emperor to give her a complete
statement of the conditions on which he pro-
poses to make peace. This, certainly, was a
rare instance of impertinence. England has no
such connection with the matter as gives her a
right to make such demand as this, and little
more self-possession would have restrained her
rulers from making it. As it was, they received
what they deserved, fat refusal to answer their
question. The truth is, England is nervous, be-
cause she is conscious that she is not Of much
account in continental politics. Mr. 0do Rus.
sell, as John Bulls representative at Versailles
has failed to give the world very high opinion
of his wisdom. In fact, he seems to be lit
tie better than pretentious cockney. He has
assumed a tone in some of his correspondence
with Bismarck, which Mr.. Gladstone has found
it necessary to repudiate publicly. tits evident
that he is weak and shallow, as well as English;
and, very likely, Bismarck finds him amusing
and respects him to little to be angry at any
thing he may say.
Comparison has made France a trouble K
Europe. 1t has actively represented all the
worst elements in the character of the French
and made the nation what it would not have be
come under a difference influence. Itkept aiv
the passion for military glory, and the DISPOSE
ton to interfere and dictate in the affairs o
other nations. 1t has kept all Europe in stat
of apprehension and anxiety; for the "empire'
meant an assumption Of supremacy in European
affairs, and a perpetual demonstration of thu
assumed fact, that France, as a military power
was irresistible. 1t has passed away; and
henceforth, France will be wiser and Europe
more peaceful.