The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-12
The Frankfort Pence Trcaty-Tho Peace
Prospect In Europe.

The Frankfort Pence Trcaty-The Peace
Prospect In Europe.
Our cable dispatches to-day and yesterday
have been more than usually interesting. At
last apeace treaty has been signed between
France and Germany; and, so far as we know
its terms, the treaty is fair and honorable on
the part of France, and, just and generous on
the part of Germany.
Prince Bismarck, speaking for Germany, has
abated his demands. He has consented to
reduce the war indemnity by half q milliard Of
francs a sum equal to twenty million pounds
sterling, or one hundred millions Of dollars
More than that, he takes q bond in place OF
cash for four and half milliards of francs,
or nine hundred millions of dollars, payable in
one year. Germany, besides, consents, on the
ratification Of the treaty, to hand over to the
Versailles government the forts east and north
of Paris which she has held since the cessa-
ton Of hostilities, and to limit her guarantee
occupation to Belfort, Longwy and Nancy. 1t
is gratifying to know that the Rothschilds and
the changers on the French side and the house
ofHerr Hahn on the German side have already
taken up q large part of the loan. =
1t is impossible to overestimate the impor-
ance Of this treaty. BY restoring to the Yer
sailles government all the forts around Paris
Prince Bismarck has not only expressed his
opinion of, but killed the cause Of the Com,
mune. The treaty is q vote of confidence on
the part of Germany in the government of
NJ. Theirs and in the good sense and honest
purpose of the Versailles Assembly. Prince
Bismarck might have acted otherwise but,
acting as he has done, he has revealed some
what Of the same magnanimous disposition
which has found expression in the finished
work of the joint High Commission at Wash
ington. For Frances sake, for Germanys
sake we are delighted with the peace treaty
of Frankfort-on-the-M Main. It gives France
fair chance to recuperate, and, by honest
toll, willing sacrifice and patient waiting, to
regain her position in the family Of nations.
1t leaves the new German empire free to work
out its own glorious destiny.
Taking it for granted that France will in q
brief space Of time be restored te herself and
that some stable national government will be
established, it is not unnatural to raise the
question, What are the chances for continued
peace in Europe? The chances in favor of
peace, as we think, are numerous. For at
least half century France and Germany will
not meet in the battle field. Possible war
points in other directions. 1t is most singu-
lar fact that at this moment the peace DISPOSE
ton is finding universal expression. Not to
say more of the work Of the Joint High Com
mission and of the prospect of an amicable
settlement of all outstanding questions be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
we find Italy making peace with the Pope,
Russia making peace with Turkey, Germany
and Russia equally discouraging disaffection
in Austria. For years past the Slavonic
Russia for encouragement to revolt, and they
have not been allowed to look in vain but
within brief period the government of the
Gar has distinctly made 1t known that what
ever there is of the Slavonic in the Austrian
empire has become so Germanized that
to endeavor to undo what has been
done would be hopeless undertaking.
Again, Russia listens no longer to the CON-
plants of the Christian subjects of the Sui
tan. One other fact Of importance deserves
TO bs mentioned. The Roumanians, who
have been making the life of Prince Charles
so miserable Of late that he has on more
than one occasion threatened to resign, have,
by the united voice Of Germany and Russia,
been tcld that IL they do not content them
selves the forces Of the Sultan will be invited
to occupy the Principalities. All these things
taken into account, it is impossible to refuse
to admit that on the part OF the great Powers
the desire for peace is intense and the deter
mination to have it Is strong. Are there any
of our readers who will refuse to say
'Amen," when we express the hopc and
belief that the civilized world has entered
upon new era-an era of peace and pros
perity, Of contentment and universal good
will?