Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-08-24
GERMANY AND FRANCE.
How Germany Views the French
Loan.
Rram tha Pail Mall Ga zette .H fNH

Although Germany is more interested
in the success OF the French loan than
any other nation, France itself ex-
cepted, the qualification felt in political
circles in Berlin has been tempered with
grave concern. OF course. it is satisfac-
tory to the Germans that they are sure
of their money, and certain, therefore, of
the ful6llment of the terms of the late
treaty; and as they have reserved the
option Of deciding as to the how and the
when Of the acceptance of a financial
for territorial guarantee, they are not
bound to evacuate the Department of
Meurthe et-Moselle and Belfort, even
when France is readyto pay the rest OF
the indemnity. Nevertheless, the tone
of the German press and the echoes
from the capital, prove the existence of
very mixed feelings. The French press,
perhaps naturally attributes this to
Jealousy and spite. Needy and greedy
Prussia, which was unable few months
ago TO float small loan, is envious of
the confidence which Europe feposes in
La Grande Nation. " 1t may be the
case that the Germans are not above
such small sentiments, but there
is a more serious side TO their dis
satisfaction, SO far as it is real If the
subscriptions to the loan had been con-
fined to France we do not fancy that
Berlin politicians would have cared
greatly, though it had been covered
twelve times over But the vast proper
tions of the foreign subscriptions intro
duced political element into the mat
ter. Germany has no wish that it
should seem as if the verdict of Europe
were in favor Of France, as against the
Fatherland. Now, although no one else
may interpret the success Of the loan in
that light, it is every way probable that
the French themselves will, 1t willnot be
difficult to persuade them that Europe
not only sympathises with them in their
misfortunes, but that it has united to
give them the means of regaining their
old aseendancy. Thus the cry Of Re-
vanche" may be encouraged by an
operation which ought TO be viewed as a
purely financial transaction, for we may
be sure that European capitalists who
have subscribed SO largely had no inten-
ton of helping France to reconquer Al
SAGE and Lorraine. 1t is the fear that such
results may be produced on the volatile
and enthusiastic Gaul which for the most
part explains whatever uneasiness is felt
In Berlin. When the National Gazette
says athe French Loan is the greatest
humbug that has ever been seen" more
paltry feelings may be at work; but
these are chiefly confined to the press
Prince Bismarck, it may be certain, is
only anxious in regard to the effects of
the wonderful success of the loan upon
the French people. And with his ac-
customed astuteness the German Chan
celloris already using means to coun-
teract its influence in this direction.
The meeting of the, three emperors in
Berlin next month may be due to the in
itiative of Count Andrassy, but what was
at first carefully described in antic-
ipation as mere visit of courtesy, with
no political effect, is being now magnified
by the German press into matter of
immediate aud very grave political i'm
portance. Indeed, the organs Of the
Chancellor plainly insinuste that the in
terview of the three emperors is design
ed to counteract the effects of the loan
upon the too exultant French. The po-
litical character Of the meeting is indi-
Gated by the announcement that, in ad-
dition to the emperors Prince Bismarck
and Count Andrassy, and latterly, it is
said, Prince Gortschakof, will also be
present. arf @r. teiaI