The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-03

Prince Bismarck's Profession OF Prussi nm
Neutrality Towards the Internal At
fairs Of Fra nee.
In the month OF october, 1871, Prince Bisma rex
addressed the German Parliament on the subject
OF Prussias best policy towards France generally,
and specially with respect to the operation OF the
Franco-German Convention ana treaty negotia-
tons of the same year. The Chancellor said
AS you will remember. we thought 1t as well
relative to the eventual substitution OF financial
guarantees for the right conceded to us to occupy
portion OF the French territory. 1t was even
then anticipated that under certain circum-
stances, such substitution might be m the in
terest OF both parties alike AS to France, there Is
tlOn. Ii does not only add to her financial abili-
ties, but also intereres with the consolidation OF
the existing state OF things To US, too II is any
thing but agreeable to have TO leave some divisions
Of the army in France. The burden may not be
we e rid ss \ ans sue
being the case, the French government sought TO
exchange the territorial pledge they have given US
ready to give their signatures for the $50 600 0O0f
due up to May |, In consideration OF provision OF
ment would not have objected TO make the sacrifice
OF 10,000,000f, which this arrangement involved,
but. unfortunately, the kind OF guarantee onered
by che capitalists in question not sufficiently
binding to be accepted by us. II 1t were to be OF
any use to us--in other words II It were TO in.
demnify us for the REIMBURSEMENT or territorial
pledge the signatures OF those financial gentlemen
ought TO have been given in such way as to
supply us with marketable securities But the
bankers insisted upon our not parting with their
bills before the day OF payment. Suppose we had
agreed 1t would have been dlfflcult to hold the
bankers responsible should contrary to our wishes
and expectations. the present state Of things
IN France have been shaken by violent
leagues could not help thinking that in
such a case the promise OF the existing
government OF France to provide for punctual pay
ment would not have been materially strengthened
by the conditional signature OF a banking house.
With the approval OF His Majesty the Emperor,
have therefore, thought that 1t devsved upon me
to devise another mode OF settling the matter.
The new arrangement lightens frances difficulties
without, In my opinion, exposing us to danger.
We evacuate portion OF French territory but
only on the distinct understanding that, II the
terms OF payment conceded by France be not ad-
hered to, we are entitled to reoccupy the aban-
doned departments. In the meantime the evacu-
ated territory is declared neutral ground, and
troops just SUFFICIENT to insure the maintenance
OF order and quiet. think may say that In tns
wise we hive rendered a material service
70 France. and have assisted her In the
nestle politics. l congratulate myself
the more on this result, inasmuch as do not con.
slider IT our task to weaken our neighb0r beyond
the degree absolutely required to insure the nam.
tenance OIL peace. On the contrary. think III our
duty and our interest to DO France good turn
whenever we can, and to enable her to recover
with our own safety. / likewise adhere 20 tne
principle enumerated and approved by you iast
Spring-the principle that the demestlc anairs Vi
France are no concern Of ours and tnat " docs noI
behoove us to NEEDLE with them exceps wnere our
own interests require to be protected therefore
hold that we should be rcapng no advantage-at
any rate, advantage that would not De counter
balanced by many and sensible dsadvantages-
were we to insist upon the continued occupation
OF large portion OF france, Win view 70 lnnp-
ence the internal AFFAIRS OF the country.