The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-14
The French Army Review-GermRny
and European Peace.

and European Peace.
The special cable dispatches to the HERALD
from Paris describe the review of the French
army at Longchamps yesterday and as this
is the second review during the administra-
ton of Marshal MacMahon it is an event
which deserves the attention given it The
French army was annihilated by the Ger
mans only a few years ago. Paris was
captured, and the victorious conquerors re-
turned to their own country, leaving behind
them devastation and chaos Who thought
then that France would recover 50 soon her
former strength and not only pay the taxes
of war imposed upon her by her foe,
but rebuild an army out Of an
archy and dissolution and seem to men
ace once more the peace of the Continents
We have never believed that this was the
policy OF the Republic though under i'm
perial rule nothing could have been more
logical. The interests of France are all GEN.
tired in peace, and in q long peace. War
could only profit the Bourbons and the
Bonapartists, who are worse enemies to her
interests than even the intensely hated Ger
mans. The foes of republic are always
embraced in its own boundaries,
and Liberty, like Cleopatra, always lays
upon her own bosom the poisonous
asp. Therefore we have never thought the
wonderful recovery Of France from the recent
war, the development of her industry, the I'M
exampled rapidity of the payment to Ger
many Of the indemnity that was claimed, in
any way meant that restoration of the country
meant war Nor now do we see any reason
to suppose that the rebuilding of the
French army has any other significance than
that Of preparation for defence, on CONT
nent where every nation seems TO go armed,
like o bully, with a pistol in his belt, and
where Germany holds one weapon at the head
Of the Pope and another in the face Of
France.
Although forty thousand troops we're re-
viewed at Longchamps, and the display of
cuirassiers, light cavalry and infantry was
superb, there is no military menace in the
event. Double the number Of troops
garrison Paris, but the government did not
display them. 1t was q parade as peaceful
in its purposes as any that we have in
New York when the Governor of the State
reviews our reg iments from the City Hail.
But it was also intended as some indication to
the revolutionary parties in Paris and to the
other nations Of Europe that France is not
crushed as q military power, but that she still
retains her courage, her patriotism and her
genius of organization. The Saxon races may
subdue, but they cannot obliterate the Latins,
a.d France is resolved TO vindicate her right
to place among the great powers of Europe.
This was the purpose of the government, and
the policy deserves the approval of friends
of republicanism in tho Old World But
that the army did not fully execute
these intentions is too plainly shown by our
reports Of the grand review. We are told
that impartial judges openly assert that the
military superiority of Germany cannot be
disputed by the friends Of France. We
learn that the military spirit of the
people is not the fiery threat which
it was before the late war and that more
pleasure was taken in the brilliant show than
faith was reposed in the actual force it was
supposed to represent Paris was gay yester-
day but where we're the shouts of glory and
revenge that in other days made the grand
army fash an unsheathed sword in the horror
dazzled eyes Of Europe? The sword was
in its scabbard The army paraded not as a
menace, but as a consolation for defeat 1t is
the opinion Of a French general that France
could not now safely 60 to war with Germany,
and that if she did the battle would be lost
before il was fought No voice was raised Tor
the recovery Of Asace and Lorraine; no
cry was heard Of son to Berlinl" and
MacNahon rode down silent lines, which
echoed no longer the tumultuous shouts with
which Napoleon was inspired 70 challenge VIC
tory or ruin The review proved renewed
military strength, but it equally displayed
comparative weakness, and it meant nothing
more clearly than the desire Of France for
peace.
This display Of forty thousand soldiers near
Paris was the most emphatic answer France
could make to the recent German rumors that
she was anxious to revenge her defeats at
Metz and Sedan and the capture of
her fair capital There is little doubt
but that Germany intended to force
the disarmament OF France, aud now
France shows how little reason there
would be for that action. She may defend
herself, but she would not presume to attack.
The peace Of Europe is not threatened, but
rather supported, by this tranquil exhibi-
ton Of the military force Of France. In
recent session OF the House Of Commons Mr..
Disraeli was enabled to make the formal
statement that England had made representa-
tons to Germany 10 reference to the relations
between that country and France, and that
the effect Of this action was 70 maintain peace.
This official statement from the chief Of the
English government is an amusing commen-
tary upon the assertions Of various foreign
correspondents to the effect that the recent
difficulty On the Continent was . panic and