The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-15

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cable are intended to cloud rather than make
clear the truth. For a long time, at
least since the withdrawal OF the Ger
man troops from the French soil, there
has been an apprehension that there
would be a renewal of the war. The
reasons for this fear were inspired by
the course Of the Germans. They
found that instead of crushing France by
imposing treaty of indemnity and annexa-
ton unheard of in its severity they bad really
given the people new life by teaching them
discipline, patience, thrift and courage. The
Emperor of Germany, himself one of the
proudest monuments of the royal system,
and opposed to every movement that looked
toward dminution OF royal splendor found
that in destroying an empire he had created
republic, and that no amount OF internal
commotion or outside menace could destroy
this Republic. In every point except in the
evanescent glory which comes from successful
| campaigns the Germans have really lost IN
their war with France. They had. won five
milliards of money, but it had fallen upon
them like rain upon the sand, leaving only
barrenness. At the end of the payment Ger
many was as poor as ever, and the real
benefit of the indemnity Injured to England
1 and France They had won Alsace and
part Of Lorraine; but of what use were these
two French provinces, whose uneasy, restless
condition made them a source of constant an
noyance to the Cabinet at home and living
protest against German influence in all the
nations of the world?
Not only had the policy of Germany created
this Republic, but it had, by introducing re-
ligious questions into its own internal affairs,
divided its people upon the one point which
men never discuss without passion. We do
not pretend to read the mind of Prince
Bismarck or to know what he meant
to gain by war with the Roman Church.
II certainly seems to us to have been wanton
and foolish undertaking. 1t has resulted in
dividing Germany as irrevocably as the North
and South were divided upon the question of
slavery before the war; We can understand
how Prince Bismarck might have aimed to
emulate the example of Frederick and place
hims eli at the head OF the evangelical religion
in Europe aud in alliance with the Protestant
Powers, and in that way appeal to the SYM
patty of England aud America and other
Protestant countries. Naturally he would
seek to repeat the triumphs of his predecessors
in dealing with the Catholic nations of
Europe The controversy between Bismarck
and the Catholic Church always seemed to us
to be a paraphrase Of the conflict between
Luther and Leo Y Luther represented Ger
man nationality in antagonism to Italian
nationality. This reformation, considered from
the broadest point Of view, was more Of
political than o religious success. The mis-
take which Prince Bismarck has made in fore
ing this war upon the Roman Catholic Church
is that he deals with the nineteenth and not
the fifteenth cent>cy. The spirit Of enighten-
ment and progress Of thought, while it has
diminished the power Of al religious
systems by limiting the influence Of
priests, has at the same time
brought with il q larger liberation. 1t
was easy enough to generate religious war
in a country governed by soldiers and monks
/ on the one hand and inhabited by ignorant
\ peasants on the other. II was easy enough to
lead vast armies Of uneducated fanatics into
\ Syria and Palestine TO die in defence Of the
i Holy Sepulchre. But what was the purpose
Of those times is 4 sentiment now. Prince
Il Bismarck erred in this, that instead Of lnitlng
\ Germany against the Pope and the Catholic
\ Church be has divided it by jarring that
sense Of fair play which was wounded by the
\ persecution of the priests and the bishops.
I Consequently there seemed no possible way
to release Germany from her seli-imposed
embarrassment but war. We cannot but
look with alarm upon the danger the peace Of
the world has escaped. II seems that the
military party in Germany had resolved upon
demanding from France certain guarantees ia
reference to the purpose Of her ornaments.
Il the event OF that demand being refused
/ they counselled the insian- invasion Of France
and the occupation Of Paris. This accom-
phshed, il was then proposed that there
should be an indemnity 50 large that it
would take twenty years Of the French
resources to pay it In addition to this
there would b. a prolonged occupation Of the
countries bordering on Belgium and Asace,
q reduction Of the army IN France and a
guarantee signed by the great Powers that
they would compel France to respect the basis
OF peace. Such q proceeding would be, Of
course, in the eyes Of the world, wanton
violation Of justice and right The Germans
had a plain answer for this. 1t is an
answer that it would be difficult 70 deny
They reasoned clearly enough that al that
France wanted with soldiers was 70 fight, and
that the only Power they cared about fighting
was Germany. Therefore they argued that If
war we're to come better now. when they are
ready, Than FIVE years later, when France Is
ready IF, said the Germans, 1--WE have to
renew this. contest let rs 10 Il when
We have tho assurance Of victory, and Let rs
not make peace until We have put France
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