The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-07
Germany, France and the Peace OF
the Continent.

We print certain letters this morning from
Brussels which will be read with curious
and painful interest. These letters antici-
pate our cable despatch yesterday repeat
ing another despatch from Paris to the
London Times in reference to the
condition of public opinion in France and
Germany. According to this despatch, which
was written in Paris, on Wednesday, the ut
most uneasiness prevails in all we'll informed
French circles. 1t is said that peace or war
will depend upon the approaching meeting OF
the Gar and the German Emperor. Germany
We are informed, is controlled by the military
party. The leaders of this party feel that
the treaty after Sedan was too lenient; that
the money they received from France has re-
turned to that country; that the retention OF
Belfort is dangerous to Germany; that
France is recognizing rapidly and will
soon have o formidable army; that
Germany cannot long bear the expense
of her present military system, and at the
same time dare not disarm in the face of
France. The military party argues that there
should be a prompt war or march on Paris
and a new treaty taking from France Belfort,
limiting her regular army and compelling her
to pay two thousand million dollars more
within twenty years, for, they say, 'There
never was O moment more propitious than
the present to secure for Germany long era
of prosperity and peace" They contend
that Europe will never be tranquil while
France is allowed strength enough to revive
and re-enter the struggle, and that 'what
now could be executed at Insignificant sac
rifce would, two years hence, cost oceans OF
blood" AS to the pretext of renewing the
war with France, the military party is puzzled
Even Germany cannot fight against an enemy
who declares for peace; but the military party
insists that the Emperor should demand new
treaty, "a reassuring treaty" from France, or
renew the war.
The London Times comments upon this re-
markable letter of its correspondent, depre-
eating his apprehensions but in the first
place no correspondent would send despatch
of this kind unless it were based upon good
authority, and, more than all, it is logical in all
its aspects Beyond this the views of the de-
spatch are those of our correspondent There
can be no doubt that the military party in
Germany has viewed with disappointment and
alarm the results OF the recent war. France
has surprised the world Bismarck and
Moltke felt that they had crushed that coun-
try, and they were men not apt to form an
opinion without deliberation and knowledge.
Bismarck had been a minister in France and
he knew the country we'll The fact that he
was disappointed in the operation of treaty
which he believed would destroy the French
power shows the possession by that people of
qualities that have not generally been ac-
knowledged.
The mistake, however, on the part of Bis
marck was not in making too lenient treaty,
but too severe one. When he entered upon
the war the Emperor publicly declared that
his only aim was to attack Napoleon. When
Napoleon fell the Germans, by o magnani-
nous course, by accepting his downfall as
full punishment, by contenting themselves
with annexing that part Of Alsace which is
German, without interfering with Lorraine,
might have made France their friend. In
other words, if Bismarck had dealt with
France in the same spirit with which he dealt
result would have been the downfall Of the
Napoleonic Empire, the rise Of an alliance
between France and Germany which would
have been better guarantee of peace than
all the ornaments on the Continent
But, yielding to the spirit Of military sue
cess and revenge, the German policy became
ruthless and the German leaders deliberately
imposed upon France a treaty which was
meant TO be her humiliation, to cripple her
for generations and throw her back into the
condition of a second class Power. Bismarck
frankly avowed this purpose, saying that of
course France would want TO fight again, and
when the time came Germany must have every
in the blaze of our civilization, after having
made this blunder attempt to renew it by
a wanton war upon France? A war upon
France now would array the public mind Of
the world upon the side Of France. II would
be q cruel wicked, wanton war. The French
have paid their indemnity. They have sub
mitted to the loss Of their territories. They
have observed every international obligation.
They have stood insult after insult from Bis
marck without complaint, and now simply to
strike France because her people have shown
patriotism, vitality and energy, because they
are reviving from the miseries and misfor
tunes of the war, would be o crime against
Christianity.
Nor are we certain Germany could, in re-
newing the war with France, repeat the sue
cesses Of her last campaigns We do not
underrate the value Of the German army and
its marvellous discipline and the genius which
handles II. The time was when republican
France, torn with anarchy. fought combined
Europe, and among them the soldiers and gen.
erals of Frederick the Great, and defeated them
all II Germany bids France to the contest
shn rriii ind her rival only too ready II is