Year: 1871

the future, 1t does not, from some cause or
other, command the respect or WELD the autho-
rity which once it did.


The Conference which met Yesterday in
London was but a shadow of its great name
sakes of the past. There were present no
royal personages, no specially accredited
| pienpotentiares the glitter, the splendor,
the show, the pomp, the magnifcenee Of for
mer days were conspicuous by their absence.
At the same time it is fair to say that in the
appointment of the different Ministers now a.
the Court Of ST. James, representatives and
plenipotentiaries in the Conference we seem
to see the growth Of worldly wisdom, certain
commendsble foreshadowlngs of economy
signs, in fact, of growing common sense on
the part of the great Powers. Russian Cars
and Austrian Emperors and German Kaisers
feel and confess that in this age of newspapers
and general public enlightenment it is not the
glitter of a vain pomp, but the pith Of powerful
brains that governs the world.


Wisely, we think, the Conference adjourned
to meet on the oath. II was convened for q
special purpose. The plenipot entiares met



a treaty the terms Of which were most
bumiliating to Russia, which Russia in the
hour Of her weakness and sorrow could not
refuse TO sign, but which Russia, now that she
has found her opportunity, very properly
refuses to abide by. With France uarepre-
sented, the reconsideration Of the Treaty of
Paris would be worthless its annulment
impossible That the Conference has at last
taken shape, that the plenipotentiaries
| have actually met, we regard as an
encouraging and hopeful sign. To our mind
the simple fact speaks eloquently in favor Of q
speedy and durable peace settlement. The
postponement is unqnestionably mainly due to
the fact that In government circles it is not
believed that Paris can hold out for many
more days. At present, as we have said,
France is unrepresented; and even if Jules
Favre were in London 1t would be extremely
difficult to decide whether place should be
given to the Munster representative Of the
republic or Of the empire-to the agent of the
French government de facto or to the agent of
the French government de jure. The great





and kindly in inviting the government Of
National Defence to send representative,
On the part Of Lord Granville it was grace
full and courteous act; and we have little hesi-
tation In saying that IL will have a powerful
influence in preparing the mind of France for
cessation Of hostties. No one to-day
thinks unkindly Of France. Most men lament
her misfortunes. In the hour of her sorrow
and weakness she has fought nobly and well
| She has given proof sufficient that in other
| circumstances the tide of victory might have
rolled in the opposite direction; nor has she
any reason to abandon the hope that under
| wiser government she will recover her proud
and enviable place among the nations. The
men who now rule her, however, are as much
to blame as the Anen who formerly misruled
her and brought upon her all this disaster.
We have no desire to write unkindly Of Jules
Favre or Of Trochu; but we have no patience
with such demagogues as Gambetta and his
set, whose conduct justiAes us in saying that
they would rather see the worst calamities
befall their country, themselves holding the
reins Of power, than save her by letting them
go. 1t Is to be hoped that few days more
will make an end of Gambettas dictatorship
and restore France to herself and, Of course
to her better reason. Wisely, VIC say again,
and not without thoughts OF kindness for
France. has the Conference been postponed.
On the oath the Conference will reassem-
ble II Paris, meanwhile, has fallen the work





in The interval further postponement is more
than probability. Taking Il for granted, how
ever that on the Gath of this mouth, or on
some early day, France is fairly represented
in the Conference, and that the Conference
has settled down to work, the question be-
comes pertinent, What viii the Conference
do? 1t is, we think, with most men who have
been watchful of the course Of events In
Europe during the last few weeks fcregOne


conclusion that the Treaty Of Paris will be so
modified as to please Russia without endan-
gering the interests or wounding the suscepti-


bilitics Of the Sultan and his people. 1t is
impossible to say what side questions may be
raised; but that the Conference will consider
and solve only the Black Sea question is a
thought not for moment TO bs entertained.
Great Britain may have something to say
about Egypt. Austria may have good deal
! to say about the mouths of the Danube. But
after all has been done that can be done with
| the Treaty OF Paris the Conference will have