Year: 1872

Excitement I'm Germany Over the Po-


iitical Crisis in Francc-Is the


Franco-German War To no Re-


newcds


The HERALD special report from Washing
ton published to-day will be read with interest
by all, and not without some concern by those
who would look upon renewed disturbance
of the peace of Europe as calamity to the
world. Our dispatches leave no room TO
doubt that the German government has
adopted positive measures to prevent the emf
grafton of its citizens to any foreign country,
and that the reason given for this action Is
the apprehension of renewal OF the war
with France. For some time past Germany
has been striving to check the tide OF
emigration which has been steadily rising
since the restoration of peace. Her efforts in
this direction have been regarded with dis
favor by the United States, and our represen-
tative at Berlin has received instructions to
protest courteously against the policy as ap-
parently unfriendly towards the country in
which the German emigrants mainly seek
future home. These remonstrances have been
met by the reply that the action Of the Ger
man government is strict military necessity,
and now Baron Schlozer, the German Minister
to the United States, has officially communi-
Gated to the government at Washington the
fact of the practical prohibition of further
emigration, and the explanation that re-
newal of hostlitics with France is believed to
be so imminent as to render it desirable that
no person owing military service to the State
should be permitted to leave Germany France
is represented as being in a condition Of in
tense excitement over the tumultuous contest
in the Assembly and the anticipated resigna-
ton of M. Theirs, and fears are entertained
that Austria would side with the French in the
event of an uprising against Germany. Baron
Schlozer appears to have unburdened his mind
in somewhat undiplomatic manner upon the
subject during an interview with one of the
resident Ministers in Washington. The sub
stance of his remarks were that, in the event
of rising in France. which would inevitably
follow the resignation of M. Theirs, the cry of
revenge against Germany would ring over the
whole land. The evacuation Of great por-
ton of the border territory by the German
troops leaves the frontier without security
against invasion, and to escape further pay
ment of the indemnity as we'll as to win back
Alsace and Lorraine would be objects worthy
of an effort on the part of Frenchmen.
As to Austria, Baron Schlozer thinks Schles-
wig Holstein sufficient to induce her to side
with France against Germany. At all events
he states distinctly that his government ap-
prehends trouble with France, and deems it
prudent to keep its fighting population within
its own reach.


While we do not undervalue the signih-
canoe and importance Of this information we
are disposed to believe that Germany's appre-
tensions are at least premature Our cable
dispatches convey no indication of a rising in
France, but on the contrary evince hopeful
ness of peaceful solution of the present diff
culties by a compromise that will leave
N. Theirs still OF the head of the govern
ment. No doubt Germany keeps close watch
on French movements and is we'll informed as
to the intrigues of parties in France. Her
interests require such precaution. But even
if the breach between the Assembly and the
President should prove irreconcilable and to-
day should bring political revolution at YER
sailles, it seems beyond the bounds of reason
that France should plunge again into for
eign war or that Austria should tempt fate by
joining in such hopeless contest. The over
throw of M. Theirs at this time would be a
misfortune under any circumstances. It
would bring to head the jealousies and enmi-
ties of rival factions. Imperialists, Orleanists
and legitimists, who can bear with NJ Theirs
and constitutional Ministry that may serve
to lead The public mind back to the form of
monarchy, leaving their own strength to be
tested hereafter, would join in open war against
decided republic, with Gambetta at its head
The real republicans, on the other hand, may
content themselves with Thiers but would
never peacefully accept o government of dis
guised monarchists, who would only await the
opportune moment to appear in their true
character. A military dictatorship under Mac
Mahon might be accepted temporarily, through
fear of the army, but could only be the precur-
sor of revolution or restoration. All these
evils are threatened by the resignation OF M.
Theirs; but no misfortune it could bring
upon the nation would be so heavy
as renewal of the war with
Germany. The whole civilized world would
cry out against such an act Of madness. In
deed, the idea seems chimerical What gov
ernment could take the army into action?
What would become of its fortunes at home
while its forces were in the field? France has
been doing well since the war. The admins
tration of M. Theirs has been an
astonishing success. But France is not
yet her own mistress. Her plotting
factions are the enemies she must
fight and subdue before she gives thought to
foreign conquest or revenge. Her armies
have yet mission on her own soil before they