Year: 1870

Peace Now Necessity--Tno War In
Europe.


The burden Of the news this morning, as
indeed it has been for some days, is encourag-
ing for the lovers Of peace. The success Of
the armies Of Germany has frightened Europe
into sense of propriety. So long as the
two countries at war seemed equally matched,
80 long as there was reasonable hope that
tho war might end, leaving the European
balance Of power very much as 1t was, the
other Powers could afford to look ON calmly
and phlosophically. Now, however, that
Prussia has beat down France, tho big Powers
begin to tremble. Russia is at her wits end
and Great Britain cries out like sick child.
So much are Austria and Russia and Great
Britain brought into community of sentiment
that an armed alliance is no longer mere pos
sibiliy. The efforts now being made by Rus
sia and England to bring about peace are,
perhaps. as much the result of jealousy of the
alarming power of Prussia as Of desire to
put an end to the unnecessary destruction of
life and property.


Jealousy or fear of Prussia is not, however,
the only reason why efforts, likely to prove
successful, are being made to secure peace.
The French republic has made a good
start. The revolution 30 far has been
easy and bloodless. Although we see
no good reason to believe that the republic
will ever be able to repel the invader, still,
it is not to be denied that the proiongation of
hostiliaes will give to the Italians and the
Spaniards an opportunity which they well
Know how to use. Unless something Is done
within the next few days to bring about sus-
pension Of hostilities we sh all expect to hear
that Spain has become republic, that Portu-
gal has initiated her bigger sister, that Italy
has followed suit, and that King Victor
Emanuel, with all the princes and princelings
of the South Of Europe, have set out to keep
Queen Isabella and the Emperor Napoleon
company.


The monarchies hate republics. Much as
the great Powers dread the growing strength
of Germany they dread republics more. But
both causes combined give force to the move
ments of Great Britain, of Russia, of Aus
tria. The latest news does not encourage US
to believe that France can offer to the invader
any very effective resistance. The new gov
ernment, in spite of some demonstrations to
the contrary, seems alive to this fact. If
King William and NJ. Theirs can come to any
satisfactory arrangement an armistice Is pos
sible before the first gun has been fred on
Paris. Prussia Is naturally enough little
imperious and too much disposed to override
all reason. It will not be well, however, for
Prussia to despise the public sentiment of
Europe. Public sentiment has, so far, been
on her side. Her Victories in co1se-
quence have been easy. If she proves too
.imperious public sentiment may 60 against
her. Besides, Prussia ought to remember that
respect was paid to her voice in 1860, just as
she herself listened to the voice of France in
1866. 1t is her privilege once again to be the
victor. It ought to be her pride once again to
listen to the voice of reason. 1t is our belief,
considering the situation in France, consider
ing the growth of republican sentiment all
over the South Of Europe, considering the no
longer concealed sentiments of the other great
Powers, and considering the negotiations
which are now going on, that peace has
become necessity and that the war will soon
be ended. Prussia can well afford to be
magnanimous. She can boast of the most
magnificent campaign which was ever con-
Quoted by any people. Mover was the science
Of war so brilliantly and effectively illustrated.
Never was 80 much done by an army in SO
brief space Of time. II will be well If
Prussia give evidence to the world at once
that she is not vindictive, that she does not
fight for the sake of national aggrandizement,
but in the interests of peace. If Prussia Is not
now willing to listen to the dictates of reason
it will be bad for Europe; it may not be good
for Prussia. A continental war-a war which
will array the peoples against the dynasties-is
not to be provoked rashiy,