The Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2340, 1 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Although it is hardly possible to believe the whole of the News received by the European telegrams yesterday, there is no doubt so much of truth in them that we may once more begin to breathe freely, and to hope that the end of this unholy war is at hand. Napoleon has added another strange chapter to his eventful life, and has thrown away the throne on which he has so long sat uneasily. It was a desperate chance, and he lost it. It would be premature to say too hastily what will be the result. Far greater difficulty is usually felt in settling terms of peace than in finding pretext for war. The Prussians, flushed with victory, may, for ought we know, be bent on dictating their own conditions; and, if the telegrams are to be believed, deprecate the interference of any other power. Wc

see our contemporary, this morning, is full of apprehension now that the main danger is over. That news, that ought to point to the speedy end of the matter, sounds to him like the begining of troubles. He appears to have but very imperfect acquaintance with European history when he contrives to see an analogy to the circumstances which roused the national spirit ot France in 1792. At that time the great principle of the right of a nation to choose its own form of government and its own ruler was imperilled. Kings claimed to rule by Divine right, and aristocracies assumed privileges and exemptions which rendered their very titles intolerable. England, Austria, Spain, Russia, and Prussia were in league to crush the democratic spirit, and in order to place a Bourbon on the French throne waged war, with very brief intervals, for twenty-five years. “ The Emperor of Austria “ and the King of Prussia had con- “ jointly issued a declaration that “ '* they considered the situation of the “ ‘ King of France a matter of cora- “ ‘ mon interest to all European sove- “ ‘ reigns,' and were resolved #®%o “ ‘ enable the King to establish a “ ‘ monarchical government, conform- “ ‘ alike to the rights of sovereigns “‘and the welfare of the French “ ‘ nation.’ ” This is not lik'dy again to occur. There have been several revolutions and dethronements since that time, and the deposed Emperors fault has been a vain attempt to revive to some extent institutions that had become obsolete. When the Prussians deprecate the interference of other powers in their peace negotiations, it can only relate to the terms to be made with France herself; and when the Times recommends “ mediation,” it does not mean intervention. There is nothing in the rate of interest at the Bank of England to create serious apprehension j and, in fact, we think that the sudden success of the Prussians has so far narrowed the ground of operations as to reduce the chance of an extension of the war spirit to other countries. The chief difficulty will now be the re-modelling of French institutions. It is not to be supposed that the French will submit tamely to allow a foreign army to occupy Paris. The country is invaded, and the people will resist. But the deposition of the Emperor has removed one obstacle to the re-establishment of peace ; and the Prussian Government will hardly be insane enough to imagine that France will submit to be ruled according to its dictation. We look forward to the next advices giving us more cheering information respecting the progress of negotiations for the evacuation of France by the Prussians ; and although we cannot hope for European disarmament as yet, it is very evident that the time is rapidly approaching when science has rendered war so destructive as to reduce the chances of its frequency. The lesson ought not to bo lost upon us in New Zealand in more ways than one. There must be something in Prussian tactics that has led to their extraordinary success ; and should our Maoris in the North again trouble us, the example ought to be followed. Next, the breathing time accorded to us should lead to a determined effort to secure the neutrality of the Colonies in case of war. The Australasian group are quasi-independent nations, linked by the slightest of ties to Europe. They are open to people of all countries : Europeans, Americans, Asiatics and Africans, find a welcome in each of them, and become citizens, with all the rights and privileges of Britons, on becoming naturalised. Were the King of Prussia dethroned tomorrow, he would be welcome to come and dwell amongst us, with Napoleon for his next-door neighbor. There is therefore every reason why regions so cosmopolitan should be secured from liability to attack ; and we believe it is the fault of the Colonies themselves that the matter has not been arranged amongst the Northern powers long ago. The independence of Belgium was secured by negotiation on the very eve of the war. Neutrality secured, although in common with other countries fclm social effects of war would be felt in the de-, pression of trade, its horrors need not | he apprehended. j