The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2367, 2 November 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1870.

The telegraphic summary received via Suez is in many respects reassuring. The war between France and Prussia has been so completely of the nature of a duel between the two nations that the contagion has not spread, and other nations, though armed to the teeth, have not been dragged into the strife. Napoleon —some four months ago feared by all, hated by some, and distrusted by most—has disappeared from the scene. He is now apparently not considered necessary to the peace which Prussia is in a position to dictate. Napoleon Emperor, nor Eugenie, late Empress and Regent, is scarcely thought worthy of even mention in the telegram ; and this one great impediment to a settlement being arrived at is removed. Much now depends upon the men in France who are entrusted with the administration of its affairs ; and since they do not share in the ambition and hopes that led to this disastrous war, although Paris is invested there is reason to hope that many of the living in the army of the Prussians may he able to spend Christ-

mas nt their own unharmed homes. We do not think that any Government will risk the horrors and consequences of a lengthened siege of the capital. Isolated from the surrounding country, they can exert no influence over the movements of the armies still undestroyed, nor any control over the affairs of the provinces. They are not the Government of France, hut the defenders of Paris } the inhabitants of which have been precipitated into a war for the support of a dynasty that has, we should judge for ever, forfeited all claim upon their sympathies. Nor are their counsels likely to be unanimous. In peaceable times men cannot agree as to the advisability of certain measures, nor in the rule of certain men. Paris, above all cities in Europe, has for twenty years been liable to violent advocacy of conflicting claims. Its streets have been deluged with the blood of its own citizens, whenever contingencies occurred that violently stirred popular feelings. If the general to whom the defence of its walls is entrusted could by a turn of fortune be successful in a few sorties, perhaps unity might be secured \ but if the French, continually beaten in the field, are shut up within their walls, divided counsels must ensue, awl to able suffering connected with the siege may be added internal dissension—no uncommon occurrence in cities enduring lengthened sieges. From knowledge of the state of affairs there, the world is shut out; the Prussians have cut off all telegraphic and postal communication, and for certain information we must trust to history. As tor its holding out through the winter, we hardly think it likely. We do not believe the fortification of stone walls is built that will for any length of time resist the battering by modern siege guns. Strasbourg has surrendered, and sooner or later Paris must follow. Beside, much better terms can be made before its capture, than afterwards. In proportion to the expense, trouble, and loss of life consequent upon the siege, the severity of the penalty imposed will increase ; and in addition to that will be famine, destruction of property, and possibly future dismantlement of all fortifications of the city. Resistance now can only intensify national degradation. The rapidity with which modern warfare is conducted renders it impossible to train soldiers during its continuance ; and the levy en masse, even if every man could be armed, would only be sending masses of untrained men to be slaughtered by the admirably-organised troops of Prussia. These considerations cannot escape the observation of the French leading statesmen —they must be evident to all the people; and therefore we shall not be surprised if the next news via San Francisco reports the end of this terrible and disastrous struggle. As an indication of the repressive influence exerted by Napoleon, the removal of French troops and the crippling of French power has been followed by the incorporation of Rome with Italy. Thus has passed away for ever the temporal power of the Pope. For sixteen hundred years this power has been wielded with greater or less influence upon the nations of Europe and the world. D’Aubigny, describing this influence, writes— “ All kings were to “ tremble at the thunderbolts hurled “ by the Jupiter of modern Romo. “ Woe to him who resists. Subjects “ are released from their oaths of alle- “ giance ; the whole country is placed “ under an interdict; public worship “ ceases; the churches are closed ; the “ bells are mute; the Sacraments are “no longer administered ; and the “ malediction extends even to the “ dead, to whom the earth, at the com- « mand of a haughty pontiff, denies “ the repose ot the tomb.” The Reformation began in Germany three hundred and fifty years ago—and, nurtured in the heart of Germany, has been indirectly consummated by German arms. They have struck down the last barrier that remained, and now Rome is free from thraldom, and Italy once more united. Henceforth the Christianity of Rome stands on an equality with the doctrines of other churches, and must depend for its influence purely upon the opinions of those who hold its dogmas. We believe that they, as well as the rest of the world, will not be long before they realise the blessings of religious freedom, and feel that thought should not be fettered by institutions built by men.