THE CONDUCT OF PRUSSIA. MISERY IN FRANCE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 742, 26 November 1870, Page 2

THE CONDUCT OF PRUSSIA. MISERY IN FRANCE.

The Paris correspondent of the " Times " says :

The conduct of the Prussian government in the French provinces overrun by its armies is calculated to cause some uneasiness to diplomatists and others who look forward to the day when victors and vanquished shall rest upon their arms while negotiators strive for peace. If we assume, what is by no means admitted in Paris, that France will lose the bloody game now playing, on what basis are attempts for peace to be founded ? Accession of territory would be a most unacceptable condition here, and, if insisted upon, would be likely to cause a desperate renewal of war, even, though the French had been grievously worsted. If anything could make it certain that the Parisians would stand a siege, even if it involved their sending women, children, and all non-comba-tans out of the place, it would be such a stipulation, which it is not supposed, however, that the neutral powers would easily be induced to countenance. But it is feared that Prussia, by her proceedings in Alsace, is putting herself in a position that would make it difficult for her again to relinquish the province without a sacrifice of dignity, to which, especially after a series of triumphs, she might have difficulty in resigning herself. She has, in fact, regularly annexed Alsace and even Lorraine. She has appointed governors of those provinces, established the Zoliverein tariffs, abolished the conscription, and appropriated the Post-office. Of Prussian foresight in everything relating to the present war we daily have the most striking proofs. Nothing has been forgotten, not even postage stamps, or the iron seal to mark the letters with. The black eagle flaps his wings upon those which reach Paris from Alsace and Lorraine, by way, of Switzerland or Belgium. I yesterday informed you of the impression made upon an English gentleman by what he had seen during a ten days' ramble in central France, by the patriotic spirit of which he on all sides saw evidence, and of the arming and active preparations to defend the country against the invader. Probably he derived his impression chiefly from what he witnessed in the towns and larger villages; from some of the strictly rural districts we get accounts of a rather different complexion. I have received a letter to-day from a friend now residing at his chateau far in the country, who writes as follows : —" The misery this war has already brought upon France is appalling. The peasantry (Napoleon's best supports) are by turns furious against him or in utter despair —the young men, many of them marriod, are all gono to bo butchered. We had an act of incendiarism last night near here. It is almost to be wished that Prussia may be able to give a finishing stroke in a-war of which the final result now seems scarcely doubtful, in order that peace may become a necessity for France. As long as she thinks she cau continue the strife of course sho wdl, and the miseries of the present hour will sink into insignificance compared with

those of two months hence. Fathers and mothers are coming in all day long and imploring us to get back their sons under different pleas, such as their being married and haying children, or being the sole support of a family, or having weak eyes or a bad leg. But it is all of no avail. The mental misc ry of all these poor people, who cannot understand what the war is about, is very distressing to behold. The glory, if any glory ever comes from this horrible war, will not be i theirs.