ENGLISH OPINIONS ON THE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 762, 12 January 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH OPINIONS ON THE WAR.

[From the Spectator, October 15.] The Liberal members for large constituencies are not very unanimous about the war, except on the point of keeping out of it. Sir Thomas Bazley, in addressing the Liberal Club yesterday week in the Chorlton Town Hall, Manchester, apologized for the Gee man demand of Aisace and Lorraine, on the ground of their having been a century or two ago plundered from Germany (which has nothing to do with the matter), and on the grouud of German language (which ifas very little to do with the matter), and ingeniously omitted to notice the main point—that the people have been and are fighting for France with all their hearts, and feel probably just as the German cantons of Switzerland would feel if you proposed to annex them to German}-, or the French cantons, if you proposed to annex them to France.

Mi- Bass, M.P. for Derby, on the contrary, in addressing bis constituents on Tuesday evening, expressed his belief, amidst " loud applause," that English "sympathies are now changing in some degree towards unfortunate France, laid as she is in the dust." "I think," he said, "it would redound, not only to the honour, hut to the advantage of Prussia, were she to be less exacting • and I am quite persuaded that we shall never have peace in Europe, nor peaceful relations between Prussia and Prance, so lo"ug as Prussia is in possession of French territory." All this seems to have been well received ; but when Mr Bass went on to say, " I should not complain of Prussia's dismantling the fortresses on the frontier or annexing Strasbourg, but to say that it is necessary for the protection of Prussia that she should have possession of Alsace and Lorraine appears to me to be ridiculous," there were, says the "Times" report, "murmurs;" but whether murmurs at the suggestion of the Prussian annexation of Strasbourg, or at the unreason of her claiming to need Alsace and and Lorraine, it is not quite easy to say. The middle class mind seems, however, not to be very deeply interested in the question of the terms of peace, but rather quite content that France should reap as she had sown, so long as England is not imperilled by it. Alsace and Lorraine are understood to be outlandish countries, with mixed tongues, in foreign parts a good way off, between France and Germany ; can it matter much to which of the"sc they shall belong?

I The actively political portion of the I working-class, on the other hand—a very small portion, by the way —is generous to rashness in the exuberance of its sympathy with the young Eepublie. Led by Professor Becsly and Dr Cougreve, a certain number of London working-men have declared that the duty of England is active intervention if Germany persists in her demands. At a meeting held on Thursday night, at the Sussex Hotel, Bouverie-street, a resolution embodying this declaration was carried, after a very warm discussion, by " a large majority." It was carried, too, after speeches in which it was contended that it would be a rather trilling matter than otherwise for England to embark in this war against the hugesfc of European Powers! Twenty thousand men, landed in Normandy, might probably be enough! Professor Beesly and the other instructors of the working-classes in politics have as perfect a right to advocate a war policy I

j as any other they think right, hardly to recommend that policy by l j the moat sangiue illusions. There ial, au old Baying, for which Professor? Beesly has evidently no great regard;, but which all politicians) are obliged to respect, and oven working-men, if they would be true politicians—- " What king going to make war against another king sitteth not down first and cousulteth whether he" be able with ten thousand to meet him i hat cometh against him with twenty thousand?" jlftw. ...rn.Ucu.more, if it. should be whether he he able with oO,0;JO to meet him that cometh , l(T ainst him with 200,000?