12 NOVEMBER 1870, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

WE were too confident last week in the prospects of an armis- tice. Count Bismarck had, as we imagined, declared himself ready to concede one ; but, as it now seems clear, only because he thought the offer would induce submission. After the preli- minary difficulties had been removed, he, either of his own motion or under pressure from his military colleagues, refused to allow Paris to be revictualled, whereupon General Trochu ordered M. Thiers to break off negotiations and quit Versailles. The refusal made the offer ridiculous, as Paris would, in fact, have been in- vested all through the armistice, and although, had food been allowed to enter, the German Army would have been exposed to twenty-five days of unrequited suffering, a compromise might easily have been devised. The truth is, the Germans are deter- mined to enter Paris, and reluctant to make any treaty, even one ceding territory, which would forbid them that gratification. As Paris is not prepared either to be starved without fighting or admit the Germans until conquered, there is nothing to do but let the war go on.