20 MAY 1871, Page 2

The French Assembly has ratified the Treaty of Frankfort after

a debate which turned mainly on the exchange of some cantons near Luxemburg for some cantons near Belfort. Bismarck wished the exchange because the new territory contains coal, and its people speak " German," and M. Thiers wished it because with the gap between the Vosges and the Jura in French possession Belfort may be made one of the strongest fortresses in Europe. We suspect M. Thiers is right, and that Prince Bismarck knows it, and that he has made the exchange in order to show the States South of the Main how needful Berlin is to them. The French rush, if it is ever made, must be made first upon them, through Belfort. Consequently they must keep up the severe military organization which otherwise they might in their security be tempted to relax.