Prince Bismarck has published the despatch to Count Arnim, transmitted
on the 7th inst., in which he complained of the acquittal of Tonnelet and Bertin, two Frenchmen accused of mur- dering German soldiers. The despatch is written in the haughtiest tone, the Chancellor declaring that if France in future refuses to eland over persons so accused, he shall seize hostages, or " have recourse to still more extreme measures," if only to avoid that resort to the lex talionis, now rendered impossible "by the high moral culture and the sense of honour and justice which are pecu- Ear to the German people." He declares that Germany was attacked last year without provocation, yet, nevertheless, the exasperation of the French "because we have victoriously defended ourselves" is so great that he may be compelled to inquire into the defensive strength of the positions occupied by Germen troops,— that is, we imagine, to occupy more departments. The better educated French, the Bar, and the jurors all share, he adds, this unjust exasperation. We have commented elsewhere on this re- markable paper. but would here supply one omission in the des- patch. Prince Bismarck says Germany has" victoriously defended herself." Quite true ; and Germany has besides taken two French provinces and a tribute of £12,000,000 a year for ever. May not these additional acts be among the causes of French irritation?
