The information as to the negotiations is very vague. M.
Thiers has come over here on a sort of mission to get the Neutral Powers to propose what is really equivalent to any sort'ofierms short of a territorial surrender. There has been a curious mass of contradictions both as to his authority and his proposals. The Times first said he came only to propose that all the neutral Powers should force Germany into moderation. The Daily Telegraph, which has been the best informed, declared that he came with authority from the Provisional Government to offer almost any guarantee for peace but the surrender of provinces. The Times then admitted that so it was. And then the Daily News asserted that it ivas in a position to state that M. Thiers had no authority from the Provisional Govern- ment of any kind whatever, and came over only as a private indi dual. We believe that the Telegraph was sullitfitntiatlly ri Lord Granville has transmitted the effect of M. 'hi ge to the Prussian Government, which has, says the Te g It, replied through the same channel, the reply hawing been imeaediately transmitted to Paris, and M. Jules Fevre *paving rejoined fr4vith unexpected candour and judgment." So there is, perhaps, still a hope that the siege will not go on.As-t4 the terms, the Pro- visional Government seems quite committecr not to Alirrender French soil ; and from all we can learn, Germany if not make peace without such a surrender. It is asserted,-and this is entirely supported by a telegram to the Manchester Exami of/ last night to this effect,-that as the South-German oops have behaved so well, Prussia must secure for South Ger- I b
many some tangible gain in return for her sacrifices,-must pay the allies, who have fought so noble a defensive war, in the same ignoble coin in which France proposed to pay herself for offensive war, -by spoliation.
