M. About has been apprehended at Saverne, and lodged in
prison in Strasburg. The accusation brought against him is not known. He was at Saverne to exercise his "option" as a native of Alsace-Lor- raine in favour of France, and had no doubt been saying bard things of the Prussians, and doing all in his power to prevent any Alsatian or Lorrainer from identifying himself with Germany. But it is hardly likely that the Germans can have apprehended him for the mere use of bitter language, even though his nationality was still in dispute as between France and Germany. The Times suggests the possibility that he is apprehended on the charge, boasted of by himself at the beginning of the war, of having joined a friend in the slaughter of a Prussian sentinel. But it is somewhat late now to try him for having as a civilian acted a military part in an invaded country, though if he did take such a part without any hope of answering a real military purpose by his " slaughter," he was undoubtedly guilty of a very serious crime, because one tending to identify war with assassination. In any case, unless Prince Bismarck really desires to stimulate the passion of France once again, the apprehension of M. About was a grave mistake. After invasion, bygones should be bygones,—and only the more in case the endangered culprits can write like M. About. Of course, if he is likely to be punished capitally, that will not matter ; but to punish M. About capitally, unless for some offence of which we have no knowledge, would hardly be done except with the deliberate design of embittering France. The Gaulois asserts that at present his punishment consists in having all his food seasoned with onions, a flavour which he very justly loathes.
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