p. 96 | News and Miscellany

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 7, 1871

News and Miscellany.

“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

MARCH 1, the Germans entered Paris. No disturbance was made by the populace.

VERSAILLES, March 2.—M. Favre to-day notified Bismarck of the vote of the National Assembly ratifying the preliminaries of peace, and Bismarck at once replied that he was ready to exchange formal ratifications, and the Emperor had already signed the treaty.

VERSAILLES, March 2.—The preliminaries of peace, as arranged by Bismarck and other plenipotentiaries with Thiers and Favre, are as follows:

Article first specifies the line of demarkation.

Article second provides that France will pay the Germans five milliards of francs, one milliard, at least, in 1871, and all the rest in the space of three years from the ratification.

Article three provides that the evacuation is to commence on the ratification of the treaty by the Assembly, that the German troops will then immediately quit Paris and the left bank of the Seine, and also the departments of Cher et Indre, Loire and Seine Inferieure. The French troops remain behind the Loire until the signing of the treaty of peace, except those in Paris, where the government is not to have exceeding 40,000 troops. The Germans will evacuate the right bank of the Seine gradually, after the signing of a definite treaty and the payment of half a milliard of francs. After the payment of two milliards, the Germans will only hold the departments of Marne, Ardennes, Meuse, Vosges, Meurthe and Belfort. After the payment of three milliards, the Germans will only keep 50,000 troops in France; but if a sufficient money guarantee be given, the Germans will evacuate completely at once; otherwise three milliards will carry interest at five per cent, from the ratification.

Article four provides that the German troops make no further requisitions; that the French government will find food for the army in occupation of ceded departments; that favorable arrangements will be made with the inhabitants, and time given them to move, if they please, and no obstacle will be placed in the way of emigration.

Article six provides that prisoners will be immediately liberated on the ratification of a treaty, and that French railroads will lend their carriages and engines at the same prices as to the French government.

Article seven provides that the treaty will be definitely signed at Brussels immediately after the ratification.

Article eight provides that after the ratification the management of all departments occupied will be handed over to the French officials, subject to German commanders, and in the interest of the German troops.

Article nine provides that it be well understood that the Germans have no authority over departments not occupied by them.

LONDON, March 3.—A special telegram to the London Times, from Versailles, says the Germans evacuate Paris to-day, and Prince Frederick Charles retires behind the Seine. The Emperor and Crown Prince will leave in a few days for Ferrieres or some other point near Paris on the right bank of the Seine. The Parisian populace wreaked their vengeance on several men and women who were seen communicating with the German soldiers.

BERLIN, March 3.—The empress has received the following dispatch from the emperor:

“VERSAILLES, March 3.—I have just ratified the conditions of peace which the Bordeaux Assembly accepted, and thus far, the work is complete, which was through seven months’ battle to be achieved. Thanks to the valor, devotion, and endurance, of our incomparable army, and the sacrifices of the whole Fatherland. The Lord of hosts has everywhere visibly blessed our enterprises, and by his mercy has permitted an honorable peace. To him be the honor; to Fatherland the thanks. “(Signed) WILHELM.”

The above was publicly read amid the booming of artillery, the ringing of bells, and the cheers of a people wild with joy.