Napoleon stripped her of her provinces, and she acceded to the treaty of her spoliation, but at the first favourable opportunity she protested her signature, and the world has never blamed her for so doing.

France, if she is deprived of Alsace, will do the same.

If she signs the treaty, it will only be binding on her until she is strong enough to repudiate it.

A treaty of territorial spoliation imposed by force never has and never will bind a nation.

The peace of Europe will not be lasting if France hawks about her alliance, and is ready to tender it to any Power who wishes to carry out some scheme of aggrandisement, and who will aid her to re-conquer the provinces which she has lost.