Before the Germans can have the satisfaction of trying Prince
Bismarck's new experiments in Protectionist policy,—in other words, of experimenting, like Goethe in his youth, on their capability for suicide,—they have had the advantage of feeling the consequences of a similar experiment made on the part of France. The Franco-Austrian Commercial Treaty having expired, Ger- many, who shared some of its benefits, by virtue of the "most- favoured-nation clause," now loses the right to have German goods admitted into France on the same terms on which, till yesterday, they were admitted into Austria. Various waggons full of German goods were the other day turned back from the French frontier, because the old duties which, with the expiration of the Franco-Austrian Treaty, had come again into force, were virtually prohibitive. We trust the Germans will enjoy this foretaste of the commercial policy of Prince Bismarck.
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