The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-29 00:00:00

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SATURDAY. DECEMBER 111). 11166.

PEACE PROSPECTS & INCREASED
ARMIES.

The terrible war which forms so prominent a
page in the history of 19603 proves that to be a
tact which was previously talked of only as a
probability. The days of long, desolating wars
are over. Never again in the history of the
world, if we may draw legitimate conclusions
from past facts, are there likely to be another
seven years' war, far less another thirty years'
war. Short, sharp, and cruelly destructive are
modern wars, and future wars tell that happy
time when men shall have war no more, are
likely to be no less so, to say the very least.
It is with deep regret that we have noticed how
'such the history of 1866 is taken up with war
movements, and it is with sorrow and misgiving
that we find that the year 1967 will open with
continued preparations in so many quarters for
the passibility of war. Strive to abut our eyes
to it as we may, there is an uneasy feeling on
the Continent as to • growing antagonism be-
tween France and Prussia. But we will not meet
troubles half-way; and we refrain from specula-
tion on an event which we sincerely hope may
never occur, But, meanwhile, we may notice
the poaition of France in connection with these
military preparations. The Minister of Finance
has just published his Widget, and it is signifi.
cant and remarkable that in his budget will not
be included any estimate for the proposed in-
crease in the French army. It would thus seem
as if the Emperor of the French was fearful of
urging his gigantic scheme too suddenly upon
the people. The plans which the Army Re-or-
ganisation Commission have recommended.
which the Emperor has sanctioned, and which
the Chambers will soon be called on to ratify,
provide for 1,100,04)0 men who may be called out
into the field of battle on emergency. There is
to be a standing army of 400,0041 nom, a reserve
of the same number, and 000,000 National
Guard. The finance Minister tells us, after
having of course received the mot from his Impe-
rial Master, that "the proposed changes are in-
spired solely by the necessity for placing the
forces of France on a footing consistent with her
position in Europe, and with the military devel-
opment of other States." Amongst these "other
State." doubtless Prussia is the bete noir of the
Emperor of the French. It is the splendid
military success of Prussia that has been push-
ing on France to renewed military aggrandise-
meat, and thus nation goads on nation to swell
its standing armies, and then--alas I that it
should be so—employment must be found for
them on the slightest provocation.
U. Fould tells us that in consequence of the
difficulty of arriving at the charges which these
burnouse changes will entail, they are to form
part of a subsequent budget, when it is hoped
there will be a sufficient surplus to meet them.
This, as we have said, is significant, and it is
also encouraging. It shows that the new army
scheme is not popular in France, and we heartily
hope that the Chambers will modify the plan, so
that France, always so renowned for her arms,
may not become a standing menace to the
world.