Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-05-13
The PRINCIPAL Beliigerents.

Principal Belligerents.
The news by telegraph on Friday could not be
otherwise than startling it left hardly the shadow of
doubt that hostIities had already commenced between
the two great powers of Central Europe for the
declaration of war by Austria against Sardinia means
nothing of itself but it all that we have said,
when it is considered that Sardinia is merely the out
post the advanced guard of France in this transaction
So far as mere numerical strength Of population and
military array is concerned, no two powers could be
more evenly matched than France and Austria. The
population of neither more than tre from thr
ty-sx millions and half although the colonies of France
may swell her empire to thrtyeight millions. But the
population from which men be drawn for the army
is practically the in number the Notifications arms,
artillery equipment and organization Of the military
vices of the two countries are about balanced and both
highly efficient
But here the parallel may be said to cease France,
although there may be local jealouses or provincial
rvalries, is still the most homogeneous country in
Europe Its people all glory in the name of Frenchmen
they all rally around the French standard On the con-
trary, Austria is queerly compounded and ilLeemened
union of races under crown, but not having the
bond which attaches to citizens of common country
Eppincott's Gszetteer, following the latest and most
lations of the Austrian Empire as follows
Germans, 100000 Slavonians, l4,994,0O0 Ital-
ians, 100000; nlyrians, $500; Greeks, 5000 );
Armenians, 22,l00; Jews Gal 900; Gpscs, 1900 !;
Magyars 100000 Tartars, 100000.
Among those cIassed as Slavonians are the nhabi-
ants Of Bohemia the greater portion of them the IN
habants of the kingdom of Hungary with the exception
of the Magyals and also of that part Of ancient Poland
which fell to Austria on the partition of that unoru
nate country. These people do not heartily unite with
the Germans of the Empire, while the Magyar popula
ton regards the government of Vienna with more than
GOODNESS and the Italians or people OF Italian descent
submit with the restvcncss of conquered but not sub
dued people. The seven to eight millions of Germans
form the bond that unites all these discordan clements
France has vast and efficient navy, and Austria has
not France has better financial position than Aus
ria and France has also the alliance of Sardinia but
this last is of very doubtful advantage for if France gets
the assistance of Sardinia the latter country has right
to claim the protection CT France and the thing is at
least as broad as it is long.
If the French navy can carry her armies and NUM-
lions rapidly by steam from Touon and Marseiles to the
seat Of war; the Austrians have direct railroad line
from Vienna to the centre of their Italian dominions
and to the very borders of Piedmont and although the
diversity of among the portions out of which the
Austrian Empire is made up hardly fail to operate
as an element of weakness history and experience have
shown that it does so to much less extent than might
have been expected. There is hardly instance of
Austrian soldiers DESERVING their standard no matter
from what province they might originally have been
drawn and certainly the best and nobest government
on earth might be proud to be served with the fidelity
and zeal which the despotsm of Austria has evoked and
which has so often saved the monarchy from destruction
while no French ruler can fully rely upon his own foot
ing at home should abroad Overake bis armies
So far then the principal beligcrcn powers
cerued the match can hardly be regarded unequal
one Their populations are the same-their military
establishments about tIc same-they arc both III state
of preparedness, having been exerting themselves to
that end for good while past. The French population
is more homogeneous than that of Austria but its gov
eminent wants xity, while that of Austria has the deep
sunk roots that only ages throw out and her soldiers
have never been unaithfu in presence of enemy
France has large fleet, and Austria has not but Aus
tra has very little exposed coast. France has
better financial position than Austria but she has also
people that would be more apt to revenge upon their
rulers any revuson occasoned by war; than would those
OF almost any other country on earth.
When the war has got fairly under way, and other
powers begin to be drawn in, then it will be time
enough to examine into their capacity for doing harm.
The Mexican Problem.
What to do with Mexico-Views of an Ex-NIinis-
ter is the caption of an article find in respected
contemporary, said contemporary simply giving for what
they may be worth, the views of Mr. Forsythe, late
Minister to Mexico and now editor of the Mobile Re
giser. Mr. Forsythe of course, thinks himself badly
used man, all ex-ofcias are in the habit of doing,
and be thinks it of the very greatest Importance that
the whole world should know everything about the views
feelings and personal grievances of so great man.
However, apart from Mr.. Forsythe and his notions,
the Mexican problem is becoming daily and hourly
embarrassing because it becomes daily and hourly more
urgent in its demands for solution and therefore, unless
solution is given favorable to the security of inter
est, untaVorable must shortly be submitted to-
The problem must receive a European or American,
monarchical Or republican solution. The Gordian
knot must finally be cut by the sword. Mexico has no
Inherent power of regeneration and reconstruction-a
foreign element must be added and foreign control
substituted for the msrue of the factions that prey upon
the bowels of the land.
To this complexion has the thing come at last and
this conclusion has public opinion reluctantly settled
doWn-fOr want Mexico. If forced to assume
her tuteage, it could only be choice of evils in the
belief that it would be safer and better to do so than
permit the growth of European power as an element
of insecurity Southern border, with the certain
design and the probable result of restricting our natural
growth in that direction and assuredy with the ten
dency to render Isthmian connection with our Pa