The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-06
France Preparing for war.


In England the alarm Of a probable war
with France is sounded by the people almost
periodically. 1t is true that since the organize
ton Of military voluni. er companies on an ex-
tentive scale the dread Of French invasion has
decreased, but there Ia still lingering fear
that the inscrutable Emperor Is always planning
an attack in which he won be, to certain
point successful He wouli AIRY of all the
treasure In the banks and originate train OF
disasters, the end of which II would be impos-
sble to foretell There is just now strong
feeling Of suspicion ard distrust in England
with regard to France. arising partly from the
evssive character Of the Emperor's address on
the recent opening Of the Chambers, and the
vast wurlke preparations he Is making without
assigning therefor q reason. II bis intentions
are pacific, say the English, why is he augment.
ing the naval and military forces Of the empire
to Nh extent surprising even what he thought
necessary Immediately before the campaign in
LombaIdy?
BY every mail we learn Of some addition to
the vast ornaments of France, and everything
would indicate that they are designed 70 operate
against some great maritime power The En-
peror can have no apprehension Of molestation,
and the question therefore arises: what nation
does be intend to modest and for which
he is aiming in this alarming manner! We
think he hardly knowe himself, and that he Is
only making ready for an emergency, and In
order that he may take advantage OF whatever
opportunity may present itself; and in the pre-
sent disturbed state of Europe opportunities
will probably occur 1t is not but to be supposed,
however, that he has scme definite ideas Of fu-
ture action ami immediate objects to be attain
ed He has Syria and perhaps the Rhine pro-
vinces in his minds eye; aud the encouragement
he has received from the Christians inhabiting
the former country may well inspire him with
hope; while the existing Schleswig Holsteiudihi-
Guilty, which has recently assumed u somewhat
threatening aspect between Prussia and Den
mark, opens prospect for his stepping in and
extending the frontiers of France to the Rhine.
This last is favorite nurseiing of French ambi-
ton, and We remember being fully reminded
of il in the offer which was made to Austria at
| Villafranca.
We know that French intrigue prevails
wherever there is anything for which to in
triguc. In Spain, Hungary, Denmark, Bel
GUM, Turkey, Egypt, the Rhine Provinces, Ire
land and the British House of Commons, its
subtle presence may be easily traced. In Den
mark particularly 1t just now displays itself,
for it is hardly reasonable to suppose that the
pugnaoious spirit she is sho wing does not
spring from q confidence in being backed by
some force much stronger than hor own. The
fact of Denmark being the traditional tool Of
French intrigue tends to confirm the suspicion.
| No army equal to that Of France has ever been
I kept long standing without, in the absence of
disaffected provinces to keep down, or colo
! NAL empire to guard, becoming formidable to
the world And no nation has ever possessed
the power that France possesses for gratifying
ambition without feeling the desire of calling il
into action. 1t is possible that the very bold
ness shown by the new King Of Prussia, and
which presents 30 marked contrast to the
policy of the late monarch, may hasten the end
which Louis Napoleon has in view; for the
supremacy of Prussia and the decadenoe Of
Austria in Germany will tend towards speedy
union of the thirty-eight sovereignties that at
present partition the great sporting ground Of
Europe, as Germany has not been inaptly
called; and in that event France, as she has
indirectly made known to the world, would de-
mand the Rhine Provinces. This is provided
that the Schleswig Holstein question Is settled
without Prussia having recourse to war with
Denmark. The present Emperor of the French
knows the danger Of inactivity. The conse-
queHses OF failure to employ great military
power he has Witnessed in the fall of Louis
| Philippe and he is not man upon whom
warnings are likely to be lost. The doubt and
dread of his intentions t,st now felt in Europe
are not without reason. His acts are threat
ening, and his words vague aud unassuring. IL
| is, however, possible that the sudden and re-
cent changes in the policy of Austria towards
political liberty and thorough representative
government may entirely alter the aspect Of
European affairs and so lead to rapid reduc-
| ton of the French ornaments. No better re-
! suit than this last could be desired.