The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-03
The situation. In Europe.


tinue to incresse-or rather have been
changed into certainties. "The tele-
graphic wires" says the London Times
shave supplied us within the last eight
and forty hours with an accumulation of
intelligence from Denmark and Germany,
which, when sifted, admits but Of one
interpretation-that Europe is once more
on the very verge of war"
The same paper says the British Min
lister at Frankfort has threatened war
with Germany, in case that power does
not withdraw from its present attitude.
The Berlin correspondent of the Lon
don News says.
"We hear Of . fresh note addressed by
England TO the Frankfort Diet, urging .
Conference, and holding out risks Of war
as the consequence Of > refusal. If
rightly read appearances here, no time
should be lost in adopting very decided
measures if bloodshed is to be avoided
on the Elder. The Danish question seems
fast drifting on to warlike decision, and
when once shots have been fred there is
no foreseeing the complications that may
ensue. The situation of affairs is ex-
tremely critical, and is likely daily to
become more so."
The Saxons and Danes are still facing
each other at Rendsburg but though
the delay of twenty-four hours original
ly fixed by the Saxon General has ex-
pired now for some days, we hear moth
ing yet of the commencement Of hOstili-
ties. According to some of the cOnti-
mental journals thege is . divergence of
views between Prussia and Austria, the
former power showing disposition to go
the whole length with its confederation
in the Diet.
Meanwhile, arrangements seem to be
making in Germany for an occupation of
the Duchy of Schleswig. The Krsslz-
Zsitung says that a division has receiv-
ed orders to concentrate Immediately ct
Preignitz; the Post Zsit1tng Of Frankfort
says that the authorities of the Grand
Duchy of Welmar have received notice
that thirty thousand Austrians will pass
through it next week on their way to
north; and third paper speaks of the
intention of the German Powers to form
= camp in Franconia, in order TO have
close at hand troops which it would be
necessary to send TO the scene of hos
tlitles.
Napoleon doubtless highly enjoys the
anxiety of England for Congress, pro-
positions for which that power so re-
Gently rejected. But the Emperor is not
in the best possible condition for war
his finances are in very dilapidated
state, and these, as much as men, are i'm
portsnt in 3 struggle like the one pend
ing. The committee of the Congress
Iegislatif has made an exhibit of the
finances, from which we extract the fol-
lowing rotten uDprOmising paragraph:
"We think that in the matter OF finance
the springs have been somewhat over
strained. If certain taxes have been di-
minished, others have been created, and
the balance has been an aggravstion of
taxation. The public debt has been in
creased by several milliards, and whilst
it was being yearly increased, the healthy
L., asr La1
arrested. France continues TO pay the
sum provided by the laws for the sink
ing fund, and that provision is turned
aside from its lawful destination, and
every year is made to contribute to meet
the public expenditure. We are contin-
ually borrowing-we have altogether
ceased paying off any portion of our
debt.
1--WE have borrowed millisrds 81 mill
lions (e82, ,16O, 900 stsrling) by public
subscription; 100 millions $4,000, 900
sterling) of the Bank of France; about
I16 millions (f4,640,000 sterling) from
the army fund first time then about
67millions (s2, $780, ,OG0 sterling) from the
same fund for works of public utility
plus 131 millions (f5,240,000 sterling) on
Trentenary bonds. We are about to
borrow 300 millions (e12.000, 900 ster-
ling) in virtue of the law you have re-
Gently passed, and 80 millions (e1, ,280,-
600 sterliDg) on an issue of l, ,429. .620f Of
three per cent. reHtes. which articls of
the bill now before us proposes. The
aggregate of these loans since 1854 !
amounts TO 2 milliards 800 millions
(e112, 600 600 sterliDg) Moreover, the |
Minister of Finance tells us in bis report |
that from 1866, charge Of so (milliOns
(G2000000 sterlidg) will have to be |
added to the budget to provide for the |
guaranty of interest on railroad bonds. |
This, in substance, is the balance which /
we have received from the past. 1t
should not alarm as, for it is only right |
to say that simultaneously with these |
heavy burdens the annual revenue Of
France have constantly increased. The |
indirect revenues have augmented from !
twenty-five to thirty millions every year,
and vet the balance between the revenue
and the expenditure has long since ceas-
ed to exist; for II you run through the
official accounts for the last twelve or
fifteen months you will find that al the
budgets show > deficit, with the excep-
tion of 1853, which shows q slight sur
plus, owing TO extraordinary resources"
The committee then recommends the
withdrawal Of the French troops from
Mexico, Is soon IS the honor Of the na-
tiOn will permit.