The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-12
OK THE SIDE OF PRUSSIA.
100000

1t is apparent that Austria has on her
side about eleven millions of popula-
ton more than Prussia. She has not
however, the same resources for en-
ploying her population in the field as
Prussia. Austria enters upon the
struggle in condition bordering close
ly upon bankruptcy, her debt being
2,6OO, 900, 600 fOrins. On the other hand
although Prussia is in an excellent
financial condition, having a debt of
only 2SO, 600, 900 thalers; yet Italy is in
a far worse fiscal condition that Aus
tria, having large annual deficit to
contend with, and a debt of 4. .4O5. .OOO. 600
francs. 1t is with these resources that
the two sides enter upon the conflict.
The financial embarrassments of Aus
tria are more than set off by the fiscal
weakness of Italy; and the financial
strength of Prussia is counterbalanced
by the greatly superior numbers on the
side of Austria; and should the large
State of Bavaria be ultimately drawn
to the side of Austria, which seems
quite likely, the numerical advantage
of Austria will be increased by an ad-
addition of five millions of population
to her cause. 1t is not to be supposed, ,
however, that hostilities will be con-
tinued long without other powers than
these becoming involved. Napoleon
doubtless sees that the opportunity has
come forthe realization of his dreams of
a natural boundary for France. In his
late address read to the French Legis-
lature, he made no pretensions to any
intention to maintain neutrality longer
than national boundaries were not in
terfered with. As therefore the clear
purpose of Prussia is to extend her do
minions to the North Sea, If not to abb
sorb at least a portion of the German
States, and as Italy directly aims at the
annexation Of Venetia, the language OF
Napoleon may be taken as directly i'm
plying that the war is one precisely of
that character which will induce the
Interference of France. Prussia will
no doubt be found quite willing to sur
render to France what she has SO long
coveted, the Rhenish Provinces, as a
compensation for an Intervention tend
ing to embarrass Austria. But the
moment this is attempted another great
power will step into the arena on the
side of Austria. Russia has always
been on good terms with Austria, and
has nothing to fear from her; but Prus-
sia she views with a suspicious eve.
She cannot afford to see PRUSSIA -ex-
alted at the expense Of fAustria; and has
no interest, but rather otherwise,
in the territorial aggrandisement
OF France. She has therefore noti-
hed France that the violation of neu-
traltty by France Will be the signal for
Russia taking up arms. It will there
fore be little else than miraculous.
should the struggle thus began result
in anything short of conflict between
Prussia, Italy and France on the one
side, and Austria, the German confed-
Grafton and Russia on the other. In
that phase of the struggle, there would
be nationalities including us millions
of population on the side of Austria,
and ~ millions on the side of Prussia.
1t seems impossible to eVada the con-
viction that the struggle will be one of
the most terrible in European history.
It is nothing less than contest for ma
tional supremacy among the great pow
ers of Europe, war OF ambition and
aggression. The aggressive powers
have no respect for the conservation OF
the lives or interests of their people; the
defensive powers will struggle TO the
last extremity rather than surrender
their ancient prestige and their treaty
rights: and thus again in this nine
teenth century shall we have the sad
spectacle of a Continent deluged with
blood to gratify the reckless ambition
OF Kings and Emperors.