The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-16
A General European War, or Revolution
in France.
From the Herald.

a General European war, OF u heNOiuhOh
in France.
From the Herald.
Prussia emphatically refuses to acoede to the
demand of LOUIS Napoleon for the extension OF
the eastern boundary of France to the Rhine.
Napoleon is further informed that the territories
in question will never be cedel by Prussia 10
France. His warlke preparations and menaces
have not awaited him. His calculations in regard
TO the rectifcation of the European balance of
power have failed Just at the point where he
had expected the re wards of his diplomacy to
begin. Blsmark has not only cbeckmated MIN,
but he feels sufficiently strong to defy him.
Submission to such audacity is not Napoleonlc
nor French idea. Prussia must be punished
for her presumption, or the French Emperor
will soon find that he has fallen into disgrace
among the French people. To make good his
promises to them OF the extension of the empire
he must put his army in motion towards the
Rhine, or sooner than he dreams OF he may be
called to grapple with the revolutionary ele.
ments OF the barTicades. He is at last pushed
into that ugly dilemma in which his choice OF
alternatives is limited to general european
war or revolution in France.
Peace in Europe, therefore, is not secured,
though Austria In submission at the feet OF
Prussia and Italy, without q remoDstrance,
yields 10 all their demands. she secuted the
peace conference proposed by Napoleon before
the war; because she saw that the conference
was a snare, in which, North and South, she
was set apart for spoiation. In his letter upon
this subject to his Minister for Foreign Affairs
explaining the objects and hopes he had enter
famed of this rejected conference, Napoleon
frankly revealed his plans and expectations.
His plans involve pretty general reConstruc-
tion of Central Europe for the aggrandiZement
of France at the expense OF Prussia and Italy,
and the enlargement oil Italy and Prussia at the
expense OF Austria. He had expected the honor
OF reorganizing the German BuDd upon the plan
of his uncles confederation of the Rhine, and
nf ACQUIRING this river h0un00rV for France nv
that peculiar voice of the people which he has
learned well to manage through his Napo-
leonic system of universal suffrage. He has
told us that his plan was thus to submit the
question TO the Germans along the Rhine
whether they would remain with their brethren
or be annexed to France. Undoubtedly under
his management the German vote for annexation
would be as decisive as was that of the MeXlcans
for Macmillan.
A few days before these interesting disclosures
confident OF the complete success OF his schemes
as arranged with Blsmark and King Victor Ema-
nuel, the over confident Napoleon, in that saucy
little speech at Auxerre proclaimed to Europe
his detestation of those treaties OF 1915. He
meant to upset them. de intended to wipe out
the boundaries prescribed for France by the
Holy Alliance, and to revive the empire as it
stood before the disastrous day of Leipsic, yea
as il was Just before that fatal expedition to
Moscow. The minds of the French people have
during the last twelve months been filled with
such notions of the restoration of the empire by
the nephew of bis uncle in all its glory. Hence
the danger that will follow to Napoleon in
France il peace is re-cstablished between Prus.
sia, Italy, and Austria without the acquisition
TO France of the left bank of the Rhine.
He demands this boundary. Prussia posi-
lively refuses 1t, and so 1T appears to us the
empire is no longer peace. Napoleon, batlled in
his diplomacy, must try the old Imperial game
of war; Assuming that he will try it, what are
his prospects of success? They are exceedingly
unpromising. He has splendid army admira-
bly, equipped, and his financial establishment Is
in prosperous condition. But the odds are
heavily against him. The new GermanIc Con
federation of the North, under the new military
system of Prussia, will oe more than match
for him. Under the Great Frederick the little
Prussiau kingdom of his day successfully fought
the powerful coalition of France, Austria, and
other States. Her success was due to her supe-
rior military organization and the high indi
vidual training of her troops. Her late sue
cesses against Austria are due to the same
causes. We have no doubt that the Prussian
army at this time, in discipline, equipment and
organization, in the intelligence of its soldiers
and their unity and efficiency in the field, is
tar ahead of any other army in Europe. Prus
sla, too, In becoming the accepted head of the
German family of States and Prncipalities, car
now, if necessary, easily enlarge her army fol
the defense of the Rhine to a million of lighting
men.
How is Napoleon to meet this tremendous
power rallied ior the defense of the sacred sol
of Germany? He cannot succeed against i
single-handed, and what States are to be hii
allleS Austria cannot nelp nerSell, ana Italy
is under the most binding obligations to Prussia
Russia, we know, regards the nephew with the
feelings OF the old Holy Alliance towards the
uncle, and England, we are sure, would rejoic,
at the opportunity for insuring his downfall
His only reliance is the Holy Father of Rome
and he can do very little as an ally in arms
Moreover, the Cesarism, the Roman imperialism
and despotism set up by this Napoleon, as th
model of good government, Is distastetul to al
the populations OF all the nations of Europe
He is thus without a reliable foothod amon
the rulers of the peoples of Europe. not except
ing the people of France. He has so far born
himself, in his wars and his diplomacy, like al
adVenturer upon his good behavior; but let hiu
presume to trespass upon the rights of hi
neighbors and they will combine to crush him
1t is probable, therefore, whether he sha
choose the hazards of continental war or tn
dangers OF French revolution that the empr
of the third Napoleon approaches the crisis
life or death. There are good reasons TO fes
that, from the necessities OF his position
Europe is on the verge of a general wa
and that the sun OF the present Caesar
France will go down in the smoke of anotht
Waterloo.
Mr.. JOhnsOn's Friends.
From The Tribune