The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-26
Europe.
We extract the following from an
article in the London Times. June g;

In one quarter, any delays of the
German powers are likely to excite
lmpatienee and indignation. Italy
has given herself up SO completely to
warlike policy, that it would he
impossible for the Government to
stop the people, aud difficult for the
people to stop themselves. We know
not what secret understanding there
may be between Prussia and Italy,
whether anything like convention
has been arranged, and, if SO, what
form it has assumed. But virtually
an alliance has been concluded, and
Italy will not fail to urge upon the
Prussian Government the expediency
OF immediate war. Italy can now
only see safety in such course Her
levles are so large, her expenses so
enormous in proportion to her means,
the enthusiasm of the people has
been so roused, such multitudes of
men have focked into the army, that
to return to q state of political quiet
and expectstion would, in the opinion
of italian politicians, be equivalent
to national ruin. With her, to draw
back would be fatal, while to stand
still and allow the country to be
crushed by war expenditure is i'm
possible. The ''revolutiou," to use
the Continental phrase, has been
called to the aid of the Italian
Government, and this same revolu-
ton is spirit which is not easily
laid when it has once been summoned.
We may then expect to find the Prus-
sian Government exposed to the
strongest solicitations of its ally, and
Italy, perhaps, committed to strug-
gle by some rash act of those whom
she has summoned to her banner. It
is announced that the King was inn
mediately y to arrive in Florence, and
that General Cialdini was also to be
there. Councils of war will, no doubt,
follow, and Italy will calculate her
chances in attacking her enemy, with
or without the help of an ally. But
if Austria remains on tie defensive,
those who attack hesAluadrilateral
will have no easy task Something
more than zeal and patriotism is re-
qnlslte to turn a strong army out of
such a position.
If any CLEAN appears on the dark
horizon, it is to be found in Tie temper
and LehoriOr of the Prussian and
other German populations. The King
of Prussia and his minister may well
hesitate, when they see what misery
they have caused, and what spirit
may soon be reused. The conscrip-
tion presses with tremendous severity
on the Prussian people. The coun-
try, though richer and more indus
trious than formerly, has not increased
III population TO degree which will
admit of such enormous gatherings
Of men. The army which is actually
in the field is said to amount to 2SO,-
600 fighting men, with $4,000 acces-
sories. There are 10000 depot
troops, and 10000 of the first ban
of the Landwehr in garrisons. In
times OF enthusiasm, like 1918, these
calls for flesh and blood may be an
swered without unwilhngness; but a
war to please q minister, or even to
gain q sea-coast and n fine harbor,
must not make too great demands.
The requirements of the State have
now been beyond all bounds. A popu-
lation of less than $4,000, 900 is ex-
pected to support an army of more
than $4,000 men on active service
TO make up the number, the clerk is
taken from the counting house, the
tradesman from his shop, and the pea
SAINT from the field. Women are every
where performing more than their
, usual share of the hard and coarse
work of the world An act of hos
tility on the part of Austria, such as
the entrance Of Marshal Benedek into
Prussian territory. might make the
people forget these hardships in
hatred OF the enemy, but, at present,
the discomfort is chiefly with their
; own Government. Not until the
enemy strikes q blow, will the King
have really Jealous and warlike army.
AS long as peace is preserved, there is
the probability that this disposition
of the Prnssian people may have
some influence upon the ministerial
policy. The middle States, which
have not yet given up hopes Of recon-
ciliation, are, no doubt, encouraged
by this disinclination for war to per-
severe i'll their efforts Their own
limited power, however, and the cum
brous machinery Of the Confedera-
ton, are likely to interpose great OBJ
stacles to effective action.
With the abandonment of the Con-
ference, the efforts of the neutral