The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-17
War Prospects in Europe.

From the Herald. I..I
The news from Europe which we published
yesterday via the Atlantic cable, indicates that
n conjunction with the ultimatum OF Prussia
relative to the Rhine frontier, which we had
previously received, war is imminent between
Prussia and France. Napoleon, we are told,
has Withdrawn his demand on the Cabinet of
Berlin; but it remains to be seen whether he
acouiesces in good faith to the stern necessity
imposed on him by Bismark's prompt refusal
or pauses to prepare to take by force the terri
tory which he can never obtain by diplomacy.
Prussia pursues her high.handed policy. She
has evidently completely overridden Hanover
as the official notice 10 the Queen of that king
dom through Prince Yestenburg would show,
and that King William is master Of all Northern
Germany is an established fact. Conscious OF
her strength, and positive In her intention to
follow out the policy OF Bismark, Prussia feels
herself in a position to stand by the universal
German sentiment that the Rhine frontier can
never be ceded to France. Germany and the
Rhine are inseparably connected in the grand
idea OF the Germans fatherland, and the DOS
session of that historic river by any foreign
power is as repulsive to the German mind nd as the
old-tme prophecy of the Cossacks of the Don
watering their horses in the Seine was to the
sensitive nature of the French people, The
King of Prussia knows the German element too
Well 10 eDterIaln ueLuduu vi NdPOleOu upon
this point, even for u moment.
The demand tor an extension of territory on
the Rhine-a Napoleonc tradition, and a
dream of the French people since the time when
the empire of Charlemagne melted away and
was restricted TO the limits Of France-having
been meet with firm refusal, Napoleon is
placed in q difficult quandary. The French
people are not accustomed to have their de-
mands rejected. Neither are they likely to per.
NIT this question OF an extension of territory
to be set aside without contest. Aggrandize.
ment of territory is the prevailing weakness
the French nation. This Is the price which
they have always put upon their military SER
vices for other nations. Nice and Savoy we're
the return required for helping Italy against
Austria in the war of 1861. The Rhine frontier
is the price now demanded tor the fancied
mediation of Napoleon in the late war between
Prussia, Austria, and Italy. Blsmark however,
is not disposed to recognize the services of
Napoleon in this regard. He feels, doubtless,
tnat Prussia, with her fine army, her needle
gun, and her good generalshlp, has become
master of the situation, and intends to main
tain it.
What is Napoleon to do in this emergency I?
He stands between two tires-a war with Prus-
sia or revolution at home. We eopine that know.
ing the character of his people, he has already
chosen the former alternative. Our news states
that he has hurried off to Chalons to review the
army encamped there. Probably he finds that
the time has come to look after his soldiers.
The French army, with Napoleon at its head
is, in reality, all that is substantial in the French
Government. 1t is that which directs the
policy of France and regulates events. The
voice of the people at the bailotbox, the farce
of universal suffrage, are like the machinery
and scenic delusions of the stage. The army
with its cunning and sagacious leader, decides
all vital questions of domestic government and
foreign policy, after all.
1t may be, then, that Europe is on the eve of
a more prolonged and bloody war than that
which Prussia has brought to a standstill by
the vigor OF her arms. conflict between the
German race and Latin race seems imminent,
and we should not wonder if the German ele
ment, composed as it is of men of solid ideas,
progressive minds, animated by an all-absorb
ing passion for German unity and German SUI
premacy, should prevail over the Latin race, il
war is TO be the issue of the present complica
tion. That the fight will be terrible one there
can be no doubt. The recent successes oi
Prussia will create a rivalry between her and
the army of France, which must lead to deeds
OF extraordinary valor on both sides. 1t would
be idle now to speculate upon the alliances
which France NAV seek or obtain, should she
accept the gage OF battle; more idle still to offeI
any conjecture until we have more news at ouI
command as to what Austria, Italy, and Russia
and the MINOR German States are going to do il
the event of a war between France and Prussia
but we can readily understand how such con
fct will etlace the whole map OF the Continent
as it now stands, and control the future destiny
of all the nations OF Central Europe.