The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-26
Napoleon and Prussin-.-Thc t;wro.
pean PrO&ro m upcA

pean Programme.
The pamphlet recently published
IN Paris, entitled Napoleon III. and
Prussia, sketches distinctly the pro
gramme for the Reconstruction of
Europe, to which we alluded a few
days ago. 1t may he taken MS an
indication of the purposes of the
Emperor of the French, and if it
argued strictly the advantages of An
alliance between France and Prussia.
1t would be a deeply significant fact.
International batteries, an entente
co7tt'oae between two great powers, is
ut any time an ominous fact for the
peace of Europe. An entente co,ylio1e
means war. Alliances, such as this
proposed, are the preliminaries of
aggression; and are especially favor
able means with the Emperor Napo-
leon for the accomplishment of q
great purpose. An alliance with
England secured the balance against
Russia for the Crimcan war; an alli-
ance with Victor Emanuel against
Austria secured the Empcror's objects
IN Italy, and the alliance to he made
between France and Prussia will lead
to equally momcntous events.
According to the pamphlet, France
is not to take any active part in the
war. The Empire is ut peace. The
alliance is to make Prussia sure that
France Will not be against her. and
Tor this little assurance she is willing
to cede Il Specification Of the French
frontier. Could All alliance be pnt
before the French people in any more
tempting shape than this, flattering
the national vanity, offering territory
and requiring nothing? As for the
advantages to be secured to Prussia,
they will excite sympathy rather than
objections i'll the French mind, for
they are based upon detriment to
Austria and the humbhng OF Haps-.
burg. This is the keynote of alli
ance between the two peoples. Here
Is \ point on which France and prus-
STA can fraternize far more earnestly
than France ever did with any other
power. To humble Austria is ira
ditlon of French history and the po-
litiral necessity of Prussia. This
appeal to the people is skillfully made,
and If it shall stimulate Prussian
sentiment throughout France-if the
Emperor. who has already arranged
the alliance, shall seem to be forced
into it by national necessities, the
pamphlet will have accomplished all
1t was intended TO-
Must the expressions made here in
reference to the Rhenisl, frontier be
accepted as the Emperor's sentiments
on that subject? If Europe is to be
shaken by Il great war, with the terri
torlal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of Prussia for
its object, will France. us the ally of
Prussia, he satisfied with coal mine?
No one can believe it. 1t is we'll
enough to say to Germany just now
that France only wants n coal mine.
and it is also well enough to promise
to the French people that they shall
not be called upon for war cxpendi-
lures. BY that means, both will con
sent the more readily to this alliance:
but hy and by unforeseen circum
stances will arise making it necessary
to change this simple plan. France
may be forced to arm and even 10
occupy the Rhine. There is no tell
ing What may happen when war is
once begun; and if France does oc-
cupy the Rhine while Austria and
Prussia are contcnding for the mas
terry, then, If Prussia wins, she will
have enough to leave those provinces
magnanimously to France, while, il
Austria wins, France. i. self-dcfcncc.
Will be compelled to hold the Rhine
as natural frontier and safeguard
against the colossus. Thus, whoever
tnumph>, France will get more than
coal mine, though it is not expe-
dltnt tor her to say much about it ut
present.
Since Bisnark is praised in Pa-is
as the 'Eichelicu OF Prussia" and
accredited with having revived the
Schlcswig-Holstein question with
admirable ability, it cannot he longer
doubted that the question Of the
Duchies is mere prctext, that it is
brought i'll by Prussia only to give
her Il moral foothold for difference
with her great neighbor, and that
war for the aggrandizcment of Prus-
sla, and the abasement of Austria, is
the fixed programme of Bisnlark and
Napoleon. Ii the sentiment Of hos
tlllty to Austria shall run high in
France during this war, rs it proba-
bly, will. what Is TO become of the al
lance between Napoleon and that
unfortunate member Of the Hapsburg
family now i'll Mexico? France, sym
pathizing with PRUSSIA, will hate
Austria more than ever; can she.