The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-21
The Gathering Storm.

With every successive steamer which now
comes to us from the other side of the Attain
tic the prospect seems to grow more and more
certain that widespread and terrible war is
about to burst over Europe. So imminent at
last advices, did such an event appear, that it
is not improbable that hostilities have already
commenced. The failure of the different
Powers invited to the Conference of Paris to
devise any basis of adjustment; the arrogant
persistence of Prussia; the defiant attitude of
Austria; the irrepressible eagerness of the It
alians, who, in the hope to realize by the cen
quest of Venetia their dream of ''rnited 1t
aly," camor to be led to the battlefield; the
uncertain position of Russia, and the evident
willingness of the French Emperor to permit
a conflict out of which he hopes to gain large.
ly, all these circumstances seem to combine
in destroying the last hope of those who have
still believed in the possibility of peace. In
what quarter we are to look for the first out
break of hostilities, it is impossible to say
Indeed, it appears not improbable that the
fires may be lighted almost simultaneously in
various parts of Europe. Prussia, at last ac-
OOuuto, iidu ducduy tnIOWu iolCC tuc
disputed duchy of Holstein, an act which win
perhaps be looked upon as virtual commence
ment of war. Austria will doubtless take
measures to repossess herself of Silesia, wrest
ed from her by the great Frederick; the Dan
phian- Personalities offer a tempting field for
some enective operations, while south of the
Alps, Garsbaldis i-arseier1t poo
the first call of their leader to spring to arms.
Every indication goes to show that the i'm
pending conflict is likely to spread itself over
wide area. 1t is war for boundaries, and
it can hardly fail to shake all Europe to its
centre before all the questions are decided
which the sword has now to settle. Not since
the time of the first Napoleon has the old
world witnessed any contest of such ma9ni-
tude. Its progress will be watched in this
country with an intensity of interest which
perhaps we should not have felt a few years
ago, when we had not learned from our own
bitter experience the full meaning of war.
Then, too, the immense improvements
which modern science and invention have
made in engines of destruction have brought
a new element of interest into the subject
The European powers have never settled any
question of dispute with such weapons OF
such missiles as were used in this country to
beat the life out of the Secession Confedera-
cy. But now they will hasten to make use of
whatever the inventive American genius has
devised, and 1t will be like another battle of
the Titans
The result of it is, of course, impossible for
any human intelligence to forecast. We are
so far fortunate in the matter, that our remote
position prevents us from feeling other than
indirectly the ill effects of European disturb
ances. The only part for us to act is to hold
ourselves as calmly aloof as possible, and
while maintaining an honorable neutrality, Of
fer to the unfortunate ofevery nation refuge
and home, and await the developments of
history,