The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-24
The Approaching European War.

Notwithstanding the assurances Of the
/ Vienna press that Austria is not arming,
the advices from Paris and other political
| centsess by the Persia last night show thai
| there is a pFOdigious ma5sing Of troops near
the old battle grounds of the former wars
between the two German Powers. But un-
| like the slow concentration Of forces in the
times Of Frederick the Great and Maria
| Theresa, the present movement is by steam.
| Every train to Silesia and Bohemia is
| crowded with the white coats Of the Austri-
an infantry all night long the heavy
/ freight trains burdened with cannon, and
| shell and shot and all the furniture OF war
rumble over the roads connecting Vienna
| with the North.
The splendid Imperial Hussars have be-
gun also their northward march. Forty
thousand men are already concentrated on
the borders Of Saxony.
A strategical point which Austria never
| possessed in the struggle with Frederick,
and Of immense importance to her-the
| City Of Cracow-is being fortified and heav-
lily gsrrisoned. Formidable gsrrisens are
being collected at the old historic points
Of Silesia, so famous in the wars Of the
eighteenth century. Even as in our civil
war, so many battles were fought over again
at certain fixed and necessary strategical
positions, so without doubt, if war result,
we shall hear OF battles between Prince
Charles and Gen. Bsnedek on fields which
are immortal with the names Of Frederick
and his Generals.
1t shows the grandeur Of the approaching
conflict, as well IS the danger Of Austria,
that asmies are moving at the same time
from Austria proper toward the Lower Dan
ube, Eastern SIlesia, Bohemia and the
Adriatic.
Dangers from Russia, Italy and Hungary
must be guarded against, as well as the
great attack IRON Prussia. The latter Pow
er is now without doubt preparing for the
field. Three corps are already spoken of
as under arms, and probably more can be
Immediately put in marching order, for it
must be remembered that Prussia has an
almost perfect military organization, and
can summon with the greatest rapidity
vast army to the fed. Her Government
has sent for a circular 70 the lesser Powers
of Germany, which shows the seriousness
of the position. She demands TO know cate
gorically what their course will be in case
Of an attack by Austria on the PrUssian ter
ritory, and prOclaims that in this struggle
''there can be no neutrality in Germany"
When it is remembered that Bavaria, Wur-
temberg, Saxony, and other minor German
States can put 900 men in the field, the
importance Of this demand and of its an
swer will be seen. The final and dreaded
conflict between the two Powers seems for
the moment delayed for the reply to this
diplomatic question; and in the meantime
the great Powers, France and England, are
having an opportunity 10 intervene and TO
propose compromise. England has no
weight in Germany, but France, with 60O,-
600 men to throw in one scale or the other,
will have to DO listened to. a compromise
is already suggested in the journalism ex-
change Of portion of Prussian Silesia to
Austria Tor the Duehies, which Prussia is
seeking TO "annex;" but in the present tenn
per both of the Prussian Cabinet and peO-
pie, it is doubtful if such an offer, even sup
posing it 10 be made, would ever be enter
tanned.
Austria's position and tone are even more
naughty and confident and passions are
now so much aroused that interest and pru-
dence may be lost sight OF. Her dangers
in the event Of a European war are certain
~ great, and yet she may take the old part
and DEFY them all, trusting to that luck or
power which has so often carried her
through even greater trials.
Italy has evidently determined to make
the bold stroke for Venetia, if the war be-
come fact, and we already hear of 40, 900
men concentrated near Bologna, and Of con-
frmed rumors Of an alliance between the
Prussian and Italian Governments.
The great question Of sll, however, the
position of France, is not answered. The
Emperor has given no sign 10 the world Of
what he will do. He waits to take that
place-ior which France willingly bears the
burdens in peace of SOC, 900 armed men-of
arbiter of nations; for that crisis, when
both parties standing urmed for the strug-
gle, his werd, and his 100000 bayOnets Of
tered to either will prevent war, or will
make the one certainly victor. And yet it
must be, even TO the French Emperor,
difficult path to choose. With Prussia, he
loses all chance and hope Of securing the
Rhine; with Austria, he takes the side I'M
popular in France, Of opposition to Italy
and the liberation of Venetia. So doubtful
would wal be in its issue for him, that our
hopes for peace, now, may we'll rest in his
interest in peace, and on his influential adj
vice prevailing.-N. Y. Times, 2OM.