The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-08
4 Reduction Of tho French Army
A Does it Mean Peacee


Rs~ersd Reduction Of tho French Army
Does IL Mean Peaces
Again we have q rumor from Paris con
veyed per 4 ne Atlantic cable, that the effectiv,
strength OF the French army is to be re
duced. This time, however. rumor is NOR,
specific. Fig ures are given. The proposed
reduction is d be to the extent of thirty -foul
thousand men. Whether this il an idle report
like some Of abe Others which have preceded
it, or whether sit is an echo of the truth, We
know not Nor is the point after all of very
material importa, ice. Considering that at the
present moment the French army numbers
over six hundred thousand fighting men, that
with the utmost es,se the number could be
raised, to eight hundred thousand, and by @
slight effort to, one million strong, the rumored
reduction is small in the OK rome. While,
however, we cannot consider the reduc ton,
even il it do take place to the extent indicated
as having any very deep sigmfcsace or as
holding out the hope of continued peace in
Europe, it is yet of sufficient impcstance to
warrant explanation, il that can be satislac-
torily given.
There can be'no doubt we think, that Ma
poleon; in present circum stances, is honestly
DESTROYS Of peace, if peace can be made com
patible. with,ths interests Of his dynasty and
with the honor and dignity Of France. He will
not plunge France into war unless there be
serious provocation, and unless, besides, there
be sreasonsble-nay, q certain-prospect that
Frauce'will be againer by the result The only
Power with which France il likely to have any
matters in that direction are not precisely such
as France could wish, 1t cannot be said that
there is any immediate provocation, nor Is it
at all certain that in q war with Prussia, under
existing circumstances, France would have it
all her own way. War with Prussia, there
fore, is not Immediately desired. But this is
not the only reason why Napoleon should
desire affairs to assume as peaceful an aspect
as possible. The demonstrations connected
with the Exposition and the royal and princely
visits which have been made TO Paris have
encouraged the hope, not in France only, but
throughout Europe, that the peaceful relations
which seem to subsist between the different
governments. will not rashly be disturbed.
Napoleon is too wise ruler and too watchful
q student of the cver-changing times not at
least to seem to act in harmony with the pre-
vailing spirit Besides, the Emperor's object
at the present moment is less to acquire ter
ritory less to test in open combat the strength
Of the military forces at his command, than to
consolidate bis throne and to build up his
dynasty on firm and lasting foundation.
Nor is 1t to be forgotten, in this connection,
that, Notwithstanding the undoubtedly pros
porous condition Of the empire, France Is bur
dened with gigantic debt and groans under
a weight OF taxation to which the Emperor
cannot afford to 10 indifferent To our mind
these are reasons sufficient why Napoleon
should no. only not take advantage of the
recently enacted laws to increase his army
but should not be unwilling considerably to
reduce its present effective strength.
| At the same time he would be bold man
who. looking at the map of Europe and taking
| into consideration the various questions o.
deep and immediate importance which yet
remain unsettled, could conclude that the
nationalities have settled down into condi
ton Of permanent contentment and repose
| In some of the extracts which we printed il
YESTERDAYS HERALD from the latest received
European journals IL is made abundantly
clear that the present state Of things, notwith
standing all appearances TO the contrary, de
serves to be spoken Of rather IS an armistice
than as . settled peace. In conversation
which Is reported TO have taken place beiweeT
| the Emperor Napoleon and the Grand Duke o
Baden the former did not conceal his disap
probation Of the ambitions encroechments o
Prussia. and the Grand Duke was duly in
formed that closer relations between the Cabi
nets Of Berlin and Carlsruhc would be reearde,
with little pleasure at tho Court Of the Tuile
ries Meanwhile the Grand Duke finds himse'
on the horns Of an awkward dilemma If b
Yields 70 the wishes Of Napoleon he oppose
the public sentimen. Of his people, who ar
10 favor Of q closer alliance with Prussia, an
n he complies with the wishes OF bis peopl
he incurs the displeasure OF Napoleon. Tn
Grand Duchy OF Baden, which 10 nea
ncighbor Of France, may yet prove q
large Q source Of annoyance as III
Grand Duchy Of Luxembourg. We reprinted
| also, an article from the London Pos
which denounces In vigorous terms the col
duct Of Prussia towards Denmark general.
and towards the inhabitants Of Norther
schlcswig in particular. The behavior Of Prl
sia in this matter has been in the last degrs
disAonorable. At the treaty Of Prague II vi
specially stipulated that the inhabitants
, Northern schleswig, who were Danish in syn
patty rs we'll ss In origin, should be Above
| IN aetermins nv popular vote whether the