The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1867-04-18
The War cloud in Europe

The war Cloud III Europe.
The tenor Of all the intelligence from
Europe still looks to inevitable war
betwsenFrancs and Prussia upon tho
nominal question of the cession of Lux
emburg to France. But this is only
pretext. There are much higher and
more ambitious considerations that are
not automatically disclosed. 1t is re-
ally II contest for general supremacy
in Europe between two mighty and
ambitious powers, neither of them is
willing TO maintain u second position.
There has beon a hostile feeling for
nearly s year between tho military of
the two powers. In Prdssian military
circles and in the cafse at Berlin the
talk has been among the officers how
easy it would be forths splendid forces
now ut the disposal Of Prussia to march
to Paris. On the other hand the feel
ing in French pnblic PLACES, rs expires
sed by French military officers, was TO
this effect, Eyes, the Prussians have
defeated the slow and tardy Austrians,
but let them meetths French and diff.
erent story will be quickly told. We
shall have TO take the concoit cut of
them by again occupy ing Berlin
French officers have been attentively
studying the map Of Germany, and
their engineers have been making
sketches Of the principal fortrssses on
the Rhine. On the other hand the
prussisn military administration has
had its maps of France, Belgium and
Switzerland. Both powers have been
greatly adding to their military re-
sources for immediate use. The old
Of hostility between tho
Franks and the Teutons-a
feud Of fifteen centuries duration
bIazed out afresh. While such
have beenths internal manifestation
the Governments on each side have,
with the usual diplomatic inSincsrity,
professed pacific intention. But, as
both were arming for a fight, actions
with the outside world sounds louder
words.
There Is much speculation INDUCED
TO which, if it comes TO war, will be
victor in it. We propose, in this
connection, to indulge in some reflect.
.ons. The Prussion array, with the
exception Of its brief campaign against
The Austrians last summer, and some
lighting with the Danes, has seen no
active service since the great wars or
Napoleon, half a century ago. The
French army, on the contrary, has had
best Of all military schools in Al
siers and Northern Africa, which, for
many years, has occupied Its attention
n maintaining and extending its con
In addition, they had the
most valuable kind of experience in
he Russian war of1s55 The seige efl
tested their engineering and
science in every respect, as
we'll as disclosed its powers of transpor-
and commissary ability. 1t has
has also had the great Itatian-Austria
of 1859 to further disciplin, Its
and accustom them to active ser.
vice. The late successes Of the Prus-
'ianS with Austria were more due TO
gsneralship than fighting
The Austrians at Sadowa were
beaten by superior strategy by the
commanders, who effected a
junction of their forces on the field.
before which time the chances Of yicto.
~ were with the Austrians. 1t re-,
to be seen whether the French
Marshals can compete with ths Prus-
'ian Grown PrincoS. Our own opinion
s that Austria would greatly weaken
md embarrasS Prussia, even if she did
aot pronounce againsthSr, The break.