The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-27
Napoleon and BIsmark.
From The Herald.

From The Herald.
Our cable announcements for the last few
days in regard to certain deeply significant
on the part of Prussia and France
have naturally created not a little excitement.
On the one hand we learn that, by means of
treaties concluded with Bavaria, Wurtemberg,
and the grand duchy of Baden, Prussia has
put herself in position in which she will be
able to command the entire military strength
of the South German Confederation. On the
other hand, We are told that the Emperor
Napoleon favors a confederation of the Gov
ernments of France, Holland, Belgium, and
Switzerland against Prussia, and that the
recent movements of Prussia engendered in
France considerable bitterness of feeling-a
bitterness of feeling which has doubtless been
increased by a knowledge of the fact that King
Leopold of Belgium refuses to enter into the
EmperoT's proposed confederation.
Prussia and France are assuming more and
more the attitude of antagonists. We do not
say that there is danger of an immediate col
lisiOn. But both on the one side and on the
other there is visible struggle for supremacy
and an unconcealed anxiety to be ready for
any emergency. 1t is curious to see how, in
this as in other matters, Bismark has success
fully reduced to practice the teachings of
Napoleon. Napoleon was the first to proclaim
the doctrine OF united natonaGties Bismark
was the first to turn that doctrine to practical
account. Napoleon was the first to announce the
theory that henceforward in Europe the safety
of the smaller powers was to consist in enter
ing into alliances, offensive and defensive with
their larger and more powerful neighbors.
Here again, as in the former case, Bismark
has been the first to exhibit the doctrine in
practical shape. In this last affair." indeed,
the master has been compelled to initiate the
pupil, Bismark forms military alliances with
the smaller adjoining States. Napoleon sees
that his interest lies in adopting a similar
policy. In the one case, however, the expert
ment has been sucCessful; whether it will be
equally so in the other our most recent intel
hgence makes it appear doubtful. The game
which Napoleon and Bismark have been play
ing and which may be said to have commenced
at the celebrated Biarritz meeting in the spring
of last year, has been protracted and keen'
The moves which they have respectively made
on the political chess board have commanded
the attention of the world. That SKIN ana
caution, and daring have been manifested OH
both sides all must admit. If Napoleon mas
more than once been checkmated, it is to be
borne in mind, first of all, that while his opPo-
nent has been yielding up his entire energies
to the attainment of one end, he has, uhior-
tunately, been engaged throughout in more
! games than one, and, secondly, that this game
has not yet been concluded. The result, IN
fact, is as yet doubtful
1t is by no means improbable that before the
game is played out it may assume much
more serious character. The difficulties un-
solved by diplomacy may have to be referred
to the arbitrament of the sword. In the event
of Prussia and France coming into open COLI
sion, so numerous are the contingencies on
which the result is dependent, that he would
be bold man who should venture to predict
beforehand to which side victory would lean