The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-03
The New war Cloud 4. Europe.

The New War Cloud In Europe.
The French and German journals have com.
menced to handy words on the subject of the
political relations existing between the two
countries, and to discuss the probable intentions
of Napoleon and King William for war OF peace
in very of-handed manner, and language by
no means courteous-soarcely, indeed, polite.
From Berlin to Paris and from Paris to Berlin,
in reply. the newspaper writer's appear to
be engaged in throwing dirt at each other in
| the name of the two nations, and thus assist in
charging more completely with explosive ma
terials the war cloud which Is gathering over
the Continent
| Our cable dispatches and special corre-
spondencs during the past three weeks have
shown pretty clearly that Napoleon is making
preparations for war; purchasing cavalry
horses on large scale. driving his military
workshops night and day. and Fastening on
the work on his unfinished iron-clads with
great activity. The German Bourses became
excited and the London Change distrustfal.
This state Of affairs engaged the attention Of
the Prlssian official organs in Berlin, and it
was quickly minated that the French Emperor
was likely TO spring war on Germany The
Paris journals denied the inference and claimed
the most peaceful intentions for his Majesty.
Next came the North Schleswig question,
or question of guarantees for the German
subjects OF the King of Denmark, and the
advice to Napoleon to see to the enforcement
| of the treaty of Prague. There is no doubt
that the French Emperor addressed note
10 the King of Prussia on both This fact was
at once taken hold of by the German writers,
who called on the King to "repel French in
trusion in German politics." The Paris Moni-
| ter, which speaks for the Emperor, replied
by positive denial that any French note had
been written or sent to Berlin. Germany was
prompt in refutation; for the leading organs of
the Prussian Cabinet q. once reiterated that
Napoleon did address a note to the govern
that King William replied ia defiant tone"
and hence the "false assertion" of the Paris
Moniteu Lord Stanley's statement to Parlia-
ment corroborated the accuracy of the in
formation of the Prussian journals; for the
English Foreign Secretary said that the French
| Emperor had forwarded note to the King Of
Prussia, but that it would be Improper to
disclose its contents"
| In such unpleasant form do we receive evil
dence ofthe continued existence of that national
| ill-will between the Germans aud the French
| which may be said to be hereditary. The
newspaper writers keep the subject before the
| peoples by infammatory words conveyed in
| coarse language but this is scarcely neces-
sary; for the peoples are ready and anxious to
fight whenever the word is given. That it will
be given soon we have little doubt, and then
France and Germany will engage in a struggle
almost without parallel in Its Intensity and not
equallcd in fury during the wars waged by
Germany against the French republicans 10
1884, or by Germany and her allies against
the French empire in 1912. The issue is mo-
| mentous-no less than complete and radical
change in the face of Europe-and 1t cannot
| be averted.
| Young Germany contains within her bosom
some few elements of reactonary discomfort;
but her people hate the French, and will unite
to fight them. The tendency Of the German
mind is healthfully republican, and the edu-
Gated classes, or Pan Germanists, support Bis
marck solely on account of the democratic
| tendencies Of his legislation. In the material
appliances of war Germany is powerful, in the
patriotism of her people confident, and in the
| great military adjuncts Of railroads and tele-
graphs she has been ahead Of France for some
time. What France is in war and what she
| has accomplished in the field we know already.
| By war, and war alone will the national pre-
JUDGES of the French and Germans be allayed
and the territorial boundaries and future status
of each nation defined.
The other Powers of Europe will, from in
terest or fear, stand aside and look on. England
will not, perhaps cannot, in view Of the home
situation, interfere. Ialy has quite enough to
do in seeking to keep few forms in her
treasury and hold tho balance between Carl
baldi and the Pope; the king Of Holland will
waver but his people will join Germany; Aus
tria has been faithle,s to Germany and France;
and Russia, delighted with the din of battle,
will leave both parties TO fight on until she has
marched to Constantinople.
Such are the elements and issues wrapped
up in the new and dark war cloud now settling
over Europe, the bursting of which will pro-
duoe effects as astonishing, and perhaps as
decisive towards France, as any of those that
resulted from the sudden appearance Of the
Prussian army at Waterloo.
| What tho Democrats should DO.