The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-22
Will THERE BE WAR IN EUROPE :.

a. s- j.
In our remarks last week upon the situation
of affairs in Europe, we gave it as our opinion
that, for the present at least, there will be no
war; probably none this year. We will to-day
again take survey of the field, assisted by the
.advices that have since come to hand. The
French army deems it absolutely necessary that
France should humble the arrogant, presump-
tuous Prussians, as they disdainfully speak Of
their neiehbors; while on the other hand the
Germans are tired of the airs John Crapaud
gives himself. and of the never ending refrain
of the Rhine frontier and they are of the
opinion that the sword can give.a more definite
settlement to these question than diplo-
macy, which, after; years Of industrious en-
dearor, has signally failed in adjusting the
pending controversy 1.-The satisfaction OF both
disputants NAPOLEON desires war to regain
the prestige which he has lost as the great con-
ltroliing powerin Europe. Prussia would like
i to fight France; to finish the work she has 80
4 gloriously begun, of establishing Germany upon
a solid Union basis, and give her the political
i position and influence, to which she is entitled
by virtue of her geographical position, her pop
ulation, resources, civilization and progress.
All mark her the first power in Europe; and
BIsMARcK's 8 genius will not rest until he has
recovered that which is the birthright, of his
nation. This rivalry between France and Ger
many can only be settled by, the sword -.
But when we say that the French desire var,
we do so witha reservation. They naturally
desire first to be properly prepared for SO great
q struggle. They have neither q sufhiciency fhici Of
men at present, nor of improved arms. a mil mil
lion Of Chassepot guns are making, but, it is
Thought, cannot be beeompleted this year. The
French soldiery, We learn, have superstitious
dread of the Prussian needle gun, and have no
desire to expose themselves to its quick and
fatal work until they, can meet it with Wea-
pom equally potent. We learn that the Cadets
at ST. Cyr (the future officers Of the French
army, are all studying German preparatory to.
going on their travels the French officers
omit noopportunity of inaaming the minds of
| their men against Prussia,-tha the first cap
/ tains and military heads in France, with inde-
fatigable zeal and industry, are engaged in
perfecting the work Of the reorganization of
1.-The army. AL these are tacit confessions that
France has lost her position as arbiter in the
affairs of Europe, and that she is making her
culean efforts to recover it by force Of arms.
But the French people ut large are not in
! favor. Of war They find that France has lost
influence, and In their opinion it is hopeless to
attempt to recover it: They are opposed to the
creation of so;vast IAN army as is. proposed,
alleging that while it is extremely doubtful
whether or moi. France, even with this giganl-
tic army, may be able to recover her position
ih-the Councils of Europe, it is certain that
| such q force can enly work prejudicially on
the liberties of the people. Hence the bitter
ness of the opposition. The question of the
| reorganization of the army has not yet come
| UP for debate. A long and stormy discussion
! is expected as the opposition to the measure is
widespread and deep. The leaders of the
ssleft' are constantly endeavoriGg tsspasspsfate
the interests Of the,.E-aperor from those OF
France and-to show that while the former
required war to cover up the numerous
blunders of his government, there was no such
necessity for France. -, -
The people of Luxembourg are opposed to
the annexation Of that territory to France. A
small part of them only, especially among
mobiles and offceholders, are French in their
predictions, their education having been
French, and their prejudices and procli7ities
being in the same direction. The mass OF the
people prefer to remain as they have been, and
are now, independent, owing allegiance only to
the King of Holland. But this is impractical
ble A province of 100000 souls is not rich
enough to find the men, and support the gar
fison, and keep in repair fireworks of first
class European fortress; and if the fortress
must be surrendered to other hands, it would
i seem to us that Prussia would be naturally Sc
/ Iected as its custodian; anu accordingly we find
that the Industrial and commercial part Of the
population have pronounced their preference
| for that Government Prussia, on former oc-
casion, made an effort to acquire possession of
the province when the King of Holland replied
i that he would remain faithful to the ancient
motto of his House and s.hold fast" and not
sell any part of his kingdom, as though it were
b mere farm If, notwithstanding this resolu-
ton, he entered into negotiations with France,
it must be looked upon es proof positive of his
hostility to Prussia. The Germans allege that
this is due to the fact of the annexation by BIS
MARcK of the little Duchy of Nassau last year
| its petty sovereign being near relative to
the King of Holland. Although Holland
and Belgium are perfectly secure in their
independence, and have nothing to fear
| from Prussia, the King of Holland has
taken pains to inspire his people with
| distrust of the intentions of BISMARCK, and to
incline them to look to France for countenance
| and help. At first the French were asked to
use their influence to make Prussia cvaCuatc
the fortress of Lux embourg. From this came
the proposition to cede the entire province to
France and the negotiations had already been
concluded, it is said, pending only the popular
vote of the people themselves, which, under the
circumstances, as is well known from past ex-
perience in French pleJiscitcs, would have been
mere empty form.
But Prussia protested with some energy, and
NAPOLEON has declared his readiness to waive
his rights in the matter, if Luxembourg pe
permitted to occupy neutral position. But
this is impossible. The fortress is and must
remain German, and his Imperial Majesty VIII
find that he has added another to his many
mistakes in his foreign policy. and that no
more glory will accrue to his Government from
these negotiations than from the demand on
Prussia for rectfcation Of the French from
tier ON the Rhine As we have said above,
these and other questions that will arise can
only be settled by the sword, but the time tor