New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-09
THE ALLIES or PRUSSIA And FRANCE.

Whenever the present complication in Europe
shall ripen into war between Germany and
France, the attitude of the other Powers be-
comes matter of prime importance More
than one of the recent great wars in Europe
has been decided not by the superiority of one
of the original belligerents, but by the alliance
of other powerful nations. The war in 1859,
between Austria and Italy, would most probably
have had very different issue if France had
remained neutral in question in which she
was not at all concerned. In 1885, the battles
of Custozza and LISA predicted for Italy some
thing very different from the acquisition of
Venetia, if she had had TO fight single-banded
with Austria and even Prussia would certainly
not have had 30 easy victory if the army of
Benedek had been strengthened by that of
Archduke Albrecht. Whatever, therefore, may
be the relative strength Of Prussia and France,
the prospects of success will be considerably
altered by the alliances the one or the other
party may succeed in concluding. -+.
1t is natural that the negotiations for con-
Guiding such alliances, and the alliances them
selves, should be kept profound secret as long
as it is possible. Thus it is the case in the
present complication. No official notice has yet
been given of any alliance having been con-
Guided by either Prussia or France, though no
one doubts that both Powers are making the
highest bids for the aid of the other, and es-
pecially of the Great Powers of Europe. In
default of any official statements, we have to
guess as we'll RS we can from the language OF
official and semi-offical papers the leaning OF
the several Powers. These papers give us, IL
no case, q decisive answer, but may, IN some
instances, give us a probability. From care
full examination of our European files, we be.
lieve the present attitude of the several
European Powers in regard to the Luxembourg
complication to he about as follows: .,a
England is almost sure to follow policy OF
strict neutrality. Public opinion is unmistak
ably in favor of non-interference in the Con
tinental troubles and it is not likely that any
Ministry would dare, in this question, TO defy
the people. The language of the official and
Unofficial press of st. Petersburg, though
cautious, and still expressing hope for tbt
preservation of peace. does not conceal the
sympathy of Russia with Prussia. There is 0
widely circulated rumor that an offensive and
defensive alliance between the two Powers had
been concluded several months ago, and the
Russian Government has thus far not contra
dicted the rumOr. According to Cable dis
patch received last night, reports from Warsaw
state that the Russian Government is cOncen-
trating troops in Poland. If the report is
correct, the significance ia apparent. 1t would
be ominous for France ..----..
France is making special efforts to win over
Italy and Austria The recent change of the
Italian Ministry is generally aseribed to the In
fuence Of Napoleon. Ricasoli, the late Prime
Minister, is regarded as the unwavering cham
pion of o Prussian alliance. When last year
La Marmora advised the King to conclude
separate peace with Anstrin, and to accept'fron
the latter Power the offered cession of Yenetii,
Ricasoli is said to have denounced this advice,
which the King for a time showed O DISPOSE |