The New York herald., 1867-04-20

Our latest nsws from Europe, both by ca bio
and mail, is unmistakabiy warlike. The
Luxembourg aKair, small and at 6rst sight in
significant, threstsns to become . much more
serious matter for Europe than the long talked
Of Eastern question. The situation to all lovers
Of peace Is truly alarming. No enc Who has
the slightest knowledge Of the stata Of feeling
in France and Germany can for moment
doubt that Il is the Paris Exhibition, and that.
only, which hinders the French troops iron
dressing the frontier and pIunsing into the
very heart Of Prussia We say this not boz
cause we are at all certain that IN contest
between France and Prussia victory would bs
ultimately on the side OF the former
Power, but because we ere satisled that
the first blow must be struck by France.
Prussia will not make herself responsible for
the actual commencement Of hostilities nor
is 1t necessary she should, for she is already in
actual possession Of the fortress regarding
which the difficulty has arisen.
Pity II is that matter Of this sort could NOT
be settled BY peaceful means Should war
break out 1t is impossible to predict where or
how it may end. The fame once lit, the confia-
grafton, it il all but certain, VIII sweep with
devastating force over the length and breadth
Of Europe, destroying property, cramping tho
springs Of industry, cutting down the flower Of
the population by thousands, and forever ex-
tinguishing ancient and cherished landmarks.
Heavy will be the responsibility Of that Power
which shall take the initiative in such .
war. Yet II is not easy to determine who
Is to blame for matters a. they now
stand Prussia, perhaps, exceeded her
rights when she garrisoned the fortress Of
Luxembourg during the late German war; but
it would not be difficult to discover reasons
numerous and important enough to justify
such step. Abstractly she may be wrong in
maintaining her occupation, now that the war
has been ended; but abstract rights have never
been allowed to rule whom the game Of poll
tics or Of war has run high. No one caa
blame France for seeking to acquire by honor.
able purchase frontier fortress Of % much
Importance. The chief Wee ID the whole affair.
to our mind, consish IN the cool and impud eaA
determination Of the King Of Holland TO bartes
away his duchy without regard 70 the wishes q
the population; as II IN this nineteenfh century
the Inhabitants Of n ancient ana highly civil
ICED European province were TO bs bought an&
sold like 90 many cattle. Its little too muc4
for grand duke or even king to attempt in
this age Of public opinion. Efforts In all like,
lihood win be made to make the question Z
subject for European Intervention. This seema
to be the desire Of Russia The duchy Of Lux.
emburg was confirmed in the possesslon Of tha
King Of Holland BY the treaties Of 1889, when
the kingdom Of the Netherlands WAS split
up, and the separate Kingdoms Of Holland
and Belgium were established We're II net
that for some time past We have been In the
habit Of seeing European treaties made Of but
little account, We should certainly cay that tho
great Powers who signed these treaties should
be again consulted before any future disposl-
tion is made. II they be consulted We should.
not be surprised 10 find that war had been
averted by an agreement to the effect that the
duchy Of Luxembourg should be proclaimed
neutral territory.
II some such arrangement Is not come to
war ID inevitable. The collision, n it do take
place, will be fearful II war alliances, IS Il
by no means impossible, be formed on both,
sides, Europe win present to the world
spectacle such as she has not presented since
the days of the first Napoleon, and another and
more lasting peace may date from another and
Grander Waterloo. II, however, France and
Prussia are allowed to fight It out alone It will
be one Of the briefest and most brilliant, one
Of the shortest, sharpest and most decisive