The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-05-02
EUROPEAN COMPLICATIONS.

what is usually termed the signs of the
times; yet we do think there does APP
pear occasionally certain iudica of por-
tentous events, which no amount of
nanchaance can entirely ignore. Such
4 vast amount of capital is involved in
the commercial relations of this country
with Europe that every one of the
slightest forecast must seriously depre-
cate a disturbance CT the peace OF Eu-
rope, but that public tranquility can con-
tinue very long on the Continent no one
believes. who is at all familiar with
public affairs, for kilograms are arriving
every day surcharged with news Of such
a character as to preclude such posi-
bility The Luxembourg question is not
the Only one which will be submitted to
the arbitrament of arms The Roman
question is still one of very great inn
portance in European politics, and al
thoagh France has withdrawn her troops
from Rome. and thereby ceased to pro-
tect the Pope by force, she, nevertheless,
sustains him by diplomacy, and by all
the moral force aud sympathy of her
vast empire This action on the part of
France has rutf1ed the gaudy feathers of
the parrenue kingdom of Italy, which
is now squirting towards an alliance
with Prussia. What is termed the Eas-
tern question, or the integrity Of the
Turkish empire is another bone of con-
tentiau, which is looming up again.
Russia, if not secretly widening the
breach between France and Prussia, is
quietly biding her time, with her eagle
eve intently fixed on Constantinople,
and as soon as the conflict begins she
will pounce upon the "sick man." cut
his throat, and take possession of the
Cttgito1 Of the ConstdntiAes. That this is
| the object of Russia is further corrobo-
rated by the fact that she secretly assists
the European provinces of Turkey in
their revolt, particularly Servia, Crete,
Thessaly and Epirus-to whose success
a Russian prince lately "drank a bump
er." But the question of most vital i'm
portance is the Luxembourg business,
and if it were not fer the nomentous
consequences which aresure to resultfrom
its solution, it would be ridiculous, not
to say absurd, for its area in square
miles is not more than good county in
West Virginia, containing a population
of only about two hundred thousand
souls. But this little piece Of territory
lies on the frontiers of France, in po-
sition OF very great importance in a
military point of view, and contains
one of the strongest fortresses of Europe,
the master piece of Nauban.
Since 1914 Luxembourg has been in
the possession of Holland, and has had
some kind of political connection with
the German Confederation, and the for
tress has been occupied by the Confede
rate army. The late conflict between
Prussia and Austria having disrupted
the old German Confederation the Lux
emburg is occupied by Prussian troops,
and is at present entirely under the con-
troll of that power. SWhat negotiations
have TRANSFERRED between France, Prus-
STA and Holland it is impossible to say.
1t is quite certain, however, thai Count
Bismarck has notified the Emperor of
the French that the cession contemplated
cannot take place without the consent of
Prussia, which consent will never be
voluntarily given, as in case Of future
difficulty between France and Prussia,
the possession OF the Luxembourg would
give to France an overwhelming adj
vantage Meanwhile both powers are
making the most gigantic preparations
for war. Every grown man in Ger
many outside of Austria is about to be
made a soldier, which will make the
complement Of her army about one
million men. A war with such power,
organized as it is, is an enterprise of
such moment, that it will not be under
taken without serious cause, and the
most thorough preparation. And ac-
cordingly we find that the Emperor Of
the French is conscious of the import
ance Of the issue involved, and is
making the necessary preparations for
ff,1J IL. l. 10,