The New York herald., 1867-04-20


Our latest nsws from Europe, both by ca bic
and mail, is unmistakabiy warlike. The
Luxemburg affair, small and at 6rst sight in.
significant, threatsns to become o much more
serious matter for Europe than the long talked
Of Eastern question. The situation to all lovers
ofpeace Is truly alarming. No one who has
the slightest knowledge of the state of feeling
in France and Germany can for moment
doubt that II is the Paris Exhibition, and that,
only, which hinders the French troops from
Dressing the frontier and plugging into the
very heart Of Prussia We say this not be-
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 are satis1ed that
the first blow must be struck by France.
Prussia will not make herself responsible for
the actual commencement Of .hostilities nor
is it necessary she should, for she is already In
actual possession Of the fortress regarding
which the difficulty has arisen.
Pity it is that matter Of this sort could NOT
be settled by peaceful means Should war
break out it is impossible to predict where OF
how 1t may end. The fame once Lit, the conAa-
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 1t is not easy to determine who
is to blame for matters as 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 can
blame France for seeking to acquire by honor.
able purchase frontier fortress Of 50 much
importance. The chief Wee ii the whole affair.
to our mind, consists in the cool and impudent
determination Of the King Of Holland to barter
away his duohy without regard 70 the wishes q
the population; As II in this Nineteenth century
the Inhabitants Of N ancient and highly civil
ICED European province were 10 be bought an&
sold like 90 many cattle. Its little too much
for grand duke or even king to attempt in
this age Of public opinion. Efforts In al 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 posssssIon of tha
King Of Holland by the treaties Of 1889, whea
the kingdom Of the Netherlands was split
up, and the separate kingdoms Of Holland
and Belgium were established. Were 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-
don Is made. II they be consulted We should (
not be surprised TO find that war had been
averted by an agreement to the eject that the
duchy Of Luxembourg should be proclaimed
neutral territory.
II some such arrangement Il not come to
war b inevitable. The collision, Il 1t do take
place, will be fearful II war alliances, as ID
by no means impossible, be formed on both,
sides, Europe win present to the world .
spectacle such a. she has not presented slace
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, ons
of the shortest, sharpest and most decisive
wars which the world has yet seen.
Mcdiation in Mexico.
The subject of mediation In the affairs ar