The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-09
The Coming Continental War.

nHu an SSJdDlSH0u POllOyJ ~ hao bb6H Jn6
diplomatic rule of the Ministers of the Crown
to keep the country in the first rank of nations,
by "holding the balance of power" M.
Thiers defines the 'baance of power" as ga
divided Germany, a divided Italy, and a
united France" and bitterly assails the pre-
sent Napoleon because of his having allowed
the supremacy of France to pass away by
allowing Germany to become Prussia, and
Italy to become unit 1t would seem, how
ever, from the advices which come to us
to-day, that the Emperor has determined to
show that the charge of nj. Theirs is ill
founded, and has already taken steps which
will either lead to the annexation of Holland,
Belgium, and Switzerland, or else to an open
war with Prussia. The indications which we
have received are of the most ominous char
aoter. At the time of the Fenian outbreak,
few weeks since, we called attention to the
hopelessness of the enterprise by the total
absence of all effect on the stock market. The
Consols are the best barometer that can be
laid before the public. Any real danger of
national power at once influences them, and
when we received the cable despatch of the
fall of all Government stocks, we had much
more sure intelligence of danger than if the
minutia of the Emperor's intentions were laid
before us.
We cannot, therefore, but take it for granted
that if a war does not cOnVulse Europe, there
is at least strong reason for fearing one. Not
only does the condition of the Empire lead us
to believe that Napoleon must see that a
foreign and popular war is necessary for the
retention of his hold on the affections of the
French people, but also we can now see the
preparation on the part of Prussia which
clearly foreshadowed anticipated war. Not
long since the financial Solons were astonished
at the proposals of that Government for loan
of $50, 100000. No one could see what that
sum was needed for. All the expenses of the
late war had been paid by the defeated Govern
ment, and why then should Prussia seek to
negotiate another loanH The reason is now
developed. Bismark saw the approach of the
conflict with France which is now so evident
and, by timely loan, sought to prepare the
Treasury for the new demand to be made
upon it.
In regard to the probable issue of the con.
fict, we cannot, of course, foretell what acci-
dent may, turn the fate of battle but Judging
from the physical strength of the two powers,
we think the prospect of success rests with
France. 1t may be true, as Bismark says,
that elf we place Germany in the saddle. we
shall find her quite able to ride" but it seems
to us that longer time than eight months is
required to confederate into one so many frag-
ments of powers. A confederacy such as that
of North Germany is always unwieldy, espe-
| cially before the various States have grown
| accustomed to a common government, so that
| while Prussia has increased her subjects from
| eighteen to forty millions, yet there has been
! really very little increase of military strength
| The needle gun has not yet been supplied tc
her new auxiliaries, and really the contest
| must rest between France proper and PrussiS
| proper. Both nations just now have
great prestige attached to their names
Each is led by "a chief wht
stands in the foremost rank of diplomats
But France has a thoroughly disciplined
army of 100000 men, and, in a foreign war
its population is a unit The Liberals VIII,
have been reproaching the Emperor for in
action must now stand by him, so that
united France, with friendly Austria ant
semi-friendly Holland and Belgium, AM
neutral Italy, will be well able to cope 70
mastery with even that Government whicl
stretches from the Alps to the Baltic, an
rules all citizens between the Vistula and tn
Rhine, The struggle will be between giants
and the decision will remap Europe. HOY
soon it will begin no one can tell. Before tn
month is out all the Continent may be in arms
--------A--
: LuxENBoURG.-"The Emperor hesitates to re
lease Holland from her engagement" say
the Associated Press despatch by the cable
and we are supposed to be at once familia
, with the state of affairs in the French Cabinet
, As we do not yet know what the 'engage
ment" was, and the hesitation of the Empe
2 ror is entirely natural, although decidedly ur
diplomatic, we do not see that we know muc
= more than we stated few days since.
3 seems probable, however, that if the "hesit;
e ton" ends in his insisting on the cession
Luxembourg, that war with Prussia will inte
9 rupt the Exposition. 1t is evidently the polio
S OF France to keep things in allegiance unit
/ tba EvposifiO,, ;e IL ~;