The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-10

assembled s00Giss in all countries humanity,
instead of being impelled to doubt by the pub
LEGATION of trashy puerilities, would be en-
lightened and elevated The British assem-
blage in Norwich illustrates the prophetic ken
of the writer of the famous nursery rhyme in
which we are told, ''The man in the moon
came down too soon to inquire the way to Nor
wich."
France and Prussia-The War Prospect.
Our latest news from Europe is to the
effect that the war fever has not subsidized.
inspection tour throughout the Northern Con-
federation, the Emperor Napoleon was at the
camp of Chalons, and report of war speech
afterwards contradicted with salutary results)
made to the army sent the rentes down
alarmingly. Military inspection made by the
chief of North Germany throughout the Con-
federation and protracted visits to the head
quarters of the French army made by the
chief of the State do, at the present moment,
say the peacemakers what they may, mean
something serious. Surprising however, that
our belief in the peace prospect of Europe
was much stronger than it is, and that we
could afford to explain away the King
of Prussia's visit to saxony and the
Emperor Napoleon's visit to the camp at
Chalons, we should still feel perplexed by the
extraordinary constituencies of the Paris
Bourse. If French capitalists have faith in
the peace intentions of the Emperor wherefore
this fearfulness at the Bourse, this extraor-
binary trembling of the monetary balance ?
The excitement at the Bourse on Tuesday is
explicable only on the principle that French
capitalists, whatever faith they may have in
the empire, do not believe in peace.
We have already on several occasions of
late stated our reasons for believing in the
probability of on early war between France
and Prussia. For the present, therefore, we
do not deem it necessary to repeat them. In
yesterdays HERALD we gave it as our opinion
that war was avoidable only on one condition,
viz. that Prussia relinquish her hold on the
Rhine provinces. AS there is little likelihood
of Prussia doing this, and as there is just as
little likelihood of France being contented with
anything short of this, the question becomes
of paramount Importance. In the event of
war breaking out between France and Prussia
on which side lie the chances of success?
The question is nice, perhaps too nice in the
opinion of some persons to be definitely an
swered. Still it is the question par excellence
of the moment and deserves attention If
France is in every respect stronger in herself,
better prepared to begin and better prepared
to carry on war, there are few who will hesl-
tate to say that France must be the victor.
If, on the other hand, Prussia is in every
respect stronger, better prepared to begin and
better prepared to carry on war, there are just
as few who will hesitate to say that Prussia
must be the victor. Which, then, is in most
favorable circumstances for such a struggle
not to say-and we say it not because we are
influenced by any pro-French sympathy, but
from simple regard to truth, after
careful examination of all the facts. of
the case-France is unquestionably in
the most hopeful condition In the
first place France Is homogeneous
and compact nation. while Prussia in her new
confederation. So far, therefore, as union is
strength, the chances are in favor Of France.
| In the second place France has a larger popu-
| lation, larger army and in every respect
larger resources than the North German Con-
| federation. The area of North Germany is
| less by fifth than that of France. In 1866
the population Of North Germany was little
over thirty millions, while that of France was
| thirty-eight millions. The standing armies in
| the two countries are perhaps very much the
same but while France has always six hun
dred thousand in reserve the reserve of North
Germany does not exceed three hundred thou
sand. 1t is difficult to conceive how King Will
liam could get together at once and without
placing society in peril the nine hundred thou
sand men on whom Napoleon can count with
the utmost confidence. Much has been
made by the too enthusiastic friends
of Prussia Of her superior chances at
sea; but the truth is that here P russia COM
pares even less favorably than France. Her
tonnage when the free towns are included is
greater than that of France; but she has only
three iron-clads and some five hundred and
forty-nine guns with which to confront the
greatly more powerful navy Of Napoleon. So
far, therefore, as immediate resources 60 the
chances must be regarded as in favor Of
France. In connection with this part of the
subject II Is always to be borne In mind that
for rapidly of execution the French have no
rivals on the face of the earth. II took Prus-
STA twenty years to turn out her one million
needle guns. France has manufactured her
one million two hundred thousand Chassepots
in couple of years. In protracted struggle
Prussia might prove herself the most enduring;
but as protracted struggle is impossible, as
the fght il it takes place now, must be short,
sharp and decisive, the chances are infinitely