The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-11
The War Cloud Of Europe.

From the London Morning Post, Oct. 49,,
The public win be glad TO learn that the apprehen.
sons OF war, arising, rs it ID supposed, from the
publication OF certain statements purpOrtng to have
been made by Baron Won Beust to the Austrian Army
Commission, may be dismissed. The Austrian Min
ister's speech has no doubt been unsupported. 1t
was confidential communication. But the question
which the Commission had to resolve seems to have
been whether, under existing circumstances, Austria
could hold her proper position in Europe with an
army OF less than 100000 men; and, though we do
point It may BE- ha he when Oh
Won Beust advanced to justify the proposal
were based on considerations having no ref
erence whatever to the possible or probable
proceedings Of France and Prussia. That
Austria IS preparing for European war. and dream
ing oil q formidable alliance, is rs being tncom-
patibe with her interests, Incredible; but 1t must be
recoiected that the events which compelled Austria
marked out the policy which she Is bound to pursue
and that 1t Is not as III there were contrayening
IDEAS, no ambition, and no inrigues Ia her way IL
Is not as II there were no black spots0 In the East
ern sky; and while Baron Won Beust may hope, as
we do, that they viii disappear, he cannot Ignore
the responsibility upon which Power would be
called to account If the peace OF Europe should be
broken, ms II were, upon It's weakness by the non
iuiniment OF obligations which constitute sort OF
TO the Army Commission REFERRED we believe, to the
Danube rather than to the Rhine.
We are, however, unable TO say that the uneasi
ness which has again been experienced Is altogether
unreasonable or that the fear which 1t represents Is
unfortunately indicate the conclusion which has
been hastily arrived at through doubts with respect
to the objects which the governments maintaining
them have In vew But at the some time it Is mat
ter OF fact that, the Paris MOniteuy has just de-
clared 1.-THE requisite conditions exist In Europe to
insure peace and tranquility. 1t may fairly be as
sumed, and without exaggeiatng the sense Of duty
which is generally entertained, that nation OF Eu
rope would be party spreading the horrors Of war
out OF mere thirst for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; and further,
and what Is essential to the understanding, that
no European government is competent to enter
upon war in which, IL would fail to receive national
support As things this IS in itself safeguard,
and the more as it Is obviously susceptible Of i'm
| provenent. The strong are kept In check by the
feeling not only that, In the long run, there will
come day Of reckoning for wrOng-doing. but that
Immediately even If it be crowned with success, the
wrongdoers are subject to distrust and suspicion,
which neutralizes the influence they as great Pow
ers should exercise. The triumph OF armed force
that which would throw us back to the Old days OF
robbery and violence-can hardly be contemplated,
even as q remote contingency, with indifference;
and If men do not now, as they once did, speak
aloud with their tongues Of the fire that Is hot within
them the most pacific are constrained to admit that
the policy Of nOn.interference may be abused.