The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-27
The General situation In Europe.

| RG the ~. CndfieH Hotel.
The General Situation In Europe
Never, perhaps, have the national and inter
national politics Of Europe presented features so
peculiar as they do of the present moment.
All our latest cable dispatches, as well as the
letters Of our special correspondents, not to
speak Of the tone Of the European press, prove
that the general situation is peculiar and en-
barrassing in the extreme. There is the Span
| ish revolution, with its many delicate and dan
gerous uncertainties. There is the rather
alarming collision between the French govern
ment and the French press collision which
as matters now stand, threatens to give bulk
and a force to the opposition ranks such as
they have not had since the establishments of
the empire. There is the jealousy between
France and Prussia jealousy which time,
in place of removing. increases and intensities
and which at any moment may divide Europe
into two hostile encarnpments. There is the
unsettled schleswig- Holstein question which,
to France or to France and Austria combined.
! furnishes readymade pretcxt for war with
!, Prussia, and which on an early day may 80 be
used. There is the perpetual war attitude
maintained by the kingdom OF Greece toward
| Turkey, which reveals itself in vari-
ETY. Of ways among others by It's Cham
Der Of Deputies passing votes of thanks
to the United States government for en-
couraging the cause Of Greece--an
equivocal compliment. There is the old
trouble in the Danubian Principalities-a
trouble which equally concerns Turkey, Rus
STA and Austria, and which, perhaps more
than any other, commands the attention of all
the great Powers Of the Continent There is
the peculiar internal condition of Austria
and the startling prominence which Hun
gary has assumed among the nationaltics
which constitute the Austrian empire. There
is the no longer concealed determination of
Russia to make common cause with Prussia
in the event of tho latter Power being attacked
by France, the more especially il Austria mani
fest any French proclivities. Over and above
all these questions, which are more or less
local in the range Of their influence, there Is
the growing disposition Of all the peoples Of
the European Continent to participate in the
privileges and responsibilities Of government
| Such, in brief Is the situation as it presents
itself to the student Of the national and in
ternational politics OF Europe.
Thus, looking at the state OF affairs in
Europe we are barred from coming to tho
conclusion that che nations OF that Continent
are now in stable or satisfactory condition.
That Europe is on the eve Of a great crisis no
one at all acquainted with the facts Of the case
| can for moment refuse to admit. A general
outburst is imminent. Where the first explo-
| sion liz to take place il is not so easy
to say. II may be In Spain; il may
be ON the Rhine it may be on the
Danube We may have another Peninsular
campaign on grand scale, or another
! Waterloo, or another Criruean war; Much
depends on the course which events now
| in progress in France win ultimately take. II
the prosecutions Of the press, which Napo-
take a turn injurious to his interests, a foreign
war may Ne found to be convenience. II is
/ not nj all impossible that events in Spain may
! invite French occupation, and Whatever
might be the effect OF such an occupation
throughout Europe generally, il would unqucs-
iionably command a certain amount Of popu-
Iarity in France, while II could not fail to have
the effect Of temporarily diverting attention
from domestic questions II, however, Spain
! should continue to manage her own affairs in
such manner as TO prevent anarchy and COM
mand external respect, an invasion OF the
Peninsula ny French troops would be franghi
with serious possibilities. The risk might be
too great for even Napoleon to run. In such
case the most convenient outlet for the sur
plus energy Of the French people would be
found on the northern border. A war with
Prussia would unquestionably be popular in
France. Both nations are strong. Both are
well armed and in every respect ready for &C
ton. Each is impatient 70 try the strength
Of the other. Such an event Is almost fearful
TO contemplate; for, while II would be one b
. the iercest and most terrific struggles on re.
! cord, IL could scarcely fail 70 bepet complica.
4 tions which would convert Europe into on,
|. great battle field. The only reason why sucl