The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-15
General Middle In European Affairs.

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| General Middle In European Affairs.
Since the Luxembourg affair in the early
months of 1867 Europe has been in no such
middle as she is at the present moment. The
only visible and tangible difference is that
then there was casus belE and that now
there is none. France is equally menacing
and equally loud in her assurances of peace.
Prussia is equally calm, but equally dignifed
and determined. Our latest news from the
various European countries shows that doubt
and uncertainty have taken firm hold of the
public mind, and that in the probable continu-
ance of peace no one has faith. AL French
officials, from those of the highest to those of
| the lowest grade, are as loud as ever in their
| protestations of peace; but while France cries
| ''Peace" and Prussia reduces her army the
world refuses to be deceived, and the monetary
balance trembles ominously in Paris, in Lon
! don and at Frankfort. ''No fear of war, but
war possible tomorrow" is the not unjust
verdict Of every political and monetary centre
in Europe.
Among the suggestive and rather alarming
alliance offensive and defensive is about to be
concluded between France and Spain, and
another is that the opinion is entertained that
Baden, without delay, will be annexed to Prus-
sia.. Napoleon, we know for fact, has left
Paris for Biarritz, where it is generally ex-
pected he will honor Queen Isabella with an
interview. 1t is also well known that If an
interview does take place the real object of
the interview will be some such alliance as
that above mentioned. Queen Isabella, it ap-
pears, is DESTROYS to figure as defender Of the
Papacy, and promises in the event of the
Franco-Spanish treaty being concluded to
send forty thousand men and a naval squadron
to the assistance of the Holy Father, thus set
ting Napoleon at liberty to pursue his designs
in the North. 1t is notorious that the Prince
de Girgenti, brother to the ex-King Of the Two
Sicilies, and his young wife, daughter of Queen
Isabella, have been Of late the objects of con-
siderable attention at the French Court An
other suggestive rurnor Is to the effect that
several fighting regiments have recently been
recalled from Algiers, as if Napoleon meant
action. At the same time. as if Russia were
becoming more interested in coming events.
we have 1t announced that General Lebikof
has been despatched on special mission to
the Court Of King William.
The muddlc is as complete az il well can be-
We are not disposed TO place implicit faith in
all the details of all these rumors: but that
they rest on basis of truth is not to be denied
We cannot believe that a treaty precisely such
rs Queen Isabella would wish will take prac-
tical shape; but that some treaty will he
signed between the two Powers is now all
but certain. 1t win certainly be one of
the peculiarities of the times as well as the
popularity in the history of the Bonapartes
to see the heir of the First Napoleon in the
rifle of a defender of the Bourbons. However
this reported interview may issue, whatever
shape these treaty arrangements may ulti-
mately assume, this much at least is now
ceriain--the present relations of the Courts
of Paris and of Madrid do not encourage
hopes of peace. We do not believe that
Prussia will provoke war by the forcible an
noxaton of Baden; but II Baden voluntarily
seeks annexation we have no notion that
Prussia will refuse to accede to her wishes.
But the annexation Of Baden, forcibly or by
voluntary consent, 10 not possible in present
circumstances without war. Napoleon cannot
consent to such an arrangement without OBJ
tanning adequate compensation, and adequate
compensation means the incorporation of Lux
emburg, Belgium and Holland with the French
empire. Thus while European difficulty is
becoming daily more and more general it
centres on the Rhine. On the old battle field
of Europe the question of supremacy must
again be contested and determined.
IL does not much surprise US to find the
Prussian journals openly calling for an
alliance with Russia and declaring the neu-
trality of Great Britain impossible in the event
Of French troops entering Belgium and Hol-
land. II an alliance offensive and defensive
is concluded between France and Spain,
Italy, indignant, will rush into the arms OF
Prussia. A Russo Prussian alliance may be
considered certain. The position of Austria
Is doubtful, and, in the event of war, prcg-
nant of danger to herself. No European
Power has more to gain by peace, more TO
lose by war. As the complication increases
interest becomes intensified Much now de-
ponds on the result of the Biarritz interview.
SEPTEMBER SESSION OF CoNeHEss DOUBT
FUL.-The latest reports from Washington say
that Senator Morgan and Representative
Schenck will most probably decide against q