The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-26
War Alarms In Europe.

WAR Alarms In BurOOos
II is only few days since we expressed our
opinion as to the probable consequences of
the new French Army bill Our worst fears
promise to be realized quite as soon, if not
sooner, than we had expected. Our latest tele-
grams are far from reassuring as to the con-
tinuance of peace on the European Continent
Provincial revolutions are announced as hav-
ing broken out in Spain oo,ps d6tat are con-
templated in Portugal the Russian press
critcises the French position and expresses
defiance; the French press informs us that
Russia is the only Power not now in harmony
with the rest Of Europe and, to crown the
whole, France, it is reported, is about to nego-
tate an extraordinary loan of seven hundred
and fifty millions Of francs. There are two
inferences which this exhibition of the case
renders irresistible. The first is that the
European Powers, one and all, are in state
Of discomfort and uncertainty compared to
which war itself would be a positive relief
The second is that in she event OF present com
plications leading to war France and Russia,
rather than France and Germany, will, with
subordinate help on either side, appear as The
great rival combatants
The present alarm, as we have said, is due
mainly to the measures which France is adopt
ing to re-establish herself rs the umpire of Eu-
rope. We are not by any means satisfied that
the Emperor Napoleon means war; He is far
more ambitious OF power in the councils Of the
nations than Of victory on the battle field. War
ohah 81, -.
in which this power is persistently ignored by
the other nations. The new Army bill places
Napoleon as well as Fr,nce in new and
more favorable position. II the power now at
the Emperor's command is courteously and
respectfully acknowledged by the rest Of Eu-
rope, Napoleon is too much man of modern
ideas and too keenly alive to the folles Of his
uncle to allow war to form part Of his pro-
gramme. War will only be resorted to when
the honor Of France and the prestige Of the
Emperor render it absolutely necessary.
II is impossible, however, even while credit
ing Napoleon with the best and noblest inten-
tons, to refuse 10 admit that the European
situation is critical in the extreme. There are
little difficulties in Italy, in the Ibe ran penn-
sula, on the German frontier, on the shores Of
the Baltic, IN the Christian provinces of Turkey,
any one Of which may at any moment
assume such proportions as to prccipitale
war on the Continent. But every one Of these
difficulties is even now loudly demanding solu-
ton. II Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Prussia,
Russia, gratefully accept the Emperor's advice
and follow il, all things will 20 on well and
peacefully enough. But will the Emperor's
advice be so taken, The presumption is that
Il viii not French dlctation has for the last
fifteen years been carried so far that il has
quite undone itself The nations no longer
tremble at the nod OF the Jupiter Of the TUT
leries So long ~ France VAS surrounded on
all sides by numberless petty governments her
immediate neighbors had no choice but 10 obey
Now. however, that Italy has become unit
on the one hand and Germany unit on the
other--now, in fact, that the immediate neigh
bors OF France have entirely changed their
character and have grown in strength as they
have diminished in number--the voice OF France
by the new army arrangements will be able
TO present q more formidable front TO the ma.
lions; but il is by no means certain that the
force she has acquired from within will be
sufficient compensation for the losses she has
sustained wiihoul. That French dlotation will
shat French dictation will be accepted aud fol-
lowed 10 Less likely than ever. II il this
which makes war . probability in the early
future.
We do not feel that We would be justified in
making much Of either the Italian or Iberian
question. They do not necessarily. involve q
European struggle, nor do they necessarily tie
UP the hands Of Napoleon. l, i In We power
o. me Emperor so to arrange matters in both
penpsulas Al 10 convert both Into sources Of
powerful material help. The real dificulties
are to be sough. 90 the Rhine and on the
Danube. The tendency of the South German
Confederation i 70 draw the bonds OF alliance
closer with 10 sister IN the North. A closer
alliance Than that which now exists
France will be certain 10 oppose. II is our
opinion. however. that If the life OF Count Bis
marck is spared the complete uuincaton OF all
the German provinces will be 30 quietly and
steadily effected that cause Of war Il will be
impossible to nnd. Nothing but . fearful
blunder on the one side or on the other will
furnish the occasion for war between France
and Prussia We cannot speak in the same
terms Of the war cloud which 10 already loom
ing up porssntously In the East Russia has
NOT forgotten the Crimcsn war; NOR has
she in the least sbaH0snsd her smbi.
tons designs upon Constananopls. The
state Of feeling which nov sxista amon~