The weekly standard., 1869-09-29
,Auother Rumored Alliance Against

i ~.
i The Atlantic telegraph again brings Us
rumors of a tri-partite alliance against the
United States-or rather quadruplc al
lance since England, France, Austria and
Spain are ali reported to be engaged. The
object of this combination is to secure Cuba
to Spain and to prevent any interference of
the United States with Cuban affairs.
That an unfriendly feeling towards the
United States prevails among certain nations
Z of Europe we are aware, yet we are not dis
posed to give crcdcnce to the statement that
an alliance against America has been en-
tered into by any ofthe nations named. That
American interference is distasteful to France
and England is well known, for both those
nations have long regarded the progress OF
America with a jealous eye, and her Won
derful and unexpected exhibition of strength
in the late war has awakened the fear, dis
trust and jealousy of both France and
England. Other nations, having no interests
which can conflict with American interests,
do not feel the same jealousy as is felt by
France and England. ira
Austria can have no object to induce her
to involve herself in foreign war. Whether
or no Spain keeps Cuba is a matter in which
Austria feels but little concern. Her
thoughts are upon objects nearer home, and
all her movements point toward new Ger
manic combinations She is also aware of
the intentions of Prussia, and would never
engage in war which would weaken her
/ in any contest which might be brought
about by Prussia. For the same reasons
Prussia does not care about entering into
any alliance that might cripple her strength
in the event of a renewal of her still un-
settled feud with Austria. That she should
enter into an alliance with France is most i'm
probable for her interests and purposes are
directly antagonistic to those of France.
France, on her part, is aware of the de-
signs of Prussia, and is secretly alarmed at
her immense and suddenly acquired power.
She feels, that in the event of Franco -Prus-
sian war, French success would be more
than doubtful The egotism of France,
strong as it is, cannot blind her to the fact
that Prussia is fully her match in anything,
and that war with Prussia is nothing i'm
probable In BISMARCK, LOUIS NAPOLEON
has met his equal, and he feels it. That
BISMARCK is hostile to France is well known,
and it is also known that he is by no means
ayerse to French war. Knowing these
things, it is by no means probable that
NAPOLEON would lay France open to sue
cessful attack by Prussia for the bootless
purpose of securing Cuba to Spain. He
may encourage PRM, and may send the
Spaniards fine words, but he will do nothing
more. Fine words are freely given by the
French Emperor, but he never backs them
by acts Therefore, considering all things,
it is highly improbable that France will risk
contending with SO powerful foe as
America is known to be, with an equally
powerful enemy in his rear, especially
where there is no object to be gained.
Nor is England more desirous of an
American war than France and Austria.
The events upon the Continent, and the
war-like attitude of all the nations, have not
escaped her attention, nor been, observed
without disquiet. The English channel is
too narrow to ward off the influences of
Continental troubles, and that which
troubles the Continent must trouble Eng
land. Every great nation upon the Cont
nent is fully prepared for war, and war may
at any moment be declared. 1t is generally
felt in Europe, that a general war must occur
before long. 1t is demanded by the pro-
gress of events, and cannot be escaped. In
such war England could not be neutral.
She has too many outlying interests, which
she would be forced to defend. Therefore
England, at the present time, would not
risk shilling to preserve Cuba to Spain at
the hazard of war with America
Foreign nations are, in fact, unable to do
more than to attend to their own affairs.
They dare not look away from each other
for fear of being struck in the back. For
these reasons we do not credit the reported
alliance against America. We do not doubt
their unfriendliness, but do not believe
them to be able to commence hostilities
against America. #e
We do not wish foreign war, because we
wish to see the debt paid and taxation de-
creased, but we do not wish to see the Uni
ted States intimidated If the government
deems it proper to recognize Cuba, we wish
to see it done without regard to the mena-
ces of any foreign power. Cuba by posi-
tion belongs to the United States and we
have certainly as much right to dictate
concerning it as has either England or
France. If war should result, we believe
that the American people would make any
sacrifice to sustain the honor of the nation.