The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-14

The question, " Ia continental European
war imminent at this time ~ is answered by
many on this side of the Atlantic in the
affirmative, and also with an emphasis. We
are not disposed to deny the fact that the
war cloud appears to hang dark and heavy
over the continent at this time, aud the day
may not be distant when ii will burst with
terrible fury, and we shall hear those awful
words, so significantly fearful to the ears Of
the benevolent and peacefully inclined, the
cry of "Havoc, and let slip the dogs Of
war" It Is true that many of the best
Informed men over the water begin to hold
their breath, for they believe that the terri
bic hour comes on apace and that the cx-
plosion Is near at hand.
Let us make hasty glance at the stua-
ton and note some Of the indications which
portend the coming storm. 1t Is evident,
from the tone Of dispatches which come to
us, and from what appears in the columns
of wcll-informcd European journals, that
war rumors fll the air, aud capital and bust
ness are beginning to feel the effects Of the
coming storm and yield 10 the pressure us
the barometer yields to the increasing hu
mildly Of the atmosphere. We cannot dis
guisc the fact that preparations for war upon
the most extensive scale are being pressed
forward with rapidly everywhere that
bodies the near approach of an evil and a
bitter day. In Prussia and in France these
preparations are more marked and ominously
suggestive Of an evil and bloody era than In
any other countries Of the continent.
King Williams Government under the
direction of Bismarck has been Conccntrat-
Ing troops In Hanover and Frankfort, $50
VIC arc informed by the cable tclcErims,) and
everywhere on the frontier Is Prussia multi
plying and strengthening her fortrcsses. 1t
is, moreover, said that the French Govern
ment has asked of the Prussian Government
the reason for this. We are told also that
Austria, believing that these movements
mean war, and feeling that in the event that
a conflict Is prcclpitated she cannot keep out
Of it, has asked that the questions may be
submitted TO conference of the different
Powers.
There is no doubt upon this poat that eI-
lcnslvc preparations are going on, but that
the situation Is Just what the special tele'
grams 20 some of our American journals de
scribe it to be may be taken with wid'
margin Of allowance. good deal of whN
may be alleged to be fact may be dlrcetl
Chargeablc to rumor.
Louis Napoleon is, 1t seems, very desirOu
of Strengthening himself just at this tint
by the SURFACES of the workingmcn; hence
he Is doing what he can In their behalf. IL,
authorizes his ministers and tools to do hi
bidding and they talk peace or war, as ma.
suit his plans and purposes. NJ. dc Ia Va
lettc concluded a speech the other day will
these words at Is the policy of Franc
TO maintain n rcsolutc and dignncl peace.
This may mean war or peace, but it is in
dicative of one thing, and that is that Franc
is ready for war.
Conferences, as all know, hitherto hay
settled nothing they have only postpone
the actual conflict Of arms. What futui
conferences may do we cannot, for ce
tatnty, predict.
Bismarck has up to this tins proved hin
self more than match for Napoleon
diplomacy, and this because the willy FL
pcror of the French was not ready, not pr
pared for war. He is now in a different 81
uatlon, and he may be willing and perhaI
anxious to try the strength of the norther
diplOmatist upon different field. Prussi
will not bend to his purposes, and he cannt
bend 1t by conferences nor by diplomacy
What wonder then should he try the streugt
Of stcell What diplomacy cannot do tn
terrible eugiucry of war may. Louis Nj
pocou would sacrifice much to berd IL
stubborn Prussian to his will, but by lnvokln
the gods of war he may lose his thron
All this hangs in doubt. The war cloud
increasing in blNckncss, and may burst
any hour.