The New York herald., 1869-04-12
The War Cloud Over Europe.

The War Cloud Over Europe.
1t is only few days since we called the at
tention of our readers to the probability of an
early and gigantic war on the Continent of
Europe. There were not few who thought
that we wrote with too much confidence and
that our conclusions were not warranted by
facts. Not a day has passed since but news
from the different European centres has justi-
fed our view of the situation. War rumors
tensive scale are everywhere being hurried
forward. These preparations are more par
ticularly noticeable in Prussia and France.
The attention of the French government seems
to be directed chiefly to the equipment of the
army, while Prussia multiples and strengthens
her fortresses. 1t is stated on what seems good
authority, as we mentioned in eur news
columns yesterday, that the French govern
ment has actually asked explanations from the
government of King William regarding the
concentration of troops in Hanover, Frankfort,
and generally on the French frontier. Austria,
we are also told, impressed with the danger
GUS character of a war in which it might be
impossible for her to refuse to take part, has
expressed desire that any difficulty likely to
lead to hostties should first be submitted to
conference of the Powers before it is re-
garded as casns 5eNi. 1t is a circumstance
calculated to excite suspicion that, in
view of the approaching elections, the
Emperor by abolishing the Errets has made
bold bid for the suffrages of the workingmen.
The most important item Of news bearing upon
the general question is that contained in one Of
our latest cable dispatches, to the effect that,
in spite Of the bitterness Of the opposition, the
Senate has approved the so-called defensive
measures of the government The concluding
words of the speech of NJ. de la Valette, ''It
is the policy Of France to maintain resolutely
q digniHed peace" mean that France is now
| ready for war.
| 1t thus becomes more and more apparent
| that, much as conferences have in the last two
years accomplished they have not given
Europe the hope Of a permanent peace. The
London Conference on the Luxembourg ques-
ton and the Paris Conference on the Eastern
question, STAYED off war for the time but they
settled no great question-they removed none
of the great outstanding difficulties. The
Eastern question is as unsettled as ever, al
though in allegiance for the present; and the
| demolition of the fortress OF Luxembourg has
not put an end to the jealousy which has so
long existed between France and Prussia.
The two nations seem less willing to shake
hands than ever. The truth Is conferences
even do but little so long as such enormous
armaments are maintained. II will not be
wonderful, however, il, in the event of any
an attempt is made to preserve peace by
means Of another conference. II is not
for the interest Of Austria that war should
break out between two such powerful
neighbors as Prussia and France. England
has no desire to see the Continent
in flames. Both these Powers, 1t may be
taken for granted, will 90 in for confer ence
and among the lesser Powers they will And
no lack Of support. We have no idea, how.
ever, that Napoleon will be influenced in the
least degree by any such proposal. No confer
ence can bend Prussia to his wishes. No con
ference can give him what he wants W,
know that il was the imperfect condition o.
the French army which prevented Napoleon
from going TO war with Prussia whel
Bismarck, after the battle OF Sadowa
snubbed him SO effectually for asking tn,
Rhine provinces as French compensation fol
Prussian gains. II was the same cause, W
know, which prevented him from attackin
Prussia when Bismarck refused to yield in th
Luxemburg difficulty. But that cause exist
no longer. The two years aud half whicl
have since elapsed have brought up the Frenc
army to high standard Of perfection. Mar
shal Mel has exerted himself 10 the utmost
and Marshal Mel is now satisfied that Franc
need fear no foe. In other words the Empe
ror is ready to try the genius Of Bismarck o
another field than that Of diplomacy. No cor
ference could have prevented him from takin
the field against Austria in 1859. Should an
reasonable pretext be found no conference wi
! prevent him taking the field against Prussi
in 1869. He is ready; France is ready and
: occasion offers he must fight or lose bis throne
Under him France will have no more Mexica
p blunders. no more Sadowa miscalculations, n