The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-08-13
Dailp ARGUS.
OFFICIAL CITY g. COUNTY PAPER
THE EUROPEAN WAR.

However little We know concerning tn,
strength, position, movements, and success
of the contending armies from the numeroul
and contradictory dispatches, one thing We
are quite certain of-that two powerful
nations are in a desperate struggle which Is
fast going into history, and will exert
great influence upon the world for genera
tions to come. Whatever may be the degree
and kind of sympathy in this country, the
facts in the case and the results which must
necessarily follow. the armed opposition
of two mighty nations, demands of every
lover of his liberty that he look at the mat
ter as it stands and draw his conclusions in
sccordsnces with those principles upon
which must rest national and individual
freedom.
1t is quite generally believed that long
ago Napoleon msditated this war; that he
with Prim ounningly devised the scheme BY
which the Hohenzollern dynasty became
involved in the affairs of Spain and thus
furnished the pretexs for the war movement
1t is possible that this may be true but we
Hpprehend that We have not as yet indispu-
table premises upon which to base such a
conclusion.
From the diplomatic correspondence Of
Lord Lyons, English am bassador to Paris
We learn that the Spanish intrigue began
while the movements of the Prussian troops
op the Rhine frontier was subsidiug, and all
was quiet. But from Lord Lotus we learn
that his interview with Bismark disclosed
the fact, that there pas no inteution to
pledge Napoleon that Prussia would forbid
Prince Hohenzollern from renewing his
efforts toward the throne of Spain; but that,
if France submitted, Prussia would still
hush the quarrel.
These are the ideas of officers in Berlin
and Paris, where they have better oppor.u-
nifty for discovering the true stu alton than
many here who base their conclusions upon
distracted sslegrsms. Upon whichever side
the weight OF the responsibility rests, we trust
that the contest which is imminent will de.
eide the matter for justice and humanity.
The French have been defeated in two
important battles, and q complete route of
their army has only been prevented by their
gallant artillery. Except the little affair at
Saarbrucken, the German armies have met
with encouraging success. The next battle
will probably be fought near Nancy, which
is not so strong as Metz, and is on q more
direct line to Paris. This plan will call
away some $4,000 French from Metz and
S.rssburg, when the Prussians will advance
in a solid body into France against which
Napoleon may be powsrless. The two
armies will number about $4,000 men
each, and a defeat on either side
Will be followed by the most serious conse-
quences.
Our latest dispatches at four O'Clock
this afternoon indicate general
movement forward of the Prussisn army
and q demorslized position of the French
liue. They indicate that the situation at
Metz is unchanged, and further that two
French fortresses in the Vosges mountains
havs been taken, and that in order to hold
their position the French lines have doubled
back upon Nancy, leaving the route to
Paris exposed, and that the Crown
Prince is advancing. This may be
to draw the Prussisns between the
French lines, where will be fought the grand
decisive battle of the war. The world will
wal. the result of these movements that are
even now taking place. By tomorrow,
something more definite will, in all proba.
hilIty be known