Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-08-06
EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from Orville d. Baker.
DxrspES, SAxoSY. July l7th, 1870.

tits now more than week since l wrote
rapidly than time. War is upon us here
Threatenings hung over Europe for days. A
little inconsiderable prince, who lives some
where in the north part of Germany, and re-
joices in the unpronounceable name Of Ho-
henzollern Sigmaringcn, was selected by Gen.
Prim, Spanish Prime Minister, for the unen-
viable honor Of presiding over the quarrels
of that gusty Spanish nation, and furnishing
a convenient target for the arrows Of all par
ties. Having probably nothing else TO do,
I suppose he thought he could waste his
time as proftabIy so as any other way. He
accepted. The King Of Prussia gave his con-
sent to it as head Of the distinguished family
of Hohenzollern, and France went to work
conjuring up .pectres Of national insults and
innocent Hohenzollerns bestriding, in con-
quest, the continent of Europe, and drinking
high German beer on the re-erected throne Of
Charles the Fifth. Having worked herself up
to the proper pitch, she demanded that Prus-
sia should induce the nascent Charles to fore
90 his visions of anticipated conquests, which
the future victor did indeed do through his
Father, the King. Having thus secured
moments respite from the blows Of this par
ticular and redoubtable lIohenzollern, she in
sisted that Prussia should farther insure her
against all future little Hohenzollerns who
might shoot up from so terrible STEM
Prussia declining to forestall her freedom OF
action for the future, things became animated
Hardly any one, however, believed in the
probability of war. Prussia evidently didn't
want it, had even made concessions to avoid
it. Spain was resolved to have nothing to
do with it. All outside nations protested
against it. In France alone did there seem
to be determination to push matters to an
extremity, and even there the first violence
of feeling seemed TO have subsided, and
calmer Judgment to be asserting itself. Yet
exchanges from Berlin to New York were
shaken, French gold drew a heavy premium
and cloud hung over all Europe. Friday
night, July Is, it broke. and now is scatter
ing war over the world. l was sitting in
garden on the bank of the Elbe when the an
nouncemcnt was made to US. The old city OF
Dresden lay fair and still behind us, its spires
and single statel, dome rising brightly in the
golden cvenin opposite. the early lights OF
the garden by the Hotel de Paris, played and
flashed through II e trees; b,tween us flowed
the broad and shining river, the last splrndurs
of sunset streaming full upon it; from the
di,tance, the sound of n usic ioated down
from the Terrar. and The He!.i.!e.e, an'! c!"se
at hand, stretched the old Bridge. with its
long line of arches each one framing a new bit
of landscape lov eliness. The declaration OF
war by France was not. however, enough TO dis
turb the German enjoyment Of their inevitable
beer, though groups were stirring a I'd knot
ting in the streets, and clearly news of more
than ordinary moment was being discussed
Since then ''Hu,ly -burly" has be' n the Iule.
Rumors are rifer than facts. Yesterday the
French were reported in Baden on this side
the Rhine. To day, it is denied. In Bel
gium, shouts are heard, Long live King
William. Of Prussia! Down with Napoleon"
Denmark has gone with France; Spain, Aus
tria, Italy are yet neutral; how long they
may remain so, no one can tell. The whole
North German Confederation, Of which Sax
ony is a part, is swept in with Prussia. Ba-
varia and the Ducby of Wurtemburg are
bound to the same side by treaties offensive
and defensive. All Germany is stirring. The
Saxon troops are ordered north against the
Danes. From the barracks to the railroad,
sweep constant files of wagons. ammunition
and men. The railroads are already being
seized for government purposes. All are
pushing on to the Rhine where the battle is to
be. France is, at this moment, undoubtedly
best prepared for instant attack, but she
laughs best, who laughs last" To us over
here, the attitude Of Prussia has all along
seemed that of the man who is confident Of
his own strength, and can afford to make
concessions without compromising his dignity.
The attitude of France has exhibited the ir-
ritable jealousy of one who is conscious of
the superiority of his rival, and anxious to
fight if only to convince himself that he is
not afraid to. To-day, Monday July le,
Russia is said to have declared for Prussia.
The war news has caused considerable ami
nation in American travel. The - who
have been here week or more, packed of
yesterday all of sudden for Switzerland.
Another family who were going to Berlin, &C.,
left for the same bour..e. Those who have
Paris Exchanges, could get no money at all
on their letters of credit Saturday. Mine is
on London and so am all right. l shall not
change my plans at all. l shall stay here
and study German, and let them fight it out.
am in German family here, have a
teacher and hear lots of German spoken. A
we,k from to day, leave for Berlin, if the
railroads are not occupied, then Leipsic,
Nurcnburg, Munich, the Tyrol, and then
Paris the best y can. may have to sail
for home in English slips as the French and
German are liable to capture by each other
II. and his friends are here also in n
other Germany family. They were going
to Russia, but will not if she d. clares war.
l have my passport, and do not anticipate