The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-25
TIE FEELING IN THIS COUNTRY.

Senator Summers Views on the Wnr-A Sh Ort
Struggle Predicted by tho Late NJ. Provost.
Pnrndol-A College "Reminiscences Of Bis-
marck-The Prussii,n Premier and Minister
Motley n Lark.
WASHINGTON, July "a, 1870.
The views of a man like Senator Sumner who Is
| thoroughly versed in European politics and dpo-
macy, upon the impending conflict between Prussia
and France not without interest at this time.
Your correspondent called upon the Senator today
and In the course OF conversation with him elcited
the following points:-He thinks the war Will be
short one ana that few battles Will decide the con-
quest. One week ago yesterday. after the late M.
PrevOstParadOl had been presented TO the President
he called upon Senator Sumner and had an inter-
view Of an hour with him. He presented large
number OF letters OF introduction to Mr.. Sumner
from distinguished Frenchmen During the interview
Mr.. Sumner inquired how long the war would con
tinue between France ard Prussia. To this NJ. Pre-
vost- Paradol replied that there would be but one or
two battles, not more than two. He could not tel
which would be victorious, but the history Of ciefn
warfare in Europe showed that there was 20 longer
the o!dfashlobed mode Of making war that prevailed
in the days Of the first Napoleon.
Senator sumner comedies with NJ. Paradol in this
opinion lie says L Is different in Europe to what 1t
Is in our country Take, for instance, Grants cam
paign in the Wilderness In Virginia. The country
was new to him, and he had to feel his way from
day to day. He has no doubt that every inch OF
ground on both sides Of the Rhine is familiar TO
the leaders OF the French and Prussian armies as
the playground OF their boyhood. They had maps
Of every part OF the country. showing every stream
and every clump Of trees Mr.. Sumner thinks that
at the first outset the available power OF the con-
tending forces Will be massed against each OTHER,
AMI that the battle viii be decisive. OF the result
he has no idea, but he thinks there never were two
men more equally matched In point or diplomacy
and State craft than Napoleon and Bismarck. The
latter he regards as the real head of the Prssian
government and as the power behind the throne
greater than the throne ITSELF
Speaking Of Bismarck, Mr.. Sumner said 1t
was curious fact hoy intimate Bismarck was
with Mr.. Motley. they were educated together ut
the college at 00ttngen, and had been companions
picked up in the streets II night and locked up by
the guard. When Bismarck went to Vienna, alter
the war with Austria, his own Minister the frat
thing he did was to seek MIR. Motley and dine with
him Informally. At the time this created no little
uneasiness In the diplomatic circles or Europe IL
was generally regarded as an indication OF some
alliance between the United states and Prns ia, but
| II was nothing more than u renewal OF OLD Trend
ship between schoomates. Owing tothe probable
short period during which the war would continue
MIR. Sumner has no idea that England Will be drawn
into IT, or, indeed, any other European Power uut
France and Prussia. Some OF the smaller Powers,
ike Denmark may possibly become involved, out
/ Russia England, and even Austria VIII probably
keep clear. If Napoleon Is worsfed, MI. sumner
thinks 1t will end his dynasty and that MS iainily
VIII become luRitiveS IN Europe lust a. NC hilAesi