The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-02
SPIRIT OF THE PRnss.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
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THE NEUTRAL POWERS.


tense interest. During the progress of the
war this interest was somewhat eclipsed by
the brilliancy of the German victories, but
now it revives with the prospect of speedy
peace. AS each of the bellgerent powers is
very cautious to publish concerning this
point, only such facts and rumors as are
favorable to its own side, the cable dispatches
are naturally more adapted to misguide than
to enlighten public opinion We know, how
ever, enough of the disposition of the great
neutral powers to ascertain, with a high de-
gree of probability, what course they are
likely to pursue. 1t may be regarded as self
evident that the great victories of the Ger
mans are not calculated to create or to
strengthen friendly feelings between Prussia
and the Governments of the other European
powers. Among the peoples the idea of a
settlement of all international feuds, on the
basis of a mutual recognition of the nation
ality principle, may gain ground. The sove-
reigns are still guided by considerations
based on the old views of a balance of power
in Europe. No Government would probably
have seen with satisfaction the extension of
France to the Rhine, though the silence and
even the alliance of Austria and Italy might
have been purchased by the promise of
French aid for the attainment of their own
purposes The other Governments are no
less opposed to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Ger
many, and the more extraordinary the dis
tinction is which the Germans have won
during the present campaign, and by which
they have astonished the world, the greater
is the jealousy at this new modification of the
map of Europe which the other Governments
are likely to feel.
The French Government has obviously
made the strongest appeals to the well-known
Sensibilities of the other powers with regard
to the balance of power in Europe, to secure
their Joint interposition or even intervention
in case Germany should insist on the restora-
tion of Alsace and Lorraine, or impose other
conditions too revolving to the still unbroken
pride Of the nation. The special missions of
Prince Napoleon to Florence, and Prince Mu-
rat to London, have undoubtedly been caused
by these views. OF the results of these mis-
sions we are but imperfectly informed. A
significant declaration is, however, published
by the official organ of the Russian Govern
ment, which denies that It's Government has
committed itself to protest against the dis
memberment of France, though it admits
that it would not favorably regard any
schemes of that kind. The Emperor Alex
ander is known as a decided partisan of
lasting alliance with Prussia; but he finds it
nevertheless necessary to express in advance
q dissatisfaction with the growth of Germany
at the expense of France. The German pro-
vinces of Russia on the Baltic, in which the
feeling of the German nationality has of late
ner, are constant irritation of the Slavi
against the German nation, and check to
any alliance into which the personal feeling of
the present Emperor might lead him to enter.
The heir to the throne is reported to be
violent Panslavist, who, with his party, is
fully convinced that great war is inevitable
between the Germanic and Slavonic nations
for the purpose of consolidating the whole
Slavic race into one empire under the rule of
Russia and his party, the Panslavists, are
parading in their principal organs the most
violent opposition against Prussia Fortu-
nately for the Germans, the enthusiasm of
the Poles for the French strongly counteracts
this movement, for the Poles still hope for a
restoration of their empire, and would Droba-
bly, not hesitate to wheel around into an alli-
ance with Prussia, in case it afforded a better
prospect for the fulfilment of their patriotic
yearnings.
The Government of Italy does not conceal
its wish to be faithful vassal of France in
case the latter power is willing to withdraw
her opposition to its annexation of Rome
but the feeling among the educated and
liberal classes is so strongly in favor of Ger
many, that the Government shrinks from
taking any decisive step. The English
Government studiously conceas any show
of feeling for either side; it only insists
with great earnestness on the neutrality of
Belgium being respected by either bellige-
rent, for England wants to prevent, if
possible, the sea-coast of Belgium from be-
coming German OF French property. AS to
Alsaoe or Lorraine, nothing official has been
expressed; such change Of the frontier
would probably not find much sympathy; but
no one expects that En- gland would ever think
of engaging in a continental war on account
of frontier question. The intentions of the
court of Austria appear to be very warlike.
The heads of the army are burning with the
desire to take revenge on Prussia for the yeal
1866. But they have found this to be impossible
in view of the threatening attitude of the Ger
man population, which demands either abso
lutte neutrality or an alliance against the
hereditary foe of the German nation. Only
few organs of the ultramontane party and
the aristocracy seemed to waver; but now
even these have joined the general opinion
and express hope that the enemy of Ger
many may be thoroughly punished. wal
of Austria against Germany would be suicidal
So strong, indeed, is the current of public
opinion among the Germans of Austria tina
they may be expected to demand soon
long and organic union with the remainde
OF Germany.
We regard it, therefore, as improbable tina
any of the four great neutral powers will be in
duced to take hostile steps against Germany
We may have a conference which will cast it
combined influence into the scale of France
but we believe that none will be willing TO G,
beyond it; and if France wants an advan
tageous peace she will have to conquer it her
self alone.
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