The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-24
DENMARK AND The BALTIC.

Grand Opening Of n Grent War Drama-The
Present and Scope Of Events w hat is
Likely To Be Accomplished and What May
Ensue-A Glance Along tho Coast Of the
Neutrality-suspicious. in the Baltic-Ths War
Bleets Of France md Prnsaia--Shore
-Schloswig-Comman ds Of the
COPENHAGEN, August 8, 1870.
The mighty drama for which the many cOlOred
curtain OF the future rolled up on the 18th OF July
but OF which we have as yet only witnessed the pro-
lOgue, will consist OF series OF scenes, whereof
many will be enacted at one and the same time in
several different places-0n the banks OF the Rhine
Oh the shores or the North Sea- the coasts of the
Baltic 1t Is from the last named scenes that l. as
your correspondent, am to send you tidings OF the
giant war that is coming on to take SO dominant q
place in the history Of the world.
But before that war absorbs all our attention 1t
may not be untimely to take cursory view OF the
auspices that herald it.
IN THE BALTIC.
The war in the Baltic will assume two,old char
acter, partly naval war, in which the advantages
Will be so superlatlvely on the side Of the French
that there can exist no possibility Of any eHectual
resistance on the part Of Prussia, and partly war
by land In which the chances will be more equal,
In the Baltic Prussia holds the naval ,harbors of
Stettin, Dantzic and Kiel, not to mention Horup-
haven; the first Is adapted only for vessels OF war
OF inferior rate, at best for heavily armed corvettes
and here it is that the North Germanic wooden fleet
has its usual station. The naval docks in Dantzic
are very considerable, and the harbOr, as well as
that OF Stet.ln, Is we'll fortified.
Keller bay may indeed, be regarded as especially
adapted to harbor ships war; 1t is OF great Depth
very spacious. and surrounded with heights that
render Its fertilization easy. Prussia has, however
held possession Of 1t so few years. that it has not
as yet, fully developed all its capabilities. It has
been the chief station OF the North Germanic
fleet; and, indeed, that feet could without 1t never
nave been, at all events, never have been aug
mented by its present ron-clad ships-ofwar. Naval
works OF very considerable extent are partly com.
menced, partly projected; but the fertilization OF
the harbOr is not yet completed, and being entirely
open on the land side, 1t cannot be looked upon as
harbor for vessels Of war.
Towards the sea the harbor is fortified on both
sides OF the firth or arm OF the which is its en-.
trance. This entrance from the Baltic Is clear and
Short yet at point that 1t is entirely
commanded by small fort called Frederksort,
situated on spit of land running out from the
Schleswig shore, and by the works OF Laboc and
Branneberg on the Holstein side. On the last named
point it has been projected TO mount the two mon
ster guns which were exhibited In Paris in 1867 and
which Mr.. Krupp, from whose Justly renowned can
non foundry they issued. subsequently presented to
the King Of Prussia. Up to the very latest
date 1t is, however, certain that those pieces Of
ordnance, whether brought to the spot not, were
not in position. 1t may justly be inferred frem the
above that Kel unprotected as II Is Oh the land side,
would, during war, afford no advantageous station
for the North Germanic feet, and Prussa's newest
narbor, williamshaven in Jnada bay, on the coast
Of the Grand Duchy or Oldenburg, has consequently,
at the very latest date, had the distinction of
boring that lect
Hlther has the Prussan iron-clad squadron on
being recalled from its trip to Madeira by the voice
OF war betaken Itself for security, and hther has
the powerful iron-cad frigate KONG Wilhelm re.
treated 1t is said that only one ship in the French
feet can compete with this last mighty acquisition
to the North Germanic navy, ana that one Is the
ex-American DunderDerg, the present French Ro
chambeau. Besides these Jhada bay now harb0rs the
iron-cad corvettes Crown Prince and Frederick Carl
two ironcad batteries Of which one by the way the
Armtnius. has mad the "nous" to give the French
squadron the slip within Danish soundings, and
several fast sailing gunboats, which have likewise
since the war was proclaimed made their way from
KEEL, round Cape Skagen to Jhada bay, II. indeed,
they have not az it is now reported, kept the In
order to reconnoitre or run into Norwegian har
bors.
1t can hardly be the intention of Prussia with its
ships OF war to give battle to the French feet, and
as have already informed you by telegram. 1t Is
reported by trustworthy. parties that in williams
haven the vessels OF war are already In process OF
being unrigged end their crews drafted on for other