Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-23
II. wHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.
THE EUROPEAN WAR.
Newspaper Comments and Specu
lations.
How the Contest will Affect thu
United States.
The Prospects of General War.


From the New York Tribune.l
The absorbing question for the mo-
ment in Europe is the attitude of the
neutral powers. 1t seems now to be a
question of only few days, perhaps a
few hours, whether the present struggle
shall be simply a trial of strength be-
tween France and Prussia or great
continental war in which all the powers
of Europe are to be more or less in
volved. England, though not the most
important of the parties to this difficulty,
is the one toward which just now atten-
ton seems to be principally directed.
Any interference by France with the
neutrality of Belgium will involve the
immediate Intervention Of Britain as an
active ally of the Prussians; for not
only is she bound by treaty to defend
the inviolability of Belgiansterritory but
she has every reason to dread the expan-
sion of France toward the North Sea,
whence in time of war the French cruis-
ers might look down upon the best part
of England's commercial marine, and
command her entire trade with the con
tinent. The sympathies of Great Britain
are consequently strongly with Prussia
and, in spite of the Englishman thrifty
prediction for peace, it is possible that
an alliance with King William would
even now be received in London with
enthusiasm. The comments of the Lon
don press have irritated the French be-
yond expression; and, as an excited and
irritated Frenchman is by no means the
most reasonable of beings, we need not
be surprised TO hear cries of vengeance
against perfdious Albion. and vague
threats, such as reach us in the dis
patches, of possible trespass upon Bel
gian soil. We do not believe, however,
that the peace between France and Eng
land is as yet seriously endangered,
France is not anxious to precipitate a
general wal, which would almost certainly
follow if the British entered the contest,
and moreover will pause long before she
destroys her present naval superiority
by calling out the superb fleet OF the
only power which she has reason 10 fear
on the sea. England, on the other hand,
by remaining neutral in the impending
conflict, will reap enormous pecunlary
profit as the commercial agent OF all the
unfortunate belligerents. t
Russia, if she takes part at all in the
war, will side with Prussia; but at pres
ent she seems disposed to husband her
resources and patiently await her oppor-
tunity in the East. As long as she re-
mains quiet, Austria promises to pre-
serve n neutral attitude, which seems to
be decidedly her best policy. Italy is
uncertain. Holland and Sweden and
Norway profess neutrality, and may per-
haps be able 20 keep their professions.
The evident leaning of Spain towards
Napoleon indicates that this whole
fictitious grievance, the
declaration of war on false pretenses-
had been arranged beforehand between
the Emperor and General Prim. 1t
seems to have escaped the recollection
of most persons on this side of the ocean
that as long ago a. last April the project
Of elevating a Prince Of the House of |
Hohenzollern to the Spanish throne was
if not actually entertained,
aud the Emperor was said to have de-
clared az THAI lime TO Senior Olozaga
that the probable result NJ sgpn 9 choice
would be war between France and Brns-
ia. 1t canno- be supposed, therefore,
hat Prim was ignorant Of Sepoieons $
feeling on the subject; and that immedi-
atelF efter giving the Emperor this COW
ted propagation ihe Spanish statesman
5 found in close Alliance with the
French, is fact whose significance the
,ub,S:se viii pot be SLOW TO appreciate.