The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-17
IN PRUSSIA.


portunty-Bcisium and LuxcmbOnrg-Erl-
tish Ncutrallty--ssOn'' to the Front-Coast
Defcnces-A Grand Plan, but some Doubts
OF Its Accomp iishment.
~. BERLIN, August /, 1870.
The London Times revelation has OF course, Gre.
ated vast excitement here, ana is looked upon as o
trump card Of Count Bismarck. played out, too, at
the most Opportune moment. You have undoubt.
cdy been Informed by wire OF the contents Of the
offensive and defensive treaties which, even pre-
vious TO the events Of 1886. France has offered to
Prussia, together with 300 900 men aid her against
Austria, provided the Berlin Cabinet would help
France in gaining possession OF Belgium and Lux.
embourg. Some blame will be attached to Prussia
by the other Continental States fer her retcence re-
gardlng this rapacious and underhand conduct 1t
must, indeed, be considered that great portion OF
diplomatic correspondence between tho European
Powers is CONFIDENTIAL nevertheless underhand
dealings OF this description, judged by ordinary
lights. are breaches Of confidence and calculated to
raise the utmost Indignation among those Powers
destined by France to be her dupes.
BIsMARcK's POLICY.
On the suppostion. then, that Bismarck has him.
SELF furnished the draft Of the treaty
It s at least rendered excusable by the shamefaced
mendaciousness OF the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs, in asserting in his despatch OF the twenty
long as year ago, pledges to Benedict that the
Prince Leopold OF HOhenzollern should stand as
o candidate for the Spanish throne. Indeed SO
utterly withou. foundation was this assertion that
the Prussian government felt themselves Obliged to
contradict 1t In the most express manner stating
Onciay and personally, that not single word. either
Officially in conversation, had passed between
the representatives OF the two governments. The
Berlin press even asks why If the French govern.
Of
to strengthen their against Prussia
at the time when Justification was not too later Yet
not word Of 1t was brought forward In the French
Chambers by Ministry appealing for support TO the
sympathies of tue civilized world
ENGLAND's POSITION.
Hopes are expressed here In every direction that
the discovery of this French duplicity will incline
England to q cause more favorable to Prussia than
that Of strict neutrality Percevng how little faith
Is to be placed upon assurances OF the French gov.
ernmen WILL sne not be inclined to insure the in.
tactness Of the Belgium territory by something more
efficient than q State documents A suspicious
observation OF every movement of France is
the least that can be expected Of her. In
the meantime we who know how little a
mere ideal injury will drive England to any
thing than mere verbal expression OF indigna.
ton think less OF the probability OF any further good
than moral support arising to Germany out OF tho
news before US that COAL horses and cartridges are
being furnished In large quantities to the French
government by British merchants. 1t viii be again
the old story Of the independence of private enter
prise eluding the requirements Of national honor.
PUBLIC FEELING
The confidence here In O triumphant result In
creases day by DAY. week ago there was general
impression that the start which the offensive atti-
tude gave the French might secure them in the be-
ginning Oh the campaign some cheap victories But
Ih. start has proved to have been at least equazed
Dy the excellent state OF preparation for such even
| q
but Is now the safety OF Germany. The mobilization
Of troops ys VIVA mas a o w
like clockwork, only disturbed by the understandable
enthusiasm OF that portion OF the population who
nave felt themselves unfortunate that their part
y not more active one. Notwithstanding
| the rigorous and unsparlng nature OF military
from the comparatively small class who are on one
| ground or another exempt has been so great that
as fast as they offered their services with enthu-
siasm ior the cause there is, however, mingled IN
every family sorrow and distress for the members OF
| the household and the assistants In business vino
have been drawn into the ranks.
The concentration Of forces at the theatre OF war
mas proceeded so far that the commanders In chief
are beginning to move their headquarters TO the
front, though, like every other movement which has
taken place. with elaboration, yet no loss Of time.
PREPARATION.
| IL would certainly be mistake to suppose that
ments OF a campaign OF such vast Importance. The
trflng skirnshes OF which we daily have news from
and It's are Are ne natural
|
| TWO eager armies and are Of no furtler conse-'
qIence.
1t seems that each party Is determined to gather
all It's forces before 1t risks heavy bow. Not only
| has France been unable to take advantage OF her
prior knowledge OF the approaching campaign, but
mas received warning TO make the most OF It's own
resources through the failure Of It's anc1patlons OF
| the sympathetic neutrality OF the South German
States and OF the disturbing disaf1ectlon oil some OF
| the members OF the Northern Confederation.
! COAST DEFENCES.
The quiet confidence which prevails rs TO the re-
suits or the operations on the Rhine frontier does not
perhaps extend In the sameuneasure 10 The OeIence
| OF the coast The German navy Is too Inferior to
that OF the French TO attempt more than coastal de-
renee nor Will the Prussan government trust 10 its
navy alone FOR this purpose. Most active prepare.
tons are In progress for the ortciton OF the whole
sea coast by earthworks, batteries. &C., In which
vast numbers OF men ind employment. The guides
| to Observation-Disclosures buoys, &c.-are beng
removed the entrances TO harborS o0Structed, ana
everything prepared for the most eectua resistance
to any attack IRON this side.
| The fond hopes here entertained or some acuon
on the part OF the United States looking toward the
protection OF commerce have been to q great extent
resigned and IL is beginning to be felt that clrcum-
stances do not yet warrant direct interference OH
the part OF America. Prussia 1t is sad, proposed
through Austria that tho principles OF the war OF
1865 should DO Observed viZ:-private property Oh
| tho high seas should be respected and blookades
limited 10 naval ports. This Proposition Is sall to
| have Ueen received by the Emperor Napoleon with
the remark, "BtsDlGrcf Dpg0ie IN cur y01y ia
BURR ana Che comment upon 1t in offclhl circles
| at Paris was, "Ihe German Acct can 10 our com.