The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-25
The War In Europe-Eirst Blood Drawn
mt Last.

London informs US that on Saturday a number
oil Prussian troops crossed the French frontier
and moved by st. Avoid and towards Metz
Encountering the French outposts skirmish
ensued, In which Prussia lost two men ana
France ten or twelve. The Prussians, having
made their reconnaissance and probably ac-
complished their purpose, returned within
their own lines. This is Prussian account
When the French account reaches us 1t may
be something very different. 1t Is most i'm
portant despatch, showing, as 1t does, that
first blood has been drawn at last, and that
now there Is not the slightest reason TO nope
that war may be averted. The same despatch
has it that Prussia is fortifying Coblentz as
base Of operations, and that 1t IL intended to
move in force along the line Of the Saar and
carry offensive war into France. This must
be regarded as a mere rumor, for 1t is but
little likely that Prussia will make public the
plan according to which she means to carry
on the war; It is fair, however, we think, to
conclude that the first great battle will be
fought close upon the frontier. France re-
turned the attention and invaded the soil OF
Germany with a small party Of troops. There
was skirmishing again, after which the French
retired.
France was wild with excitement from
one end of the land to the other. The
Emperor's address to the people, which we
published In the HERALD of yesterday, was the
great topic of conversation. Our readers are
already familiar with the address. They have
no doubt come to their own conclusions
regarding it. There are those who praise and
there are those who blame 1t but whatever
may be thought of its merits generally, 1t is not
to be denied that, considering its purpose and
as addressed to the French people, it is mas
terpiece. 1t is skilfully conceived and ably
expressed. It goes home to every French
mans heart. 1t makes Frenchmen of all ranks
and classes and parties think and feel as one
man. II Identifies the empire with the revou-
ton of 1889. 1t recalls the glories of the first
empire. The allusion to the GLORIOUS flag
which has borne over Europe the civilizing
ideas of our great revolution" and the touch
ing allusion which the Emperor makes to his
son cannot but tell and tell powerfully, upon
the susceptible minds of the French people.
We shall no doubt have similar speech from
! King William, and it remains to be seen
whether the German people will listen to the
Emperor and change their purpose or listen to
King William and fight with their brethren in
the common interest of Fatherland. His
Majesty will require to exhibit immense ac-
tivity and great caution. A second special
telegram informs us that it is said Napoleon will
proclaim universal European republic should
| he find monarchical combination against his
| dynasty. If his Majesty of France entertains
such an idea, it may be that the King of Prus-
sia will have to champion the thrones by ''di-
vine right" and that the Bonaparte may lead
the peoples in working 'the revolution to its
! A~ei.'---A~ CONGRATULATIONS
| 1t has been rumored that Hesse has been
intriguing with France. 1t will be remembered
that in 1866 that portion of Hesse which lay
north of the Main was attached to the North
| German Confederation. The dismemberment
| at the time produced among the Hessians of
| all classes large amount of bad feeling to-
| wards Prussia. Hesse, south of the Main, is
still an Independent State, and with Bavaria
and Wirtemberg aud Baden is in military
alliance with Prussia and the Confederation of
the North. 1t is not at all impossible that if
Napoleon could make himself master of any
large portion of South Germany this santi-
| Prussian sentiment among the Hessians might
be of some service to him. 1t is not to be
imagined, however, that Bismarck has not well
considered this danger and provided against
it. According to one of our latest dispatches
the South German troops are to be removed
| to the North, and the trusted soldiers of the
North are to do duty in the South. If this
to confront in every part of the South the
veteran soldiers of Prussia. But, as we have
again and again had occasion to remark, there
is no good reason to doubt that in this war
Germany will be found unit as against
France.
Very considerable interest is given to the
situation by the report that Denmark has de-
cided to join France. 1t is still reasonable to
doubt the truth of the report. Anything that
Denmark can hope to gain by the success of
France she might gain by remaining neutral.
But should France be defeated the hand of
Prussia will fall heavily upon her. Merciful
treatment it will be vain for her then to expect.
1t is known that the British government has
been doing its utmost to keep Denmark out of
the strife. The family alliances of Great Brit
ain with both Denmark and Prussia are such
that it was almost natural to expect that Brit
ISL Influenza would be powerful enough to
secure the neutrality of the little kingdom.
Russia sustains to Denmark and Prussia rela-
tionships not dissimilar to those sustained by
Great Britain. But the Danes have not for
gotten their ancient renown. The memory of
the old sea kings fires their spirits. They