Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-07-22
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

Bowling Green, July IL, 1870.
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THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.
The situation Of matters in Europe is such as
will be regarded with deep interest by every
citizen of this nation. The nations now involved
in war, France and Prussia, hold a command
ing position on that continent, and the success Of
either nation will have powerful effect on the
people and nationalities of that portion Of the
Globe.
Should France triumph, her Emperor, as "the
man Of destiny" will but accomplish that which
his uncle, the first Napoleon, sought to attain,
that is the subordination Of every nation to his
absolute authority aud from his tendencies in
the past, we may naturally expect restriction
of the freedom Of the press and also Of the civil
and religious privileges which are now dawning
en- the down troiden nationalties Of Europe.
Should Prussia prevail in the contest il will
consolidate the German element of Europe under
one strong government which viii overshadow
all neighboring monarchical powers. but the
freedom Of liberal ideas will not be restricted by
IL. UHder the enlightened influence of its CON
trolling power. Germany the cradle OF litera-
ture, aud Of art, and of freedom of conscience in
matters Of religion. and of scence-will, by its
very position and influence, become the grand
center or nursery in which to develnpe and ma
tnre these preci us buds of social, civil, religious
and Of national life. Viewing the past relations
of the belgerents frum such stand point, our
aympathies are with Prussia.
War In any case otlicr than for human free
l.. l.
misery and but little good. But when waged
frum mere wantonness, and merely 10 crafty
personal ambition and national vanity, the ag-
creesor illustrates in the national character the
condition Of theltiger ready with its bIoodihirsty
SsnRs 10 spring op any victim. Such is the po-
sition now occupied by the French Emperor
He sought "a fasten his fangs on Mexico, and
thereby occupy >position in which to coHsoli-
date his forces, and alta Citing moment sqrng up
ON the throat of this nation in that scheme be
has met seandaious defeat, srid lis chief tool,
the 80 called Emperor MAxIMtLLrAN, t.c$ an un-
timely death.
Ia the late conflict between Prussia and Aus
tria. which ended with the sanguinary conflict Of
Sadowa, he but anticipated the exhaustion of
each nation and was ready at the fitting moment
to spring npon Prussia, and in the moment OF
her weakness obtain conces sion Of territory on
the Rhine. The amazing successes of Prussia
against Austria again disappointed the beast of
var. and he skunk away to his den dishOnored in
the eyes of Europe and of the French people
Since that period he has been diligently prepar-
in for war; swhethsr just or unjust was to him
bot Of little copsequcnce. Now the period has
arrived and his motive for declaring war arises
from the fact that petty prince of Prussia, LE
oroI.D Of Hsheuzollern, was invited by Spain to
tecome a candidate for the crown Of that nati' n.
NAroLEoS demanded from the king of Prussia |
the exercise of his authority IN prevent LEOPoLD
from accepting the crown Of Spain, and also de-
manded that Prussia shall guarantee that the
Prince shall not al any time hereafter be can
didate. The first demand has been acquiesed
in, Prince LEoroLD has publicly announced his
Htblrawai, but the guarantee demanded con-
eeruing the future was refused by Prussia. For
that reason, on Friday last the French Emperor
issued his declaration Of war war thus
wautpulF wsged from sUch motives can have
bus litt5ssympathy from reasonable and thonght
fnl men, aud it is tn be earnestly hoped thlt the
aggressor may receive such punishment for this
act Of bloodthirsty arrogance as will hereafter
be warning TO all who may follow his example.
The following particulars regarding the bel
ligersnt nations will furnish our readers some
idea of the terrific conflict which may be expect
ed between them. From the relative discipline
and numbers of the armies in array against each
other, and from the vast improvements made in
the weapons Of war, their clash at arms will
be amazingly destructive to human life:
France has 4l4632 soldiers on the peace foot
ing and 647, ,27l in the field, total of nearly
100000. or these, $4,000 are ready to march
al the tap of the drum.
Austria has 27S ,470 men on the peace estab-
lishmenL 633, 700 on a war strength, or 300 900
> fully prepared ~ move. Gould the South Ger
man Confederation, or group of States. be Sc
cured on the same side, they have 6G.5i0 men
an the peace. or l4S, ,406 the war footing, with
10T 900 OF these prepared for instant service
Ssneh a coalition would give France the control
M7T7 900 fighting men at once, with reserve
of ,596 ,l06 trained soldiers.
On the other band Prussia has 1876 600 men
on the peace or ! 1856 900 on the war footing,
with 30a.DO0 now ready for opperation on her
western frontier. North Germany, going with
Prussia, has 3l5,S26 on the peace, 1868 ON the
field or $50 ,32l on the war footing, Of which
546, 900 are Instantly available. This would
p!Aca 9t Prussian disposal SI5 900 men for the
hrst moment, and l,346,32l in reserve. Thus
she Woaid have, instantly, $4,000 men more,
aud hereafter, 23l ,TS5 less than the French al
Iianoe. Should she be able to manage South
arn Germany for her cause she would have
IaOTe at once, or quite enough 10 cope with her
and Austria together, for the time being, with
all the advantages Of a common language and
position. This would leave Prussia still a re-
serrefQf ,72Imen, or only l54 $40 less than
thaEOE France and Austria Goa sced-a differ
Ance swamped to the extent Of nearly 10000
men BY: hsf:superiority ofimmediats force.
Italy, out Of a force of ST6,72 on a war foot
ing with lW,0O0 as a reserve, or 563,72l in
all, eJild spRir possibly 200 0oO men TO operate
0n the French frontier or hold hostile corps in
check. The direct and open participation of
Russia Is hardly TO be expected unless oircum :
stances should force her into the melee. In
that case she conld dspos Of 100000 men from
sb,9t 200 .90S Composing her army in Europe
jnclbdinG the Cossacks She could take M
other course BY family alliance, position and
the recollection of Crimean wounds than t0 aid
Prussia. Sweden and Denmark would, II they
dared 10 move at al, have to go in the same d.
FectinR with about $4,000. Thus Italy, the
cxar and Scandinavia would bring King Will
liam about 100000 men-a force that, with
SOuth Germany aid, would place him 10000
ahead Of France allowing Eng,and, Belgium
Holland aud Switzerland to remain neutral.
TuE FRENCH AND GERMAN GENERALS.
II was telegraphed few days since that Mar
shai Mcmahon would be put in immediate COM
mand Of the army operating on the Rhine, and
that Count Palkao would command the troops
operating against Spain. Marshal McMahon
distinguished himself in the last two great wars
VI fTance-that against Russia and that against
Austria-in the former of which he was 'hero
II the AAlakoA," and in the latter the "hero Of
Magenta" lie is now SO years old, aud is a
HTSnehman by birth, but descended from an an-
Sid0nt Irish family. He was educated at the
military school Of 81. Cyr, and took part In the
Spsnsh war 10 Algeria. For his achievement