The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-08-13
THE PACIFIC
a0berttser,
AUGUST ID.
The European War.

Even the steamer ls too slow 10 satisfy the
eager anxiety among the public to learn more OF
the war between France and Prussia. In the
absence of authentic news, regarding the present
state of things, we insert comments of the press,
and facts about the relative strength of the various
nations which may become involved In the war.
The population of Prussia. says the -4Ifa, is H.
1898, and the German Zollverein So ,5f2,4 67.
The Austrian population is 35,Ol0, 9SS, of which
13,3S2;l89 are Germans France has 10000, 900 !;
Russia, &c ,OO0,OOO Italy, q ,728,529 /; Spain, 49,
464 $40. OF the immediate combatants, therefore,
SO, 452, 467 are on the side Of Prussia, against 49,
DOC, 600 French. In a prolonged war, Austria would
watch Prussia and Spain, but Spain is no power.
The weight of numbers is therefore on the side of
France. What will be the results no man can foresee,
not even the great players who put the game in
motion. The immediate effects are patent to all
PARTICIPATION Of enterprise, and a general desire to
realize values and accumulate ready money to make
face to maturing obligations, and to take advantage
of events as they occur. The first changes which
meet the eye are a fall in French rentes from "A to
65 in consols from 90 to 8S in United States bonds
from 1909 to 94d other values in proportion, with q
rise in exchange, and a current Of specie setting
towards the great financial centres.
Regarding the position of England, the Bulletin
says:
Europe is on the eve of witnessing a fearful and
sanguinary struggle, and the loss of life and the
destruction of commerce and property that will have
to be chronicled during the next few months it is
impossible to guess at. To-day (July 16th) the first
blow will in all probability be struck at some point
on the Prussian frontier, between Luxembourg and
Sarguinieres. Several Prussian and French vessels
are cruising in the Mediterranean, and it is quite
likely that a naval skirmish may open the campaign
to-day in those waters. When the work of block
aiding the strongly fortified ports of Wilhelmshafen
Kiel, Sundevitt, Dantzic and Alison is commenced
by the powerful squadrons of France that sailed
yesterday, we shall look for some interesting parallels
to the familiar history of Sumter and Fortress
Monroe.
England has occupied the noble position of a peace
advocate in the complications that have led to the
rupture between France and Prussia and there is
no question that she will try to keep out of the war.
An English Princess, the eldest daughter and name
sake of Victoria, is married to the heir apparent of
the Prussian throne, and the royal family is init
mately allied to several other of the German rulers.
English opinion condemns the war an unjustifable,
and regards Napoleon as the aggressor. = = . =
Then the general sense of the English on the subject
of war has been much elevated within a few years.
They would be prompt enough to resent a fancied
wrong or affront, but they have no sympathy with
offensive wars, projected by ambitious ministers or
kings. They do sympathize keenly with the German
aspiration for unity, which is In alliance with the
demand for enlarged liberty.
Should England become involved in the war, says
the Bulletin, the amount of commerce within our
will be immense. If the war is not speedily
brought to a conclusion, or if it involves more than
France and Prussia, it will be almost certain that
Great Britain will eventually become one of the par
NNS' @AN AaSN AAAbOA POI AL pam Will 10 Ids l
IN event which is probable. Prussia will then desire
the aid Of Russia, and can offer in return only q
support to Russian designs on Turkey. This will
bring England to the front. Or Austria may bar
gain with France for reconstruction in Italy as well
in Germany and in that case Italy will see its
way to gain Rome as its capital. Possibly there may
De an understanding between France and Russia to
hare the trade of the Orient through Turkey and
and this combination will be still more dis
asteful to England, while it will bring an over
pressure upon Germany, reviving the
,erls against which Frederick the Great and Great
Britain fought together in 1868. In any event,
England can scarcely keep out of the war if it is
prolonged, and our opportunity to regain our lost !
ommerce and practically. offset the Alabama claims
one not to be neglected. \
Regarding the relative strength of France and
russia, we have the following figures: G
The Grand Army of France numbered, according 4
D the spring returns of 1869, 252, 652 infantry, or
"a regiments ; &c regiments of cavalry, numbering
2,79o men and 20 batteries of artillery, number S
lg 39,002 men i6,646 horses and 1862 guns. i
Ter whole available forces, according to the same :;
were: Infantry, $4,000 cavalry, 100,- ;
artillery, $4,000 engineers, 15,O00-total, u
&c, 5000. OF these about $4,000 were stationed in O
lgerla, but of those the majority have been recalled. S
8 to the French navy, its immense strength is well .
noWn. 1t numbers at present so iron-clads of the e
ost improved pattern and heaviest metal, carrying y
yer 5O0 guns. Nearly 240 wooden and iron vessels, y
her frigates and steamers, carrying nearly u
'OOO guns 20 paddle-steamers with 200 guns and +
vi, "HO I've edliLhS NSsSeiS Will aDOuC ~ VI
ans Total. $50 vessels, carrying 1850 guns. "
Respecting the Prussian army and its fighting
opacity, Sadowa is not yet forgotten, and, indeed,
lie remembrance, in certain quarters, of that field o
nd its consequences may yet prove rather inimical n
her. The Prussians are a quiet, but yet a military D
eople, and it has often been asserted of Prussia, >,
nee the times of Frederick the Great, that she is a ~
ation of soldiers. Every Prussian is compelled to p
rye three years in the regular army, four years in 9,
Re militia or military reserve, and for a varying r
'obationary period in the Landsturm or home 81
lards Her army at present is said to number f.
$1,000, including a reserve of about 5 1000. Her a
fantry numbers 10000 and her artillery 81 200. -
his fighting force was hitherto divided into twelve -
and corps, but during the past few weeks it has y
'ubtless been completely reorganized. The Prus- r.
IN navy numbers ten powerful iron-clads, four of y
hich were to be turned off the stocks during the
esent month. the rest being already prepared for il
rvice, ten frigates, four steam sloops and twenty b,
70 %gunboats. All these are fully manned and carry ?,
lns of the heaviest calibre.
VOTES OF THE WEEK. )"