The New York herald., 1870-07-21
Tho War Situation In EurOpe-The French
Across the Rhine.

ACROSS Suo l&htne. E..Ns.
Our news columns this morning will be
found to be exceedingly lively. AS yet
there has been no collision between the
belligerents; but the excitement is in-
tense and expectation stands on tiptoe.
There were rumors, indeed, of an action, ru-
mors of march of the French into German
territory. and the seizure by them Of border
custom house, and then again ramors Of their ly Y
return. A great battle was looked for
Earl Granville reports that the neutral
Powers need not attempt to negotiate further
between the contending Powers until after an
engagement has been had Lord Granville's 9
opinion in this direction is sustained by our
special cable telegram advices, published
elsewhere, which present an important and
exclusive exhibit Of the numerical force
commanded and points Of concentration
of the French army. The reader will at once
perceive how powerful force Napoleon
has, even now, under his control. The ex-
perience, valor and devotion Of its COM
manders are of worldwide reputation.
Can such an army be organized and
dispersed with fight Scarcely, with safety,
in France These French soldiers, as 1t ap-
pears to US, can strike the Rhine like three
great war bolts unless the Prussians are ex-
ceedingly watchful and very active.
The Emperor Napoleon hastens his prepa-
rations to 60 to the front. The Empress Eu-
genie comes to the foreground in variety
of ways. She is spoken Of as the cause of
the war, in most absurd manner Prince
Leopold would not marry her cousin; there
fore the present rumpus. Absurd! She re-
joices that her son, the Prince Imperial,
will see his first campaign with his father.
Very pretty and popular! The French have
crossed the Rhine and, apparently without
resistance, taken possession of Saarbrick.
In Germany the excitement is something
almost unparalleled The North German Par
Lament has met and King William has de-
livered great, but cautious speech. He has
talked no nonsense, but he has talked to the
point. The result was most satisfactory-a
guaranteed loan of one hundred and twenty
million thalers. The Saxon Chambers have
been even greater than in Berlin. One Ger
man despatch has it that Germany will
insist on the dethronement of Napoleon and
the abnegation Of the rights of his dynasty.
In Great Britain the feeling seems to be
most intense. Admiral Milne has been re-
called from the Mediterranean to take charge
Of the Channel feet Monster meetings are
being held In Ireland, and the Celt of the
Green Isle goes in stoutly for his brother in
France. Meetings are to be held all over the
three Kingdoms, and the presumption is that
the Celt and the Saxon will come to blows in
Great Britain before the first battle is fought
on the Rhine. In this city, and we believe in
most Of the large cities Of the Union, it is
getting to be dangerous to speak out ones
sentiments. A word said in favor of either
belligerent makes immediate and numerous
enemies. Public sentiment is divided it
seems to be divided all the world over on this
particular question, and the opposite sides are
about equally bitter in their denunciations of
each other Somehow the question as between
France and Prussia has divided the civilized
world. The nations look on in an agony of
expectation. If no fight takes place the dis
appointment will be extreme.
To many it does seem as if after all war
might be averted. 1t is not denied that there
are many reasons why France and Prussia
should come to blows. Prussia goes stea-
dily on year after year increasing her
strength, disregarding treaty obligations,
treating her weaker neighbors with contempt,
spurning advice, no matter from what quarter
it comes, and otherwise acting the part of
bully. 1t is curious fact, however, that
France alone, Of all the great Powers, takes
offence at this conduct. But France really is
both jealous and wrathful. France sees, and
sees clearly, that every onward step made
by Prussia is step towards her humilia-
tion. A united Germany to the north of her
united Germany controlled by Prussian
statesmen-w leave France in the condi-
ton of second rate Power. It is hard for
France to look on and be Indifferent while her
enemy gains strength. 1t is all the more hard
that France now thinks she is in position to
undo the great work of SadOwa-a work so
glorious for Germany and so humiliating to
France No one can blame Prussia for striv-
ing by all lawful means to make Germany
unit. No one can blame France for striving
by all lawful means to maintain her proud
place among the nations of Europe and of the
world. 1t is possible that Prussia is too grasp
ing; but it is also possible that France is too
sensitive. Arrogance has been applied to Prus-
sia; impertinence has been applied to France.
The terms are perhaps too strong. But it is
not to be denied that whatever be the faults
of Prussia, France has not acted wisely in
making this paltry Hohenzollern business the
cause of war. Until we have proof to the
contrary we have perfect right to suppose
that the Pruasiap gQYerpment. in 40 far as