The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-07-22
THE WAR IN EUROPE.

We give the following statements in re-
gard to the numbers engaged, &C., in the
pending war in Europe, from estimates in
the daily press, as of interest to our readers
Taking into consideration the large forces
of the belligerents and the comparatively
limited territory which is marked out as the
theatre of action, the conflict in human pro-
liability will be short, sharp and decisive"
The French army on peace footing, accor-
ding to these estimates, numbers 404 1872 in
all arms of the service, and by calling in
troops on leave, in reserve or otherwise ex-
empt from service in garrison, can be in
creased to a war footing of 757,727. The en-
tire forces supposed to be available in reserve
added to the above, is estimated at a grand
total of 1,349915 soldiers. Major General
LeB@uf is in command.
The French navy consists of GO iron-clads,
164 screw steamers, 81 paddle steamers and
113 sailing vessels, making total of 401 as
her war navy, carrying 3,045 guns
The total strength the army of the North
German Confederation amounts to 319,35S
men on the peace footing, and to or ,262 men
on the war footing In addition to these
forces, treaties of Prussia with Bavaria,
Wurtemburg and Baden provide strict mil
itary alliance and union of their armies in
time of war. The Bavarian standing army
numbers $4,000 men. Their navy has re-
ceiyed special attention and has made rapid
nr0preas althouuh 40 oon,norad with tba
French navy, it is comparatively small in
the number of vessels and guns. The war,
however, will be waged principally on land.
As it seems probable that France will be the
invading force the prospect is that the first
battle will be fought on German soil, and is
likely to occur either near the Saar river, or
on the Moselle. The objective point of the
victorious army would be the capital of the
opposing country. The following table of
distances will be found interesting, in CON
nection with these movements
Paris is 40 miles from Metz and about 500
from Berlin. From Strasbourg to the French
capital is about 225 miles; from Vienna to
Paris, 500; from Vienna to Berlin, 800; from
Berlin to London, 525, and from London TO
L ullS lou InlleS.
The combinations of other European DOW
ers have not yet been fully developed Aus
tria will unite with France, in all probability,
whilst Russia would 60 with Prussia, should
she hereafter take part in the conflict. No
actual collision has as yet occurred, although
the troops of each of the bellgerents are be-
ing rapidly pushed to the front Some of
the professed details ofmovements are doubt
ed, on the score of being manufactured to
further the interests Spectators and others,
owing to their influence on the different mar
kets Trade will of course be greatly affect
ed during the continuance of the troubles, and
already advances in breadstufTs are noted
The field for speculation is again thrown
open, and neutral nations may expect to pro-
tit by the misfortunes of those engaged in the
war. How far our own country is in con-
dition to reap advantages by superior facili-
ties for furnishing supplies, is matter of con-
siderable speculation. In our own State,
Baltimore is likely to suffer at least temper
airy inconvenience by the interruption of her
North German line Disclaimers Private en-
terprise, nevertheless, will probably be slim
ulated to meet the inconvenience, and time
alone can develop to what extent we may
reap advantages from our neighbors' msfor-
tunes