The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-11
Tho War Cloud In Enrope- Tho Situation
PerilOus.

| lucy oio ah VI piece. ihoy e"o" W.
clearly and very conclusively that the game IL
now serious. If originally the Offering o
the crown Of Spain to Prince Leo
| pold of Hohenzollern was dodge
to shape events in the interest o
the Prince of the Asturias the dodge has beer
a little too fruitful. II has done more than wai
intended, and 1t has brought forth a grea
deal more fruit than was expected. Two
weeks ago no man dreamed of the early posi-
bility of war in Europe. Now the dogs of wal
are fronting each other and impatient to be lei
loose. If grand fight does not take place
within the next few days many and great ex-
pectations will be blasted
Spain does not say she does not want the
Prince Leopold. Prussia does not say she
discourages his candidature. The various
European Powers do not say that they are
| prepared to interfere in what does not seem to
be anybodys business. All over the feeling
seems to be that France is too sensitive. If
Spain wants the Prince Leopold to be King,
and if Prince Leopold is willing to make
his head uneasy under the most worthless
crown in Europe, Spain and Prince
Leopold ought to be allowed to do as
they please. Such seems to be the European
sentiment. But France is in an agony of ex-
element. Lower and lower the rentes de-
scend. War preparations go on on gigantic
scale. The French army is ready to obey the
signal to cross the Pyienees and to march
across the Rhine. The Emperor remains at
ST. Cloud, but couriers arrive every moment
bearing the latest news Orders have been
given to the commandant of the French feet at
Cherbourg to be ready to take on board some
thirty thousand troops. The French press
cries out more loudly than ever against Prussia,
and demands not only that Prussia discounte-
nance the candidature Of the Prince Leopold,
but that she fulfil the conditions Of the treaty
of Prague. Prince Napoleon, it is added, has
set out for Copenhagen to effect treaty with
Sweden and Denmark. A livelier situation it
is not possible to conceive. Tomorrow this
witness the two most gigantic military Powers
of Europe in deadly coufict.
The situation is one which is more than
ordinarily suggestive. 1t is safe, we think,
to say that most men qualified to judge are Of
the opinion that France has revealed an un-
necessary amount of constituencies. 1t is safe
TO say that Prussia has revealed large
amount Of dignity and indifference. II Is safe
also TO say that most men, aud most nations
too, would just as soon see these two national
- %rxvf ba;r otr ~, clyi 10
many be source Of regret if this fresh op-
portuniiy passes by leaving the two DULLES
shaking their fists at each other. All men
everywhere are convinced that sooner
or later France and Prussia must settle GER
tain outstanding questions by an appeal to the
sword. AS well now as later. Better for
mankind at large that this fight, which is inc
vitable, should come off at once. We know
what the needle gun can do. We are anxious
to know what the Chassepot can do. Until
this fight is over Europe must be oppressed by
the weight of standing armies, and some OF
the most beautiful portions of the Old Cont
nent must remain barren and worthless. This
impending fight over, Europe will enter upon
a new lease of life Should France come off
victorious progress will be checked. Should
Prussia win the gain will be gain not only
to Germany, but to humanity.
At the present moment it is extremely diff
cult to see the end from the beginning. Aus
tria would not be sorry to SEQ Prussia hum
bled. Denmark shares the feeling of Austria.
The King of Saxony and some of his royal
friends would not be sorry to know that they
were once again the equals of their royal
brother at Berlin. The outside European
Powers would perhaps rather see Prussia tri-
umphant But France is armed to the teeth
and full Of fight. Should war break out it is
not easy to say which would win. 1t is
not difficult, however, to perceive that
out of this conflict many strange things will
grow. It will be necessary for the French
troops TO leave Rome. What then viii become
Of the Pope? Ii will not be possible for
France to dictate to Russia. What then will
become of the Sultan? The American officers
now in the service OF the Khedve will not lose
the opportunity Of making Egypt independent
and thus laying the foundations of a new en-
pire on the banks of the Nile Russia might
drag Great Britain into the fray, and so from
the Rhine to the Indus two continents would
blaze. French pride and German love of unity
have created for us fine prospect. We can
look at it with some Indifference. Another great
war might do Europe good 1t will not GER
tainly do us any harm. AT the same time we
shall not be sorry if the explanations of
Prussia put France into better and wiser
frame of mind 1t is useless any longer to
say that France is Europe and that Europe is
the world. To many nations now it is mat
ter of comparative Indifference whether France
is contented or not No one knows so well as
Napoleon that war on the present issue would
be foolish His good sense may yet restrain