The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-07-21
European War.


| The demand of the French emperor
from Prussia was the withdrawal of the
candidature of the Hohenzollcrn prince
for the Spanish throne, and gurantet
that no similar attempt should be made
in the future; and the entire fullflment
of the treaty of Prague, involving the
liberty of South Germany; the evacua
ton of Mayencc; the remuneration Of
military influence beyond the Main, and
the settlement of the Schlcswig- Holstein
question with Denmark. The first Of
these demands was part TALLY complied
with, but in q manner unsatisfactory TO
the dignity of France, the Withdrawal
of Leopold being entirely voluntary
Prussia maintaining that she was in no
manner answerablc for the caudidaturc.
The withdrawal Of Leopold, however, for
a time allayad the excitement, report
of an amicablc settlement of the qucs-
ton at issue Immediately following the
action. In the meantime, military pre-
paratiOns for a conflict were commenced
by France, and which have not for a
moment been intermitted. To those
we'll Informed this betokened war, and
all hopes of peaceful issue were soon
dispclled. Prussia showed no DISPOSE
ton to pocket the insult she fancicd she
had received, and Napoleon showing
determination to push his demand, if
necessary, to the arbitrament of arms.
under the plausible pretext that it was
necessary to the preservation of the bal
ance of power in Europe. During the
alternating hopes, the excitement, not
only in France, but throughout the civ
ilizcd world, was intense, the fluctuations
in all the leading financial markets pro-
wing reliable barometer Of waning
chances for peaceful solutions of the
complications. Althoughit had become
apparent that war was inevitable mat
ters were precipitatcd by the dismissal,
after the refusal of an interview By King
William of Benedict, the French Min
lister, from the Prussian Court
The situation remained essentially
unchanged until Friday, when the
French corps legislatif formally declared
war, based on the following causes -
First, The insult offered at Ems to
Count Benedict and its approval by the
Prussian Government. Second, The
refusal of the King of Prussia to COM
pei the withdrawal of Prince Leopold's
name as a candidate for the Spanish
throne. Third, The fact that the King
persisted in giving the prince liberty to
accept the crown. The declaration con
tinucs: "The extra constitutional
changes in Prussia awaken slumbcring
recollections of 1914 Let us cross the
Rhine and avense the insults of Prus-
STA" The declaration OF war, which
was ratified by the senate, and which
was at once followed by legislation vo-
ting unlimited supplies Tor the prosccu-
ton of the war, created the widest ex-
citcment throughout the empire. France
rallying to the support Of the emperor.
Troops were at once hurried forward to
the frontier, and at the present writing,
France has nearly 10000 well-armed
men in the valley Of the Rhine. The
naval operations have also been on
commensurate scale large fotiIla of gun
boats being ready for action on TIE
Rhine, and an immediate bombardment
Of the Prussian ports on the Baltic be-
ing contemplated.
In the meantime Prussia has net been
idle, and her preparations have been
pushed forward with o yigor equal to
that of France, her troops being sent to
the French frontier, and an actual in
vasion of French territory being we'll
authenticated However, she has not
as yet an equal number Of men with
France in the field, the troops Of the
latter being in greater readiness for
movement. The sentiment, too, in
Prussia, and the German feeling
throughout the world, is a unit in sup
port Of King William. South Germany,
the in dependence of which is included
in Napoleon's ultimatum, is unanimous
in its support of Prussia. So far, there
is no authenticated report OF actual hos
tilties.
Italy is friendly to France, and has
written letter to the emperor
Spain will be friendly. Prim has
written letter to Napoleon.
Rome, the key of the Mediterranean,
IS under French control.
Sweden will remain neutral
Holland declines the offer made by
Prussia of an army to defend her from
tier.
The French army will be commanded
by the emperor in person. The crown
prince of Prussia, also takes the field.