New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-18
THE EUROPEAN PROSPECT.

The declaration of Napoleon that he fights
not against Germany, but against Prussia,
has had no effect upon the German popula-
tons it was intended to deceive While he
has been stimulating by articles the tagging
enthusiasm of the French people, all Germany
seems with one accord to have rushed to
arms. The jealousies, the political animosi-
ties, the restless dissatisfaction Of an over
burdened populace which have threatened of
late the existence of the German Confedera-
ton, are all forgotten, and North and
South unite in common zeal for the
defense of the Fatberland and the
beloved Rhine. If Prussia is able to with
stand the French attack she will Become, by
this fusion of hostile elements in tie fires OF
warlike ardor, far stronger and more homo
geneOus powsr than she has ever been before,
and the only remaining obstacles TO the con-
sOlidatiOn of 5he German nation VIII be IN n
fair way of removal. The States of South
Germany, whose armies in time'of war are by
the treaties of 1866 subject to Prussias COM
mand, have enthusiastically Joined with the
States of the North. The troops of
Baden, under PTussian officers, are manning
the Prussian fortresses. Bavaria has
placed her 5O,Oee regular troops IN the field,
and called out her reserves, which will num-
her perhaps 10000 more We mag expect soOn
to hear that w Nuremberg, with her little army
of $1,000 has also join ed the Prussian stand
ard 1hen the whole vast military force OF
the German States will BIZ face to face with
the grand armies of France, AMI the conflict
which will follow is likely to he the most stu
pendous of our times.
The movements Of the, main armies are not
vet indicated. The rUnors of Prussian in
vasion Ia the lfrec tor of Metz rest apparently
upon mere popular suspicion, and the demonstra-
ton reported ait 81 .erck, q little town on the Mo-
selle close to thu, Prussian boundary, if il took
place at all, see ms to have been insignificant.
Metz is the mos important strategic point in the
northeastern part of France, place Of great
strength, and the center of many important
roads. Situs ted on the MOselle, about thirty
miles from the Prussian frontier, it is the
principal idvanced post of France, on line
which Offt rs many natural advantages for an
invasion of either France or Prussia. The
Mosele, indeed, is the obvious route either
for a G erman army moving upon Paris, or d
French force operating against Rhenish Prus-
STA. Both nations have fortified 1t elabOrately-
| France in its upper course, Prussia from
!
the Rhine. 1t is upon this course that Napo-
leon apparently designs TO raOve. His army Is
concentrating at Metz, and in day or two at fur
thest will probably have crossed into German ter
Iitory. Except the partially dismantled fortress
of Luxembourg, there is no important town OF
the border from which he can look for serious
opposition, and if the Prussians give him bat
tie before he reaches Mayenoe or Mannheim, i
must be in the open field.
On the Rhine itself there are rumOrs of Othe
movements. The Prussians are supposed TO b
collecting a force at Rastadt, below Strasburg
and the Paris dispatches speak also of appre
tensions of a Prussian invasion by way o
Kehl. As Kehl, however, is directly oppost
the famous Notifications of Strasburg, we ma
dismiss this report without further comment
E The story that a French fOtilla has entere
the Rhine, we suppose may also be dismissed a
: one of tue fctions in which Paris is always S
{ rrolitc during seasons Of excitement. Such
, r,o.,aerf of course would be violation O
, ti. ,o.tr,lity of Holland, and probably lea