Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-29
From the Waterman and Reflector. ]
The War in Europe.
By REV. L. B. HIBBARD, GRAFTON, VT.

frontier IS but the logical result OF INA
OF 1866 in Northern Austria. Europe ha
been more than once alarmed by the pros
pect of a collision between Prussia ant
France. Indeed, conflict, sooner o.
later, has seemed inevitable and it ha
been only question of time when it would
take place. And European statesmen
are not surprised at the existence of tn,
war; their only apparent establishment il
at Its occurrence just at present, and thu
charges on which the French declaration
of war was based.
While Bismarck and Napoleon lived
thou httul men in Europe and Americ;
have seen that war must come: that GER
tain events which have occurred sine,
Sadowa could not, in the nature of things
have any other termination. Some ever
go so far as to say that this question of &
collision with France entered into Bis
marck's calculations when he pushed mat.
tiers to a crisis with Austria, four years
ago. A clearer view of the present situa-
ton may be secured by brief survey o.
affairs in Prussia and France.
Prussia, prior to 1866, had for long
time been member of the old Germanic
Confederation. As early as 1856, how
ever, Bismarck, who was then Prussian
Ambassador TO the Federal Diet, elaborat-
ed plan for the reconstruction Of the mar
OF continental Europe. While this plan
contemplated additions TO the domain OF
Russia and France, it, most of all, was to
leave Prussia to form a new central gov
eminent, something after the present state
of things. Neither his own nor the French
government favored the project, and it
was apparently forgotten by all save its
bold and sagacious author. Up to the
time of his appointment as ambassador
he had been an abmirer of Austria and
her absolutsm. AT one time he said, 81
recognize IN Austria the representative OF
an ancient German power that has often
and gloriously welded the German sword"
His embassy to Frankfort opened his eyes
to the antagonism between the two powers
and his resolution was taken, viz, that
Prussia should be aggrandized and
Austria Inundated. From that purpose
he has never turned and during his three
years diplomatic career at st. Petersburg,
and a brief one of six months at Paris, he
sought the realization of his scheme.
From Paris, in 1862, he was summoned
to Berlin by his sovereign. since which
time he has been not only at the head OF
Prussia's foreign Office but virtually her
monarch. The four years intervening be-
tween his recall from the Tuileries and
the campaign of 1866 were devoted to
two ends : first, the increase of the Prus
sian army, in numbers and efficiency. In
this he had been already anticipated by
his royal master; second, the fermentation
Of trouble between Prussia and Austria.
To both these ends the Schleswig- Holstein
affair contributed not little; and by his
daring and interruptions conduct Bis
marck saw the realization of his sagacious
plans in Sadowa and its results.
He could not incorporate all the States
of German into Prussia, though Hanover,
Electoral Hesse, Schleswig and Holsten,
Nassau and Frankfort were thus merged
into it. He did, however, secure treaties
for an offensive ard defensive alliance with
the four remaining ones. Whether he
expected to secure them all at that time
we cannot say, though he was determined
to annex Saxony, and yielded onl ~ through
the strong opposition OF Austria aud
France. 1t seems certain that his bold
ambition contemplated nothing less than
the absorption, by Prussia, OF Hesse
Darmstadt Bavaria, Wurtemberg and
Baden. The secret treaties formed by
these powers Immediately after Sadowa
gave great offence to France. Therefore
Bismarck knew full well that any attempt
to incorporate them into the kingdom of
Prussia would bring on conflict with
France. Two courses of conduct were
open to him, both securing in the end the
same result. First, lay violent hands on
the coveted prizes and make them at once
component parts of Prussia. To this plan,
however, there we're three serious Objec
tions. 1t woruld stir up great hostility in
the territory annexed. Also, it would
lend no small amount Of aid to the royal
and noble families of Hanover, Hesse, &c,
already Incorporated into Prussia, largely
against their will Further, it would put
him before Europe in the attitude of an
INSCRIPTIONS aggressOr, a position from
which he would not shrink, but one which
he did not covet if it could be avoided
Second, to arrange affairs in such a man
ner that when the. conflict came France
should be the aggressor. This course
commended itself in view Of two consider
ations. 1t would secure for Prussia anG
her cause the sympathy Of Europe, which
was OF too much Importance to be lightly
thrown away. Moreover, it would secure
the hearty cooperation of the allied States
and crush whatever domestic opposition
existed in Prussia. Events have shown
the wisdom Of this course, for all interna
discords among the Germans are forgotten
in their zeal against frances aggrandlze
ment at the expense of German territor1
on the left bank of the Rhine.
The absorption Of the four allied State
Of Prussia, after successful campaign
with France, Bismarck knew would be
natural and inevitable result. Bismarcl
has waited these four years, because tn
work Of consolidating the new PRUSSIA
Empire was so great and laborious, an
also because undue haste would retar
rather than hasten the execution Of hi
cherished projects.
Meanwhile the Prussian army has bee
constantly receiving his attention. A
American scholar and careful observe
who spent the winter of 1869 in Berlin
said in my hearing that the continue
drill Of troops which he there witnesse
seemed incredible. And thus through a.
the Empire preparations were being made
and when Bismarck was ready, Leopol
of Hohenzollern the royal house {
Prussia-was allowed to become a candi
date for the Spanish throne. France too
the bait, and the royal dignity of KIN
William at Ems, INSPIRED, no doubt, b
his crafty minister, fastened the Frenc
declaration of war.
That the causes of the war which hay
now been indicated are the true one, so IA
as relates to Prussia, we are fully persuad
ed, and for these reasons: They are i
harmony with the well known history {
Bismarck's treatment of Austria fror
1862 to 1866; as French correspondent
of a London paper says II am not sur