The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-08-04

contest with France.
II is very we'll for nations to proclaim
their neutrality. but any person who
has altentively studied the map Of
Northern Europe will see how diff
cult il will be for Belgium, Holland,
and Denmark to refrain from taking
sides with one or tho other nation in
war Of any length, or for France or
Prussia to avoid using the two former
for battle grounds, as has hitherto
been done. History repeats itself every
half century, aud there is no reason to
suppose that acts which have been
done before will not he committed
again.
Then il is by no means improbable
that England will become involved 10
the present war, notwithstanding her
interest would seem to tell her to keep
out Of 1t. Sho has certain concern
in Belgium, aud has already notified
tho French that she will not allow
violation Of the territory Of that King
dom
The people and government Of Grca,
Britain are at this moment inccnscd
against the French government for the
apparent duplicity in proposing to
Prussia secret treaty for the absorp-
ton of Belgium. The British navy
Is being put in complete state Of
preparation, and the British sailors
feel confident that they can soon dis
pose Of the entire Gallic feet.
The temptation to inaict so serious
an injury on her natural enemy will
not be lost on England, provided ~hc
finds that her commerce will not suii.
cr in the struggle.
Having much larger navy than
France, Euglaud can have little to
fear on that score, and there is strong
probabilty..that in three months from
the time when the fight commences in
earnest she will be involved in the
difficulties.
Russia will probably seize the op.
portunity TO repay the French for the
humiliation sho experienced ut Sc
bastopol, and having dealt her enemy
the severest blow she cau-viz help
ing to destroy her navy-shG will
again commence her approach toward
Turkey in Europe. which country ira.
dition has trught Russia will eventu.
ally be her property.
In the end the States of Germany
will probably be united in great con-
federation somewhat similar to our
own. France will be confined to her
present limits, and will probably for
many years be in u condition that will
prevent her becoming aggressive, aud
England will once more be mistress OF
he seas, title which she cannot
claim while the French have a navy
SO evenly matched with her own.
Thesc are mere speculations, but
the probabilities are that they will be
fulfilled.
la the meantime wo must profit by
the experience Of others, and it will!
bc most fortunate for US il rc can
keep out Of difficulties and extend to
our naturalizei citizens the protection
we constantly promise but are so lit.
tic able to give.
The sympathics OF a majority Of
America will DO with the FathcrIand,
for our German population far out
numbers the French.
The former came to this country
10 find home, the latter with the hope
of finally making money enough to re-
turn and cnd their days 10 Ia belle
France.
1t is difficult to forcscc how far the
sympathies Of our adopted German
citizens will affect the politics Of this
country or the complexion of Con
gress, or how the President may be
influenced thereby,
1t depends on these circumstances
whether we shall remain absolutely
neutral or not, aud also IN no. small
degree on the manner in which our
commerce is treated during o long
war.
by the treaty of Paris the bclliger-
ents have b)unl themselves TO res.
pect the property Of neutrals carried
in enemie S vessels or enemics' prop.
erty in neutral bottoms, but when war
commences all treaties are at an end
Such concession as the. above
might prove very advantageous to
France aud hurtful to Prussia, or
vice versa and by little wise legis.
lation on the part of Congress we
might again regain our carrying trade
and invest largely in ships, We should
be- subjected to great Inconvenience if
either Power chose to disregard a
treaty to which We were no. a party.
Were we well prepared to protect
our rights, and had we shown auy 10.
tention Of keeping pace with foreign
powers by building an iron navy, the
presence Of our war ships abb cad
might command respect but the
p3NibiIity is that VIC may have re.
petition Of the Berlin aud Milan de-
crees, or ,the Orders in Council, aud
may yet behold our small remnant of
commerce swept from the ocean by
French cruisers, as il wa, Of yore, aud
we in no position to prevent it.
II in the general melee we do come
to grief, the people may thank those
gentleman who made themselves SO
conspicuous 10 Congress in opposing
appropriations necessary to build up
our navy. The weakness OF our na-
tional deiences was laid before them