Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-07-22
The European War.

The war IN Europe has begun with
suddenness that startles the world. Ma
poleon has declared war against Prussia,
has marched 100000 men to the frontier
and the Prussians are preparing for de-
tense as fast as possible. Both armies ap'
pear to be concentrating in the neighbor-
hood Of Metz, a fortified city within the
department Of Moselle, now belonging to
France. The French declaration of war
was made last Friday, the 18th, and was
based on the following Insignificant causes:
l. The insult offered at Ems at Count
Benedict, and its approval by the Prus-
sian government. 2. The refusal of the
King of Prussia to compel the withdrawal
Of Prince Leopolds name as candidate
for the Spanish throne. 3. The fact
that the King persisted in giving the
Prince liberty to accept the crown.
Unless other nations become engaged
the war will be short and decisive one.
France is doubtless master on the sea, and
this may weaken Prussia still more by
compelling her to violate the neutrality
that has been declared by Belgium. On
the land the two powers are about equal,
and each can bring into the field within
month seven hundred thousand effective
soldiers.
No army in the world can be moved so
rapidly as the Prussian. A corps can be
seized any morning and flung straight out
to battle, as man would fling hand
grenade. They are always prepared
Their cartridges packed, their food ready,
their medicine chests full !; and when the
bugle calls to battle, they spring to the
point of danger as suddenly as fire engine
rushes with it's men when the fire. bell
strikes.
In war between nations of such gigan
tic resources as France and Prussia, it be
comes matter of general interest and OF
some Importance to know which is in the
right and which power has the sympathy
of other nations. Thus far the American
and English Press throw the entire blame
on Napoleon, who they say has needlessly
and without just cause, involved the ma
tons Of Europe in war. England appears
10 desire to remain neutral, but this it APP
pears difficult to do, and the latest reports
say that she will occupy Belgian with
troops. The sympathy Of the people is
with Prussia.
Austria is conceded to favor France
rather than Prussia. The war with Prus
STA is of such recent date, and her sigma
defeat at the battle of Sodowa, so ranking
will take sides against Prussia if other
powers interfere.
Complications may arise which will in
volve Spain, Italy, and Russia in the con
test. AS for the government Of the United
States, it will carry out the traditional
policy Of the nation, that of strict neutral
ity, unless, as rumored, Napoleon intends
selling Cuba in case Spain shows any
sympathy with Prussia. In that case thu
United States will be compelled to inter
fere, and President Grant is reported a
saying that in such an event he would fee
called upon to enforce the Monroe doctrine
The moral sympatbies of our people will
be extended to Prussia; and this for th
reason that Prussia is in the right, ant
Napoleon III. palpably and atrociously in
the wrong With all this moral weight
of nearly the whole of Christendom against
him, and with a military power opposed
to him no less formidable than his own, it
would seem to be probable that Napoleon
BBI. must 60 down before the enemies he
has made, in deserved and most disas-
trous defeat
And now the wives and mothers along
the Rhine may 60 into mourning, and give
their hands to the dreadful work of scra-
ping lint and making bandages. And The
whole civilized world must sit silent and
helpless, while innocent victims are
thrown into the bloody ARENA, and the
butchery goes on!