The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-18
pailp argus.
THR EUROPEAN WAR.

$500 S10A nav +" Ah'
Prince Leopold has spoken his piece and
retired, and the curtain has been drawn
upon the European war scene. Moltke has
been oloseted with old King William, and the
Prussian troops are already picketted along
the Rhine and behind are moving columns
wild with popular passion. Since the sigma
ture of the Treaty of Prague, Count Bis
marks government has been preparing for
. war with France. Under the fifth article
of this Treaty which was concluded between
Austria and Prussia under the direct super.
vision of france, Prussia bound herself to
accept from Austria ell the Austrian claims
upon the allegiance of Northern Schleswick
subject to the express condition that, "if by
free voting the districts of Northern Schles
wick shall manifest the wish TO be united TO
Denmark, the districts in question shall be
coded to Denmark" The honor of France
was engaged to secure the ful6llment of this
condition. It has never been fulfilled. The
Prussisn government has evsded every sp'
peal for its fulfillment, whether made by
France, by Austria, by Denmark, or by The
people of Schlesw wick themselves.
This fact has stood out in both reiief our
inc the fopr WARS rs provocation from
Berlin which all French hss recognized' anu
against which the government OF france
has never ceased to raise voice OF protest
and of warning. This fact will now be
dressed home upon the Prussian govern
ment for explanation and sd ustment. l,
gives Louis Napoleon & chance to unite his |
people and down ell discen,ions, by making
it appear they are fighting not for the I'm
peraists, but for the radical republicans of
Frsnce-not for the Bourbon dynasty, but
French honor-to wipe out Prussian con
tempt for France. Behind the French
columns there is also the same popular
passion that sctustes the Prussians.
If Prussia has been threatening France
for four years past, for four ears, also, has
threatened France been strsning with ILL.,
concealed anger at her leash. Ii is need
less to recspitulate Gil the occasions, great
and small, of reciprocal provocstion given
or sought during this time by the two
powers. It is sufficient to know that both
sides have longed for presext for war, have
been preparing for it, and are now in the field.
Prussia, with her welltrsined soldiery,
must now meet the fiery compact nation of
France, and not the ill.orgsnized empire of
Austria. Count Bismsrk has been trying
10 gain time as he did in 1866, while France
has been promptly moving forward her
troops, and perhaps, ere this, these two
clouds of war have come together
For four years past, Prussia aud the
states annexed to Prussia have been ruled by
the sword as insolently were these United
States during the civil war-as insolently
and under substantially the same protect.
As Americans we're invited to sacrifice their
personal liberties to "the life of the nation,
so have Germans been asked to lay their
rights and their private selfrespect upon the
altar of the unity of the Fathesland." The
situation IS grave one for Prussia,
and the chief speculation in this country is /
the position these German states and the /
other powers will take in the coming
struggle.
From the best information We have, it is
probable that Prussia will not only have to
fight France, but Austria and some of the
states Of Southern Germany will threaten !
her, and thereby distribute the forces which .
she would otherwise send in body against |
the French. On the sea, Prussia will be /
sheatened BY Denmark, il not by the whole |
force of the Scsdinavisn navy. On the other
hand, she has powerful friends also, and /
Russia and even England will come to her .
rescue long before the struggle ends. Best
OF all, however, is q just cause and the |
sympsthies of the civilized world, which, at
Prussia. To be right, in any fight, goes a
long way with the Germans. We're they
unit, as they unfortunately are not, the
world might look confidently to speedy
termination of this war, and the pu ishment
OF those who, by the pretensions, will for
ever disturb the pesce of the world, so long
as a chance is left them to dominate over /
their neighbors.
Such seem to be the situation of affairs
to-day, and such the sympathies of the people
and the probable results. Whatever they
De, good must result 10 this country.