The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1870-07-21
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We present our readers this morning
with . mass of European dispatches, re-
ferring to the hostile movements Of the
two belHgerent Powers. There is MOTH
ing very exciting in them; but they go to
show that the impending struggle will be
a war of Titans. We perhaps know more
about the preparations of France than
those of Prussia. The reticence OF the
latter is national; whilst French garrulity
| compels us to select from a vast amount
Of badinage such relations n bear in-
ternal evidence of fact.
It will be remarked that France is fully
impressed with the value OF time; n
did not sven wait for the formal declara-
ton of war to mass large bodies Of troops
upon the strategic points. Prussia has
been no less alive to the occasion, and
was reported two days since to have
made an offensive movement upon the
frontier, near Cologne. Both nations
are in splendid fighting condition, and
their strength is not far from equal.
Time is of the first Importance to France.
and the success of the opening campaign
will in a great measure depend on her
prompt celebrity Of movement. II is init
mated that she will throw at once a great
corps-d'armee across the Rhine, and oc-
cupy a position near Frankfort. This
would imply q flank movement after
wards to cut off the Southern Germanic
States from the Northern Confederation,
and force the war upon Prussian terri
tory proper. Such a movement, sup
ported by columns piercing the frontiers
by way Of Holland and Belgium, would
restrain Prussia within her own do
minions proper. and possibly encourage
the formation of a French party in the
wavering States. Belgium can not look
with unconcern upon a war. which if it
lasts, must drag her into its complica-
tons. But she will doubtless be gov
erned by prudence, and at the proper
time throw her weight into the scale in
of the nation most likely to conquer
in the end. Her interest lies with
success.
Napoleon is wisely particular about
conciliating the Southern German States.
He will hold them in negotiation until
he has reached a position in which he
can dictate. With Prussia and the
North German Confederation single
handed, his armies should not be
overnumbered. His total availa-
BILE force, ready to be modified at once,
about $500 men. Prussia
including some Of the princi-
bound TO her by secret and open
nearly a million. But diplomacy
and intrigue, of which Napoleon and
his diplomats are the most consummate
masters, may render some of these indie
pendent contingents unwieldy and I'M
In c~ompactness and oneness
of purpose the French army will surpass
in effectiveness that Of the miscellaneous
levies of William, outside of his own
army proper. German c~ontingents have
been difficult to manage. and are
very troublesome and punctilious at best.
If King William can infuse into these
troops the broad spirit of national ami
nation. he may bid defiance to the petty
and obstructive etiquette of their lead
ers. But Napoleon will probably play
upon this important weakness with his
usual cunning and success.
On the sea, France is, beyond all odds,
superior. Her navy has greatly i'm
proved since our Rebellion, and she has
now no less than 331 steamers of wal
ready for service. rsf9@
But it is on land where the decisive
contest of arms will take place, and
however we might now speculate upon
its results, IN accident of war might
at any moment change the whole COM
plexion of the situation before a single
important battle had been fought.