Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-07-19
War in Europe.

ulo dOblOH VI Hpdlb, VI VI OSu' LlIlJ !
rather, is very distasteful to France
and her emperor and before any action
is taken in the without wait
ing even to see whether the Cortcs will
accept him or not, Napoleon flies into a
most ungovernable rage at Prussia, de-
claring that it is at her sole instigation
that Leopold is offered the candida
ture; that it is an insult to France to
offer that throne to a German prince,
and that his candidature must be with
drawn Immediately or war will ensue.
Prussia is calm and refuses to act in
the matter, saying that it is no con-
Germ Of hers what Leopold does; he
is invited TO be candidate By Gen.
Prim; he is Of age and has the right
to act for himself; he does not belong
tn the royal family; furthermore she
has given no advice relative to it, and
shall not interfere now. Notwith.
standing this explanation, Napoleon
goes ahead in his warlike prepare
tons with an energy and apparent
earnestness worthy his great uncle,
while the sound of martial tumult is
heard at all the French arsenals and
military encampments. What neces-
sity is Chere for Napoleon to raise
such clamor over an act of so minor
Importance as the calling Of an OBJ
scuro prince to the throne Of q third
rate power? None. 1t is but con-
venient excuse to pay off an old grudge
which he owes Prussia for the sad les
son she taught him few years ago at
Sadowa and other bloody battle fields.
This is his first opportunity France has
had to recover the prestige lost then.
France is FESTIVE; she exhibits strong
symptoms Of another of her popular
revolutions, to overturn a throne or
two. To save himself and the throne
for his sou, is Napoleon's ambition.
This he reasons can best be done by
occupying the French mind with a
foreign war, and when his legions re-
turn flushed with victory, he will be
more popular than ever, and the Ma
poleonic dynasty firmly established.
But if her armies are beaten-what
then? Another "reign of terror" in
France! the rabble triumphant the
throne overturned and her emperor an
exile again If Napoleon goes to
war now he must be victorious or he
loses all. The French people are in
no mood to stand defeat.
France counts 4l4,632 soldiers on
the peace footing, 647,271 of a field
army, or $4,000 men in all for her
war strength. Of these 10000 men
are in a condition to take the field at
any moment. Prussia has 726,000
men on the peace, or 100000 on
the war footing, with 100000 now
ready for service. North Germany
going with Prussia, has 315,627 on
the peace, 551,993 on the field, OF
944,321 on the war footing, of whom
$4,000 are instantly available This
would place at the disposal of Prus
STA $4,000 men for the first moment
and 1,364,320 in reserve. Of the
powers which are liable to be draw
into the melee, Russia has 100000
men ready for immediate service il
Europe, Austria 100000, the SoutE
German States 100000, Italy $50,
900, Sweden and Denmark about so,
900.
The Boston Journal has the follow
ing review of the situation up to las
Thursday
Matters look worse again in Europe
The reported withdrawal of Prince Leo
pold from the candidature for the Spanish
thrOne-which had been reputed to be tn,
real and sole cause of disturbance-doe
not meet the requirements of France
That power seems to have assumed thro'
out that Prussia was the responsible party
for Prince Leopold's attitude, and conse
quently his withdrawal amounts to moth
ing, unless Prussia avows it and make
proper amends for her course. France i
even said to go farther and to exact OF
Prussia that Prince Hohenzollern's renun
citation be made perpetual, and that a roy
al veto be applied to any fresh approach t
the Prince on the subject of the Spanish
crown. 1t is notsurprising that the Kin
of Prussia not only declined to give an
swer to these propositions, but even to re
ceive the French ambassador bearin
them.
According to all appearances this mean
war. If the French government submit
to this apparent snubbing, it will evince
remarkable change from the spirit in whic
1t has hitherto conducted the pending con
trovelsy. If Louis Napoleon original
designed playing mere piece of bravadC
for the sake oil recovering the prestige los
in former encounters with Prussia. he hs
gone too far to recede, for the French na
ton have plunged into this war Juror wit
momentum which can hardly be arreste
or diverted. This is tie aspect of thing
on the surface, as seen at this distance.
What are the real facts of the case ma
only become known when the truth o
history" is thrown upon them. The cours
of France is only iustifable on the suppC
sition that Prussia has been guilty of d.
plicity thus far. If this is the case, it
manifest that any declarations the latt'
may now make at the dictation of Franc
would be ENTHUSIASTICALLY, and Intellectual
stave off hostilities for any length of tim
On the other hand, if the suspicious {
France are unfounded, then she acts pr
cisely as II she meant to force instant w
upon Prussia, and if one pretext did n
answer, another should. Without attemp
ing TO pronounce upon the comparative a
countability of the two parties-except
say that France appears to be the aegre
sort now looks very much as if Il
peace of Europe has little or nothing
hope from these mutually distrustful' Al
tagonistic and angry Powers. The gre
neutral governments of Europe, combin,
with whatever of Independent public o
inion can be brought TO bear upon the di
putants, constitute the only barriers again
the influences now running so swiftly
terrible bloodshed. There are still hop
that they may prevail, but we wish tn
were stronger.