The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-11-11
Prospect of Another War.
Russia ReOrganizing Her Army--A Men
.aeing Movement.

possibility of doubt that Russia is
preparing for war. The purport of
the Gspatch is that the army of Rus
sia to be not only completely reor-
gained, but enormously increased as
While and strengthened in its move
mems. The whole people are to be
traind to arms, after the model of
Prussia. Such additions are TO be
mad, to the army, that in time of
war he total force available for i'm
medite use will not be under one
milliM six hundred thousand men.
So thorough and complete is the
reform introduced, that it is reason
able % conclude that in the event of
invason, every able-bodied Russian
will virtually be p soldier. The new
arrangement makes provision for
peace times but the new army on
peace footing will be formidable
enough for war purposes, @
What does this new movement in
Russia mean 2 That is the question
which most people, in running over
the figures of our special dispatch viii
thit morning ask. The simplest
answer that can he given to the ques-
ton is-it means war. 1t has been
quiet manifest to the thoughtful
observers for some time past, that
the late Franco Prussian war had
not pacified war-lil1e spirits in Europe.
1t was gain certainly to find that
France was put under bonds to keep
the peace. But all that France lost
Germany gained. The centre of
power was transferred from Paris to
Berlin. The late conferences held at
Gastein and Salzburg encouraged the
feeling that the purposes of Bismarck
had not been exhaustiEely carried
out, that some work remained to be
done, and that it was likely to be
done with as little delay as possible.
1t was known that Russia was not
quite satisfied with the result. of the
the war. 1t has since come to light
that bismarck bought Russia before
the wan, as he once bought Austria,
and as lie once bought France, and
that Russia has no reason yet to
boast that she has been paid in better
coin than either of the other two
powers. In plain terms, Russia and
Germany are not agreed. Bismarck
has made sure the alliance of Austria;
and Russia to-day finds herself abso-
lutelv isolated in Europe. France
is her only possible ally but poor
France, now that she begins to feel
the weight of her enormous debt, is of
the opinion that war might increase
rather than diminish her troubles.
Denmark dare not move. Sweden, if
she finds it impossible to maintain
absolute neutrality, will boldly es-
pouse the cause of Germany and fight
for the restoration of her long lost
provinces to the north of the Baltic.
Great Britain, of course, will content
herself by looking on. is our con
fident belief that the next war will be
between Russia and Germany, The
presumption is that Austria will fight
on the side of Germany, and it is not
impossible that France, encouraged
by the hope of getting rid of her
indemnity, will espouse the cause of
Russia.
A cause of quarrel between Russia
and Germany will be easily found
when required. A Prince of the
House of Hohenzollern rules on the
lower Danube Rotlmania is a barrier
wall between Russia and Turkey.
Austria is in trouble with her Sclayes.
In Austria or Roumania trouble might
arise at any moment sufficient to
bring Germany and Russia into actual
conflict. 1t is suspected by many
it is said to be known for certain in
some quarters-tha Bismacrk intends
to play Il bold part in the next great
conflict. In Europe, Germany has no
rival but Russia. Determined to
leave Germany mistress of Europe
and to establish an empire more pow
erful than that of Charlemagne, it is
Bismarck's intention, so it is said, to
proclaim the independence of Poland.
To this end, he will part with that
portion of Poland which Prussia owns.
Austria, it is said, is willing to make
n similar sacrifice. 1t is known that
some time since. when France was i'll
her agony, the head centres of the
secret societies of Poland, instructed
the Poles in France to hold off, to
fight no more for France, and for the
reason that all hopes for the restora-
ton of the Sarmatian kingdom CEN
tired in Berlin, not in Paris. 1t is
well known how the Poles fought in
the armies of the First Napoleon. It
well known how hopefully they looked
for time to the Third Napoleon. It
requires not be told how in both cases,
they were received. If Bismarck can
rally the Poles around him, Austria,
fighting heartily in the same cause,
Russia will not have u shadow of a
chance of success. It would seem
strange to see Poland restored as one
of the Kingdoms of Europe; but it
would not be more strange than many
things which have happened in this
eventfm age, Most certainly the
Polish kingdom. restored under a
Hohenzollem, would be a powerful
barrier wall between Russia and Ger
many. The restoration Of Poland